RAWALPINDI: Army Chief General Asim Munir is on a four-day official visit to China, announced the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) the other day.
The visit is seen by experts as a significant development for Pakistan, as it seeks to strengthen its alliances and improve its economic and military position amid regional changes. The visit is also a testament to the strong ties between Pakistan and China, which continue to grow stronger with each passing year.
According to ISPR, the visit is aimed at enhancing bilateral military relations between Pakistan and China.
The visit by Army Chief comes after Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif praised Gen Asim Munir’s efforts in securing financial commitments from friendly countries, which is one of the last conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for restoring its lending. Speaking at a meeting of the coalition parties, Shehbaz said that the IMF agreement was in its final phase, and the army chief’s efforts played a crucial role in achieving this milestone.
It is worth mentioning here that the Army Chief has been working diligently to improve Pakistan’s economic situation by securing financial assistance from friendly countries. In January, he travelled to Saudi Arabia and the UAE on his first official visit abroad since his appointment. The ISPR stated that he undertook the visit from January 4 to 10.
The current visit to China is part of Pakistan’s continued efforts to strengthen its bilateral ties with China, which is considered one of its closest allies. China has been a significant source of financial and military aid to Pakistan in recent years. The visit is expected to further enhance cooperation between the two countries in the defense and strategic sectors.
