ISLAMABAD: Shehryar Khan Afridi, the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and a former interior minister, suggested on Sunday creating a trilateral parliamentary committee to support counterterrorism initiatives in China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Mr. Afridi paid a visit to Shi Yuanqiang, the deputy chief of mission (DCM) of the Chinese embassy, expressing his condolences for the loss of life in the recent terrorist assault on Chinese engineers. In addition, he delivered a condolence message from Imran Khan, the former prime minister and founding chairman of the PTI.
Shi Yuanqiang thanked Mr. Afridi and the PTI leader for coming to the embassy and delivering condolences, according to the PTI media wing.
China places great importance on the efforts made by the Pakistani government and people to support and safeguard Chinese workers and businesses, as stated by the deputy chief of mission.
Shehryar Afridi, the PTI leader, talks with the Chinese deputy chief of mission and expresses sympathy over the passing of Chinese engineers in Bisham.
“China and Pakistan are steadfast allies, and the terrorist attacks will only fortify our determination to combat the threat of terrorism head-on,” Mr. Yuanqiang stated.
“Neither terrorism nor conspiracies can dent the trust and brotherhood between China and Pakistan; rather, these acts only strengthen the resolve of the people and governments of both countries to fight the menace of terrorism,” Mr. Afridi said during the meeting, adding that “China and Pakistan enjoy an iron brother bond that will further cement with each passing day.”
Mr. Afridi went on to say that poverty was a significant problem.
“Terrorists misled the public and managed to attack Pakistani security forces and Chinese installations due to rampant poverty, lack of infrastructure, and lack of employment opportunities in bordering areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces,” the official stated.
According to the PTI chairman, Chinese engineers came to Pakistan to help build infrastructure and dams for the sake of the Pakistani people, but despite their sacrifices, terrorists assaulted them in Bisham.
Mr. Afridi urged the governments of China and Pakistan to concentrate on building infrastructure in Pakistani and Afghan border regions as well as on educating and hiring young people, since these measures could aid in the battle against terrorism in remote and impoverished tribal areas.
Additionally, Mr. Afridi advocated for strengthening ties between the parliamentarians of China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. He suggested the formation of a trilateral parliamentary committee, which would allow the elected officials of these three nations to collaborate in order to raise public awareness and improve the effectiveness of counterterrorism efforts.
Shehryar Khan Afridi wrote his sympathies in the embassy condolence book. Yang Nuo, the counsellor for the Chinese embassy, was also present on the occasion.
