Pakistan-China relationship is unique and robust: COAS Munir.
Says ties have proven its resilience in the face of all challenges.
Friendship stood test of change of int’l landscapes: Chinese diplomat.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir has said that bilateral ties between Pakistan and China are “unique” and the militaries of the two countries are “brothers in arms”.
He made these remarks while addressing the 96th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China, which was commemorated at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
The military’s media wing said the army chief was the chief guest on the occasion while Pang Chunxue, Chargé d’Affaires of the embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Major General Wang Zhong, Defence Attaché, Chinese Embassy officials and officers from tri-services of Pakistan attended the event.
While highlighting various facets of the deep-rooted ties between the two states, militaries, and the people, the COAS was quoted as saying: “Pakistan-China relationship is unique and robust that has proven its resilience in the face of all challenges.”
“The PLA and Pakistan Army are brothers in arms and our relationship will continue to contribute towards safeguarding our collective interests”, Gen Munir added.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chinese diplomat thanked the army chief for hosting the event for the 96th anniversary of the founding of the PLA.
“This all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan has stood the test of the time and change of international landscapes”, the Chinese diplomat remarked.
“China & Pakistan have just jointly celebrated the 10th anniversary of the launch of CPEC and in the past months, COAS and other military leaders paid successful visits to China, which has strongly promoted the relationship between the two militaries”, she added.
The COAS felicitated the PLA and lauded its role in China’s defence, security and nation-building, the ISPR statement concluded.
Last week, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng arrived in Islamabad on a three-day official visit to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Addressing the ceremony, the Chinese dignitary termed CPEC an important project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), saying that the multibillion-dollar project significantly changed the lives of the people of Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had said the two countries were entering the second phase of CPEC which would help promote investment, progress and prosperity not only for Pakistan but also for the entire region.
In his message to mark the decade of the CPEC, President Xi Jinping reiterated China’s unwavering support to Pakistan, saying: “No matter how the international landscape may change, China will always stand firmly with Pakistan”.
During the Chinese vice premier’s visit, both countries also signed six MoUs aiming to promote bilateral cooperation.
The coordination committees of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are scheduled to convene today at the Governor’s House in Lahore to deliberate on power-sharing arrangements in Punjab.
The PPP delegation would comprise Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Makhdoom Syed Ahmed Mahmood, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Hassan Murtaza, and Ali Haider Gilani.
Ishaq Dar, Azam Nazir Tarar, Rana Sanaullah, Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, and Maryam Aurangzeb will represent the PML-N.
The conference will discuss local issues in Punjab and offer a forum for the PPP to express its concerns over its collaboration with PML-N in the province.
Both parties seek to fortify their partnership and optimize governance techniques in Punjab.
Sheikh Rasheed voiced his worries about the nation’s ongoing political dilemma while speaking outside the Anti-Terrorism Court.
According to Sheikh Rasheed, a committee was established to negotiate, but the process has not produced any tangible results. In order to emphasize the seriousness of the situation, he said, “Political conditions are extremely bad.”
He made the joke, “Even after war, if negotiations fail, then it will all come down to judo karate,” in reference to the next steps.
“Everyone there prays for Pakistan’s betterment,” Sheikh Rasheed, who had returned from Saudi Arabia, said. He emphasized the necessity for the nation’s circumstances to improve and stabilize.
Assad Qaiser, a former speaker and PTI leader, had earlier called on Speaker Ayaz Sadiq of the National Assembly to discuss the official start of talks with the government.
The two leaders shared their opinions on bringing parties together on matters of national importance and reducing political tensions and conflict.
“I will persuade my people, you persuade the hardliners in your party,” Ayaz Sadiq said to Assad Qaiser.
The party’s founder is in jail, and the PTI leadership has asked to meet with him. “We will continue to confer with him,” Assad Qaiser declared.
Earlier, PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai stated that if the discussions don’t begin, a campaign of civil disobedience will begin on December 14.
Speaking to the media Regarding the meetings, Yousafzai claimed that the government ministers were making insincere remarks.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) conducted a hearing about the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) plea for the revocation of Bushra Bibi’s bail.
The court, led by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, rejected the FIA’s petition during the hearing.
Judicial Proceedings
Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb sought information regarding Bushra Bibi’s location, to which her attorney, Barrister Salman Safdar, affirmed her attendance in court.
The judge urged the counsel to regard the matters with gravity, underscoring the necessity of adherence to trial protocols.
The court sought details about instances where Bushra Bibi had been exempted from attending trial hearings and clarified that if the High Court grants bail and the accused fails to appear, the trial court holds the authority to cancel the bail.
Justice Aurangzeb assured that such actions would not amount to contempt of the High Court’s order.
Based on these considerations, the court closed the proceedings and dismissed the FIA’s plea.