ISLAMABAD (MNN); Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi announced on Friday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to China from May 23 to 26 at the invitation of the Chinese government.
During his weekly media briefing, Andrabi stated that the visit carries special importance as both countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He said the visit would reaffirm the enduring strength of the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic partnership and promote a shared vision for an even closer future relationship between the two nations.
The spokesperson said the prime minister will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Qiang to discuss bilateral ties and cooperation in political, economic and strategic sectors.
According to Andrabi, the visit is expected to deepen political trust, enhance strategic coordination, broaden economic cooperation and further strengthen the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and China.
He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will begin his visit from the Chinese city of Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, where he will chair the Pakistan-China Business-to-Business Investment Conference.
In Beijing, the premier will attend a reception organised by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
During the briefing, Andrabi also responded to questions regarding India rejecting the May 15 supplemental award issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration regarding the Indus Waters Treaty.
He said India’s rejection held “no political or legal value” and maintained that the arbitration mechanism was established under the treaty, making its decisions final and binding.
Andrabi stressed that India’s refusal to participate in the proceedings could not invalidate lawful arbitration. He reiterated Pakistan’s position that the treaty places clear limitations on India’s control over western rivers and added that India’s attempt to place the treaty in abeyance has no legal standing.
Foreign Office spokesperson also urged the international community and the United States to take notice of ongoing human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
He recalled the death anniversaries of Kashmiri leaders Mirwaiz Maulvi Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone, who were killed in 1990 and 2002 respectively.
Paying tribute to Kashmiri martyrs, Andrabi said Pakistan salutes the sacrifices of Kashmiris struggling for their right to self-determination. He described the killings of innocent Kashmiris and their leaders as evidence of the serious human rights situation in occupied Kashmir.
The spokesperson also expressed concern over what he termed politically motivated cases against Kashmiri leaders and accused India of using its judiciary to suppress Kashmiri voices through arbitrary detentions and unfair trials.
He called for the release of political prisoners, human rights defenders and civil society activists in occupied Kashmir and urged the international community to hold India accountable.
Responding to questions about reports of a high-level Pakistani delegation visiting Iran, Andrabi said the Foreign Office could neither confirm nor deny the reports.
He was specifically asked about reports concerning Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir visiting Iran.
The spokesperson also clarified that recent remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio referred to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s visit to Iran.
Andrabi added that Pakistani leaders remain in contact with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as part of ongoing engagement with neighbouring countries.
