In a significant revelation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that Pakistan’s recent success in securing the IMF bailout would not have been possible without China’s support. During a ceremony held in Islamabad, the premier praised China as the country’s “most sincere friend” and emphasized the critical nature of their bilateral ties, especially in the wake of ongoing economic challenges.
China’s Financial Lifeline
China played a vital role in stabilizing Pakistan’s economy by extending the repayment of a $2 billion loan by one year. This move helped bolster Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves at a crucial time when the country was navigating the terms of a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. After completing the first review successfully, Pakistan reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF in March 2025.
Prime Minister Shehbaz acknowledged that without China’s timely assistance, the IMF deal might not have materialized. He reiterated the importance of maintaining and deepening this strategic partnership.
Transforming Agriculture Through Training
The prime minister also announced a major initiative aimed at reviving Pakistan’s agricultural sector. Speaking to 300 agricultural graduates selected for training in China, he underscored the need to modernize farming practices, digitize crop management, and develop climate-resilient seeds.
This initiative, which will eventually send 1,000 graduates to China, reflects Pakistan’s commitment to leveraging international expertise for domestic growth. The program will be implemented in three phases: 300 graduates will undergo three months of training in the first phase, followed by 400 graduates for six months, and the final batch of 300 will receive another three-month training.
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Strengthening Agricultural Foundations
Shehbaz Sharif stressed that agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. He highlighted the urgency of revitalizing agricultural research institutions to drive innovation and productivity. “Food security, increased exports, and better livelihoods for farmers depend on the strength of our agriculture,” he said.
The premier shared that his recent visit to China’s agricultural universities inspired the launch of this training initiative. He expressed confidence that the graduates, upon returning, would apply their knowledge to uplift Pakistan’s agricultural economy.
Chinese Support for Agricultural Collaboration
Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong attended the ceremony and expressed admiration for Pakistan’s economic progress over the past year. He affirmed China’s readiness to deepen cooperation in agriculture and other sectors.
Ambassador Jiang emphasized that President Xi Jinping remains committed to fostering strong ties with neighboring countries like Pakistan. He noted that under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), China has invested approximately $35.4 billion directly into Pakistan’s infrastructure and development projects.
The ambassador described the agricultural training initiative as another step forward in cementing long-term cooperation between the two nations.
As Pakistan works to rebuild its economy and strengthen key sectors, China’s ongoing support — from financial relief to agricultural collaboration — remains an indispensable pillar in the country’s development journey.
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