Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday criticised anti-government protesters for staging sit-ins that forced Chinese President Xi Jinping to postpone his maiden visit to the country, jeopardising major infrastructure projects backed by the "all-weather" ally.
Talking to people during his visit to flood affected areas of Sialkot in Punjab province, Sharif said that Xi's proposed visit was a significant one for the progress of Pakistan. He asked the people to take notice of those elements who are staging sit-ins and creating hurdles in the path of national progress and prosperity.
The Chinese President was bringing with him mega projects of prosperity for the people of Pakistan, including programmes to end power load shedding within next three to four years and construction of roads, he said. Sharif regretted that unfortunately, the Chinese president's visit was postponed which also affected Chinese-aided projects.
On Saturday, Pakistan's Foreign Office announced that Xi's visit to the country has been postponed due to the anti-government agitation since August 14. "In view of the current political situation in Pakistan", the Governments of China and Pakistan have mutually agreed to postponement of the state visit of President Xi Jinping to Islamabad, which was scheduled to take place later this month.
"New dates for the President's visit to Pakistan, at an early date, are being discussed through diplomatic channels. "Both countries underline that China and Pakistan are time-tested all-weather friends," a statement issued by the Foreign Office had said.
Xi, also General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China, is expected to visit India and Sri Lanka later this month. Protesters led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and Canada-based fiery cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri have been demanding Sharif's resignation alleging that he came to power through rigged polls.
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