Islamabad, August 28: China has reaffirmed its full support to Islamabad on Tuesday, following the rising tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir move, according to a Pakistan official.
Chinese Central Military Commission (CMC) vice-chairman General Xu Qiliang met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday in Islamabad, according to an official statement issued by prime minister office, according to Anadolu Agency.
Khan also briefed Qiliang over the pertaining situations in Kashmir after Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Indian government scrapped Article 370 on August 5 that offered a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
“General Xu Qiliang conveyed cordial greetings of President Xi Jinping, as well as that of Premier Li Keqiang, and reaffirmation of China’s full support to Pakistan, particularly at this crucial juncture,” the statement added.
Noting the time-tested Pakistan-China strategic partnership, Khan conveyed Qiliang’s obligation to the traditional ties of two nations fully supporting each other on core regional and national interest issues.
Qiliang reiterated China’s resolve to closely work together for further bolstering Pakistan-China strategic relationship in wide-range sectors and underscored the need for economic development and stability in the South Asian region.
Pakistan prime minister thanked Beijing for backing his approach to the UNSC. “Curfew in the IoJ&K [Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir] must be immediately lifted and the international human rights NGOs allowed to visit IoJ&K to have an objective assessment of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding there,” Khan stressed.
The “brutal suppression of human rights in IoJ&K” had the potential to spark a wave of extremism and India’s reckless actions could destabilize the region immeasurably, he added.
Qiliang met Pakistan President Arif Alvi at President’s house ‘Aiwan-e-Sadr’ in Islamabad. In a statement by the presidential house, Alvi said Pakistan deeply valued Beijing’s defence cooperation and its support in every event.
Alvi also acknowledged all-weather, time-tested, and unique Pakistan-China friendship, as well as, Beijing’s full support to Pakistan at multilateral events, especially in UNSC post-Indian decision over Kashmir.
“The visiting delegation assured Pakistan of China’s continued support”, the statement concluded.