January 10, 2022
2 mins read

Imran to seek investments during China visit next month

Imran Khan may become one of the first foreign leaders to visit China after the start of the pandemic…reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is scheduled to visit China next month as the incumbent government is facing economic challenges and massive criticism by the opposition over mini-budget, rising trade deficit and inflation in the country, reported local media.

With the visit, Imran Khan may become one of the first foreign leaders to visit China after the start of the pandemic, reports quoted officials in Islamabad as saying.

China hasn’t hosted foreign leaders since the start of the pandemic and the initial lockdown of Wuhan in January 2020. President Xi Jinping has also not travelled out of China for close to two years, since a visit to Myanmar in mid-January 2020, it was reported.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had ordered the removal of red-tape hindering Chinese investment in Pakistan, as he prepares for the visit to further cementing the bilateral ties, The Express Tribune quoted Special Assistant to Pakistan’s Prime Minister on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Khalid Mansoor as saying on Wednesday, reported The Express Tribune.

Mansoor also said that Imran Khan ordered the removal of 37 regulations to ensure one-window operation for foreign investors. He added that the prime minister would personally be taking briefings on progress on CPEC projects every 15 days, said The Express Tribune.

ALSO READ: Imran fails to bring economic progress to Pakistan

It comes as Pakistan trade deficit surged to USD 24.79 billion during the first half of the current fiscal year, mainly on the back of a 63 per cent year-on-year increase in imports. The surge in trade deficit came from a massive rise in exports.

Data for the July-December period showed that imports jumped to USD 39.91 bn from USD 24.47 bn a year ago. In contrast, exports during July-December also grew 25 per cent to USD 15.13bn compared to the year-ago period, reported Dawn.

Pakistan is currently marred with financial challenges with opposition targetting the government over the mini-budget. PML-N Chief Shahbaz Sharif and PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto have criticised the ruling government for massive inflation in the country and had demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan over his government’s failure to tackle the challenges. (ANI)

Previous Story

Trapped in cars, 21 tourists freeze to death in Pakistan

Next Story

Raghu Rai: It is not tough to take a beautiful photograph anymore

Latest from Arab News

Saudi ends Kafala system

Saudi Arabia scraps its decades-old Kafala sponsorship system, freeing 13 million migrant workers from restrictive employment controls and marking a major step towards fairer labour rights under Vision 2030….reports Asian Lite News

India, Oman Cement Defence Partnership

The officials of two nations also held talks on capability development, professional military education and new avenues for partnership…reports Asian Lite News The Indian Army and Royal Army of Oman held the

Kerala CM, Bahrain Deputy PM discuss boosting ties

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s Bahrain visit deepens Kerala’s engagement with the Gulf, focusing on trade, investment, and diaspora welfare as both sides reaffirm shared interests in development and cultural exchange. Kerala Chief

Oman Gears Up to Greet Kerala CM

The 3-day Indian Community Fest will lighten up with 700 artistes and a herculean task of handling over 50,000 crowd in Amerat Park, Muscat, will be a litmus test for the organisers

Kerala CM begins Gulf tour

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan begins Gulf tour in Bahrain, engaging expatriate community and promoting welfare initiatives for NRKs, strengthening diaspora ties and showcasing Kerala’s development achievements….reports Asian Lite News Kerala Chief Minister
Go toTop

Don't Miss

India’s omission from US CPC list shocks Pakistan

Pakistan was re-designated into the list of CPC by the

Concerns Mount Over Underreported China Defence Budget

The actual defence spending claimed by US intelligence authorities would