Belt and Road Forum and Pakistan.

Byline: Muhammad Asif Noor

President Xi Jinping of People's Republic of China invited Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr. Imran Khan to attend the 2nd BRF in Beijing, China from April 25-28, 2019. China hosted this global event along with kickstarting the celebrations of 70 th anniversary of Peoples of Republic of China. This year's theme was "Belt and Road Cooperation: Shaping a Brighter Shared Future." The Forum was inaugurated by President Xi Jinping on 26 April with his key note speech in which he reiterated "China pays high regard to the implementation of bilateral and multilateral economic and trade agreements it has signed with other parties".

It indicates the commitment of Chinese leadership to multilateralism and connectivity wherein President Xi did not bother to mention the United States in his speech for its economic approach and trade war with China. Pakistan is an important part of BRI with CPEC as Crown of BRI and the enthusiasm of People from both sides to put an effort to make this as one of the finest and active corridors of the multibilliondollar project.

Prime Minister Imran Khan attended the BRF with a high-level delegation comprised state ministers and advisors. Prime Minister of Pakistan has also delivered a keynote speech in the inaugural session of the BRF and participated in the Leaders' Round Table, a meeting of all Heads of States attending BRF. Moreover, he held bilateral meetings with President Xi, Chinese Premier Li and officials of Chinese Committee of Communist Party. He also spoke to the gathering of business men and corporate officials of business entities and invited them to invest in Pakistan saying it is the "best time to invest in Pakistan".

The key note speech of Prime Minister Imran Khan was of utmost importance because of the underlying wisdom in his words. He appeared to be a greater advocate of multilateralism and openness to the region and to the world where President Xi had earlier pledged to foster multilateral values and policy of engagement. Prime Minister Imran Khan lauds the success of BRF terming it a journey of nations towards better future along the path of globalization.

Prime Minister Khan also stressed the need to establish joint fund for poverty alleviation from developing and underdeveloped countries and partnership in areas of education, health and agriculture and last but not least to partner in efforts to cope with climate change. He asserted to implement...