After Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as Pakistan’s 23rd prime minister on April 11, congratulatory letters from heads of state from around the world, including Russia, began to stream in
On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the newly appointed prime minister, saying that he hopes Shehbaz’s activities will “contribute to the further development of Pakistan-Russia cooperation and partner interaction on the Afghan settlement as well as countering international terrorism,” according to a statement from Russia’s embassy in Pakistan.
Prior to Putin, Shehbaz had received congratulations from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his election.
Shehbaz was sworn in as Prime Minister on April 11, 2022, after the PTI’s Imran Khan was successfully expelled through a no-confidence resolution, making him the first prime minister to be deposed through democratic means.
Shehbaz receives a visit from a Chinese diplomat.
Meanwhile, China’s Charge d’Affaires Pang Chunxue made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House, according to the PM’s Office.
In a statement, the PM’s Office said she communicated the Chinese government and leadership’s heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on the prime minister’s inauguration.
The Charge d’Affaires emphasised that the prime minister was seen as a strong and loyal friend of China who was admired and respected in her homeland.
She also praised the prime minister’s efforts to promote China-Pakistan economic cooperation during his time as Punjab’s chief minister.
The prime minister expressed his sincere congratulations and gratitude to the Chinese leadership, recalling his many travels to China, during which he had the pleasure and honour of meeting President Xi Jinping, who had shown a personal interest in improving relations with Pakistan.
The prime minister praised CPEC’s progress as the flagship project of President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative, as well as its significance for Pakistan’s economic growth and prosperity.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accelerating the construction of high-quality CPEC projects and turning them into a symbol of China-Pakistan friendship and cooperation. He emphasised the significance of increased Chinese investment in industrialization, agriculture, and digital technologies.
The prime minister underlined the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s policy and a factor for regional peace and stability, recalling his close cooperation with China as Punjab’s chief minister.
He emphasised that friendship with China was ingrained in the hearts of Pakistanis, and that China was Pakistan’s best ally and partner.
The prime minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to developing the two countries’ win-win economic cooperative partnership.
