Sharif hails Pakistan-China strategic ties

Islamabad, July 1: Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed satisfaction over the status of strategic partnership with Beijing, the launch of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Islamabad's membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Speaking at the Foreign Ministry, Sharif appreciated China's role for improving Pak-Afghan relations, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

Sharif visited the ministry to undertake a comprehensive review of Pakistan's foreign policy priorities in the wake of the latest developments in and around the country. reports Xinhua news agency.

"The Prime Minister appreciated China's role for improving Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and also recalled his recent meeting with President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of SCO Summit and their agreement to evolve a bilateral and quadrilateral mechanism for controlling cross-border terrorism," the statement said.

He directed the ministry to prepare initiatives on Afghanistan and also on building economic and trade linkages to promote Pakistan's development.

Sharif underscored the importance of securing peace and stability in the region through sustained dialogue and the high importance that Pakistan attached to its continued partnership with the US.

He reiterated his priority for a peaceful neighbourhood and resolution of disputes through dialogue.