Govt expects China package within days.

Byline: SHAFQAT ALI

ISLAMABAD -- Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Finance Minister Asad Umar Tuesday hinted at a financial package from China within the next few days.

Briefing the journalists here about the just-concluded visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan and his team to China, the ministers claimed the Opposition will get the answers to their 'questions' about the package from China: in the parliament soon.

Qureshi said the opposition parties wanted the government to respond to their questions in the parliament and 'I am sure they will get their answers.'

He said the opposition parties had created a hype about the economic challenges but the government was taking practical steps to overcome the crises. 'It is ironic that our people always consider immediate financial package as a successful visit. Wait a bit,' he contended.

He said Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua was in China to finalise some agreements with Beijing on November 9. 'This meeting relates to our economy,' he remarked.

Asked about the package from China, Asad Umar hinted at some big news later this week. 'There is no hurry. Wait a bit. There will be something (package),' he added.

He said the Secretary Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan Governor will be meeting the Chinese officials on November 9 to discuss the modalities of the package.

Asad Umar said the cushion provided by Saudi Arabia and the one to be given by China as well as the budgetary measures had helped Pakistan address the immediate balance of payment crisis. He, however, said Pakistan will have to enhance its exports for a permanent solution to the issue. 'We will have to focus on enhancing our exports and support the industries and the agriculture sector in order to permanently address the balance of payment crisis,' he maintained.

Umar said Pakistan's exports to China currently $1.744 billion: will be doubled within this year which will be a true package to resolve Pakistan's economic crises.

'If you follow our meetings in China, you will see that there is a package which will not take time to unfold. There will be relief soon,' he maintained.

Qureshi said the depth of Pak-China relations should not be seen only in the context of financial package. He said China had always helped Pakistan in difficult times and most recently it extended help in the month of July.

Qureshi said Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to China has helped convert bilateral strategic relations into economic partnership. He...