Chinese PM Li Qiang set to visit Pakistan next month

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang is all set to land in Pakistan next month for a three-day visit to strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations between the two sides, sources said on Wednesday.

During the visit, deals of multi-billion dollar projects are expected to be inked between Beijing and Islamabad.  

It will be the first visit of any Chinese premier to Pakistan in 11 years. 

In May 2013, the then-Chinese PM Li Keiang had visited Pakistan for two days, where he expressed Beijing's interest in the neighbourly country's power generation.

Diplomatic sources said that the visit will consist of two parts. In the first phase, Mr Qiang will meet Pakistani authorities and discuss ways to boost ties between friendly countries.

Meanwhile, the second part of the visit, from October 15 to October 16, will be spent in the ministerial gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Several foreign leaders and ministers, including Indian ministers, will attend the meeting.

Earlier on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch confirmed that Pakistan had invited Indian Premier Narendra Modi to the upcoming SCO meeting in Islamabad.

On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan aims to enhance its collaboration with China in all sectors, including information technology, artificial intelligence, and modern agriculture.