ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China are pushing to sustain the momentum of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the project enters its second phase, the foreign office said on Wednesday, with the Pakistani deputy prime minister on a visit to Beijing to discuss enhancing trade, including through a major border crossing and a simplified visa regime. 

The multibillion-dollar CPEC initiative in which Beijing has pledged to invest $65 billion in Pakistan spans several phases, each with distinct goals and impacts on the region. The first phase began in 2015 and mainly focused on building critical infrastructure, particularly in the transportation and energy sectors.

The second phase expands the focus to include industrial cooperation, agricultural development and the promotion of social and economic development. This phase is also expected to include the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), efforts to boost green energy production like hydropower and solar energy and initiatives aimed at modernizing agriculture and increasing exports.

According to an official statement, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar discussed issues related to bilateral trade and connectivity in a meeting with Chinese Executive Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang during his ongoing visit to Beijing.

“The two leaders held in-depth discussion on the various aspects of bilateral relations including China Pakistan Economic Corridor (Phase-II), trade, economic cooperation and investment,” the foreign office said in a statement. 

“Connectivity through Khunjerab border crossing and a simplified visa regime were also discussed. They agreed to sustain the growing momentum of Pakistan-China relations in all areas of cooperation and to further deepen iron-clad Pakistan-China friendship.”

“Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar noted the progress made by CPEC in energy and infrastructure and expressed the confidence at the positive dividends under Phase-II in the fields of industry, agriculture and mineral development,” the statement added.

The foreign office said Dar also expressed condolences with the Chinese official over a March 26 suicide bombing that killed five Chinese workers and their Pakistani driver while they were on their way to the Dasu hydropower project in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. 

The Chinese vice premier expressed his country’s full support to Pakistan in all areas, including the economy, trade and investment and reaffirmed the importance of fast-tracking the implementation of CPEC projects.

ISLAMABAD: A spokesperson for the Pakistani Hajj Mission said on Wednesday 15,819 pilgrims from the South Asian nation had reached the holy city of Madinah since Hajj flight operations were launched on May 9 ahead of the annual pilgrimage next month.

This year, around 179,210 Pakistanis will perform Hajj under both the government and private schemes, for which a month-long flight operation started last week. 

As part of the Hajj flight operation, five airlines – Pakistan International Airlines, Saudi Airlines, Airblue, Serene Air, and Air Sial – will operate 259 sorties to transport intending pilgrims from eight major cities of Pakistan, namely Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, Quetta, Sialkot, and Sukkur, to Jeddah and Madinah under the government scheme.

“Today, 2,736 more pilgrims will reach Madinah through 12 Hajj flights,” the spokesperson for the Pakistani Hajj Mission said.

He said a control room in both Makkah and Madinah was working 24 hours for the convenience and guidance of pilgrims and 119 assistants and 66 doctors and medical staff were providing services as part of the Hajj Affairs Office.

“This year, all Pakistani Hajj pilgrims are being provided accommodation closest to the Prophet’s Mosque,” the official said. “Seven catering companies continue to provide three meals to pilgrims in Madinah.”

From Friday, Pakistani pilgrims who have completed an eight-day stay in Madinah will start departing for Makkah, the religious affairs ministry said.