URUMQI
Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar arrived in Urumqi, China Thursday for attending the inaugural ceremony of the Central Asian Region Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Institute.
Governor of Xinjiang Province Shohrat Zakir called on the Dar and extended him a warm welcome. He said that the friendship between China and Pakistan is time-tested and the best of the relationships between any two countries of the world.
The visit by the finance minister and his delegation to Xinjiang Province would further enhance the level of cooperation not only between the two governments but also between the people of Xinjiang and people of the bordering areas of Gilgit –Baltistan in Pakistan. He said that the establishment of CAREC Institute would provide a research and knowledge sharing platform for the people of two countries to explore new avenues of development.
Dar thanked the governor for his hospitality and congratulated him for successful inauguration of the CAREC Institute. He said that Pakistan-China friendship enjoys across the board political, institutional and popular support in Pakistan that is unique and sets it apart from relationships with other countries.
Xinjiang Province is contiguous with Pakistan’s Northern Areas and has historical, cultural and trade links, which need further strengthening to declare the same as the Gateway between the two countries.
He also emphasised on the development of rail linkages between the bordering cities of the two countries. The minister thanked the governor for permission to Habib Bank Limited for opening up its branch in Urumqi.
He stated that given the ever-increasing number of Pakistani businessmen engaged in trade in the province of Xinjiang, the opening of a consulate is also a priority for the government of Pakistan.
