Beijing lauded as a ‘steadfast partner’ as Islamabad secures new IMF tranche under 37-month programme
April 16: On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked China for its crucial support in helping Pakistan secure a $1.3 billion arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), finalized on March 26 as part of the ongoing 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
During a ceremony in Islamabad, the Prime Minister praised China as “a close friend” that has consistently supported Pakistan through challenging times, particularly during critical economic moments. He emphasized that Beijing remains committed to deepening bilateral relations, with a special focus on strengthening cooperation in the agriculture sector.
His comments were made during the launch of the “Prime Minister’s Initiative for Capacity Building of 1,000 Agricultural Graduates in China,” a fully funded international training program designed to modernize Pakistan’s agricultural sector.
According to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the first group of 300 agricultural graduates will leave for China today. The program will unfold in phases, with the next 400 graduates set to undergo six months of training, followed by an additional 300 graduates in a final three-month phase. The Prime Minister noted that the selections were made purely on merit, including students from all four provinces, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
PM Shehbaz Sharif underscored the importance of reviving Pakistan’s agriculture sector for achieving long-term economic stability, stressing the need for urgent modernization of the country’s research institutions.
