Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, is set to head Pakistan’s team in the upcoming fifth round of strategic talks with China, as disclosed by informed sources to Business Recorder.
Scheduled for May 14-15, 2024, in Beijing, the fifth round of dialogue will be jointly led by Deputy Prime Minister Dar and China’s Foreign Minister.
A comprehensive review of Pakistan-China bilateral relations encompassing political, defense, socio-cultural, economic, and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) cooperation is on the agenda for the strategic dialogue, sources revealed.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar Assumes Role of Deputy Prime Minister
In line with the preparations, Ishaq Dar will be accompanied by officials from relevant ministries to ensure a thorough discussion with their Chinese counterparts.
Security concerns regarding Chinese nationals working on various CPEC projects will be a key focus during the dialogue, alongside updates on project progress and payment matters concerning Chinese energy companies.
Chinese energy firms have already engaged with the Chinese embassy to address their concerns, highlighted in a recent meeting chaired by Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, who is expected to accompany Ishaq Dar.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has tasked the Power Division with devising concrete solutions to address Chinese apprehensions, particularly pertaining to delayed Independent Power Producer (IPP) payments, the Gwadar power plant, and ensuring returns on investments in CPEC projects.
The outstanding amount owed to CPEC power projects stands at Rs 526 billion, attributed mainly to delayed subsidies, seasonal revenue fluctuations, and additional arrears related to specific projects. Various ministries including Finance, Commerce, Interior, Economic Affairs, and others have submitted briefing materials and talking points to MoFA ahead of the dialogue.