ISLAMABAD: Acting President Sadiq Sanjrani conferred the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on the visiting vice chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission, Gen Zhang Youxia, at an investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-i-Sadr on Friday.

The event was attended by Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing and other senior officials, according to APP.

Gen Zhang later called on the acting president. Mr Sanjrani congratulated the Chinese general on the conferment of Nishan-i-Imtiaz and said that Pakistan and China were close friends, neighbours and trusted partners because their relations were based on mutual respect and trust.

He said that Pak-China friendship was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and their defence relations were guarantee to peace and stability in the region.

Mr Sanjrani said Pakistan deeply valued China’s support on issues of national and regional security, including Kashmir.

Gen Zhang thanked the acting president, the government and the people of Pakistan. He said Pakistan and China enjoyed a time-tested friendship which would grow in the coming generations.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2018