ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Affairs Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Thursday that Pakistan’s expanded cooperation with China in the fields of counter-terrorism, security, intelligence sharing, and trade would arguably be a defining partnership in the 21st century for Pakistan.
He expressed these views at a high-level meeting with China’s Minister for State Security Geng Huichang who heads a security delegation that includes officials from counter-terrorism, technical and intelligence divisions.
The meeting covered a broader scope of discussions for increased coordination between the security establishments of the two countries in intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism coordination, and security of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
“Secure and successful completion of the CPEC would add new dimensions to our friendship, cementing our economic as well as strategic bond,” Nisar said and maintained that the CEPC would also help Pakistan and China expand their trade footprint in the region and beyond.
“CPEC is not only the flagship project between the two countries but also focuses on the strategic depth in Sino-Pakistan relationship,” he was quoted as saying by the spokesperson for the ministry. He said that both the sides must be cautious about the regional and the global powers who do not want to see the CPEC for their own interests.
He reiterated that Pakistan, at all levels, was committed to thwart all conspiracies against the CPEC. He said that the two sides should exponentially enhance intelligence sharing precisely in the fight against terrorism, extremism and countering violence. He said that Pakistan would continue its fight against all terrorist groups who creates disturbance and generates violence.
He said that Pakistan was committed to not allow any group to use its territory for violence abroad. Commenting on the ongoing fight against the terrorist groups, he said that the Zarb-e-Azb security operation’s dividends have started reaping its benefits.
Regarding the security of the Chinese citizens working across Pakistan in different development projects, including the CPEC, Nisar pointed out that a Special Security Division was already working under the Pakistan Army to secure the lives of the Chinese workers.
Huichang appreciated efforts in fight against terrorism especially the gains achieved under the security operation. The two sides also agreed to further strengthen the information and intelligence sharing through extended technical cooperation and coordination.
