Pakistan, China vow to continue closer cooperation, FM and Chinese envoy visit injured Chinese nationals

Shafqat Ali

ISLAMABAD, July 19: Pakistan and China pledged to continue close cooperation as Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong visited the injured Chinese nationals at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) on Sunday afternoon.

Simultaneously, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said that work on Dasu hydropower project would resume soon as both Pakistan and China remained committed to the timely completion of this project and others being undertaken with Chinese cooperation.

Commenting on a notification by the Chinese company, the spokesperson said: “The Chinese construction company, China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) through its latest notification has declared its previous notice, about contract termination of employment of Pakistani personnel working on Dasu Hydropower Project, null and void.”

He further said matters regarding security and execution of the project were being looked into, and the relevant authorities from Pakistan and China have been in close contact on the same.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Qureshi and Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong visited CMH in the adjacent Rawalpindi city to inquire after the well-being of Chinese nationals injured in Dasu incident. They wished them speedy recovery.

The FM assured the injured Chinese nationals for all out support and medical care. He expressed his satisfaction over the treatment given to them and the recovery being made by the injured Chinese nationals. “Our projects will be completed soon,” he added.

On this occasion, Ambassador Nong Rong said that China and Pakistan would continue to cooperate more closely to face any challenges together.

On arrival, Major General Muhammad Aleem, Commandant CMH apprised the visiting dignitaries of the medical care being provided to the injured. China on Saturday sent investigators to Pakistan to probe the bus explosion.