Islamabad, Asif Ali Zardari, the Former President of Pakistan and current President of the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, has expressed his deep sorrow over the passing of Li Keqiang, the former Premier of the People’s Republic of China. In a heartfelt message, President Zardari reminisced about the strong bilateral ties between Pakistan and China, highlighting key moments from Li Keqiang’s tenure that solidified the friendship between the two nations.
According to a news release by the Pakistan Peoples Party, President Zardari specifically recalled the former Chinese Premier’s first visit to Pakistan in 2013. During this visit, President Zardari had the honor of presenting Li Keqiang with the Nishan-e-Pakistan, a prestigious award symbolizing the “all-weather” friendship between Pakistan and China. Li Keqiang’s decision to make Pakistan the destination of his first trip abroad after assuming office was a significant gesture, underscoring the importance of Pakistan-China relations. This visit also marked a pivotal moment in the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an initiative led by President Zardari that represented a tangible manifestation of the historic cooperation between the two countries. During their time together, the leaders signed several bilateral cooperative documents spanning trade, economy, education, and infrastructure.
President Zardari extended his condolences to the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government, and the people of China, reflecting the enduring bond and mutual respect between the two nations.