By Imran Nasir

ISLAMABAD (TAST) - Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday held a telephonic conversation with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang and discussed the bilateral ties and regional situation. 

In a statement, issued by the premier office, said that Sharif offered his condolences to the Government and people of China and expressed sympathies with the families of victims of the heinous terrorist attack that took place at the Karachi University on April 26, in which three Chinese scholars lost their lives. 

“The Prime Minister strongly condemned the terrorist attack and reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm resolve to hold thorough investigation, to apprehend the perpetrators of this criminal act and to bring them to justice in accordance with our laws,” according to the statement.

Sharif told Li that his country attached the highest importance to the safety, security and protection of all Chinese nationals working in Pakistan on economic projects and institutions. 

He assured Primer Li that his Government was determined to take all necessary measures for their enhanced security and safety in Pakistan. 

“The two Premiers also discussed in detail bilateral matters, while agreeing that Pakistan and China would not allow anyone to harm the time-tested All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries,” it's said.

Sharif's contact with premier Li has made after returning from London where his elder brother Nawaz Sharif reportedly advised him to contact friendly countries for help in the current ongoing economic crisis. 

However, the premier office didn’t share any detail that whether Sharif has sought any help from its close friend and what was his response. 

According to the statement, Sharif thanked Beijing for its firm support to his country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national development and reaffirmed his government’s unwavering support to China on all issues of its core interest. 

“The Prime Minister affirmed his Government’s firm resolve to fast-track both the ongoing as well as the new projects under the transformational China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which had immensely contributed to the socio-economic development of Pakistan and also realize its high-quality development.” 

The Prime Minister underscored the need for both sides to work together and enhance cooperation between the concerned agencies of the two countries to fully operationalize the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) at an early date.