Sindh govt seeks to cement economic, agricultural ties with China

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced his administration’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Beijing in the transportation, energy, and agriculture sectors during a meeting with Chinese Consul General Yang Yundong on Saturday.

This meeting comes almost three weeks after the tragic killing of two Chinese engineers in a Karachi explosion.

The Chief Minister emphasized that China is a vital partner in numerous projects, especially in electricity and coal. “With China’s support, the Sindh government aims to advance agriculture, transport, and other initiatives,” he said in a statement following the meeting.

This discussion occurs against a backdrop of ongoing security concerns for Chinese nationals involved in the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which seeks to enhance Pakistan’s development through energy and infrastructure projects. Militants have repeatedly targeted Chinese workers, raising serious concerns about their safety and the future of Sino-Pak economic cooperation.

Just a day before this meeting, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong called on local authorities to apprehend those responsible for the violent attacks against Chinese citizens.

Given Pakistan’s ongoing economic crisis, officials are eager to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties with China. Earlier this month, reports indicated that a Chinese development association plans to invest up to $13 billion in a free trade zone in Pakistan over the next five years.

The Chinese consul general reiterated the interest of Chinese businesses in collaborating with the provincial government on various projects.