Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday assured Beijing that Pakistan would take every possible measure to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens working and investing in the country, as Pakistani and Chinese companies signed agreements worth approximately $440 million in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
The agreements were signed during the Pakistan-China Business-to-Business (B2B) Investment Conference, marking another step in expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.
Addressing the conference, the prime minister described the agreements as a significant opportunity to accelerate the development of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry.
“The cooperation between Pakistani and Chinese companies in the pharmaceutical sector will provide new opportunities for growth and development,” he said, adding that the agreements reflected the strengthening economic partnership between Pakistan and China.
Sharif welcomed the participation of investors from both countries, particularly the presence of around 300 Chinese delegates. He also commended the efforts of business communities, government officials, and diplomats for facilitating the agreements and expressed confidence that the commitments would soon translate into practical implementation, benefiting Pakistan’s healthcare and industrial sectors.
The agreements cover cooperation in local vaccine production, biotechnology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, technology transfer, hepatitis prevention initiatives, and support for Pakistan’s national immunisation programme.
The prime minister said the pharmaceutical sector offers significant investment opportunities and noted that collaboration in manufacturing, vaccine development, and research and development could help transform the industry.
“Today presents a major opportunity for the development and investment in pharmaceuticals,” he said, highlighting the potential for both countries to work together across the healthcare value chain.
Sharif described China as Pakistan’s “most reliable and tested friend,” saying Beijing had consistently supported Islamabad during challenging times and played a vital role in the country’s economic development. He noted that investment under the first phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had brought nearly $30 billion into Pakistan.
He also thanked the Chinese leadership for its continued support and praised President Xi Jinping as a “visionary leader” who had transformed China’s economy and society.
“Pakistan-China friendship is higher than the Himalayas, sweeter than honey and stronger than steel,” he said.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the security of Chinese nationals, Sharif said “Chinese citizens are our guests. Their happiness is our happiness,” adding that ensuring their safety remains one of the government’s highest priorities.
Referring to recent regional tensions, the prime minister said the crisis had posed serious challenges for the international community. He stated that Pakistan had helped facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran with the support of friendly countries, including China.
Sharif said the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” between the US and Iran had been facilitated by Pakistan and thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for backing Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts.
Separately, officials said leading Pakistani and Chinese pharmaceutical and healthcare companies signed multiple commercial agreements worth $446 million during the Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical and Healthcare B2B Investment Conference, held under the framework of CPEC Phase 2.0. The event was inaugurated by the prime minister and attended by more than 450 companies, including over 300 Pakistani firms and 150 Chinese industrial groups.
