RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif arrived in China today (Wednesday) for a day long visit where he met Chief of General Staff General Fang of the Peoples Liberation Army.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), military’s public affairs wing, the two leaders discussed military to military relations, bilateral security cooperation and all dimensions of long term China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) security.
The Army Chief also held a separate meeting with Party Secretary Xinkiang province, Mr. Zhang Chun Xian in Urumqi.
The two dignitaries discussed Pak-China bilateral relations and regional security issue with particular reference to CPEC completion and security.
Apprehensions with neighbours
Army chief in April this year had accused India of seeking to undermine $46 billion project to build an economic corridor to transport goods from China’s western regions through the port of Gwadar.
Gen Sharif, speaking at a development conference on the impact of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), said the significance of a Pakistan-China economic alliance had “raised eyebrows” in the region.
“In this context, I must highlight that India, our immediate neighbour, has openly challenged this development initiative,” Sharif told the conference in Gwadar.
“I would like to make a special reference to Indian intelligence agency RAW that is blatantly involved in destabilising Pakistan. Let me make it clear that we will not allow anyone to create impediments and turbulence in any part of Pakistan. Therefore, it is important for all to leave behind confrontation and focus on cooperation.”
In March, Pakistan security forces had arrested an Indian spy for RAW in Balochistan, where most of the CPEC is taking shape. He also confessed to spying for RAW.
India later confirmed that the man was a former Indian navy official.
