PM Shehbaz seeks deeper China partnership in pharmaceutical sector

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for greater cooperation between Pakistan and China in the pharmaceutical sector, saying Chinese investment and expertise could help boost local medicine production, expand exports and improve access to affordable drugs.

Addressing the Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical Conference, the prime minister described China as Pakistan’s “most sincere and trusted friend”, saying Beijing had stood by Islamabad during every difficult period.

“China has supported Pakistan through every challenge and remains our most reliable partner,” he said.

The prime minister said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a strong bridge connecting the two countries through shared development and prosperity.

“CPEC is a bridge of progress between the two brotherly countries,” he said, adding that bilateral cooperation in pharmaceutical manufacturing was essential for Pakistan’s economic and public health objectives. PM Shehbaz welcomed Chinese investment in the pharmaceutical industry and said Pakistan wanted to benefit fully from China’s technological expertise, manufacturing capacity and capital.

PM Shehbaz also referred to recent regional tensions, saying Pakistan had played a role in preventing the situation from escalating into a wider conflict. He credited the country’s leadership, including Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, with helping avert war in the region.

“Pakistan played the role of a mediator between Iran and the United States,” he said, adding that the Islamabad memorandum of understanding was signed as a result of Pakistan’s mediation efforts.

He said closer cooperation would support the domestic production of medicines and help Pakistan increase pharmaceutical exports.

“We are promoting business-to-business partnerships with China in the pharmaceutical sector,” the prime minister said.

He added that joint ventures between Pakistani and Chinese companies could become an important milestone for the industry and help reduce the country’s dependence on imported medicines and raw materials.

The prime minister said collaboration between the two countries could also enable the public to access medicines at more affordable prices.

“Pakistan-China cooperation in pharmaceuticals will help provide inexpensive medicines to the people,” he said.

The prime minister reaffirmed the close relationship between Islamabad and Beijing, saying the interests and prosperity of the two countries were closely linked.

“China’s happiness is connected with Pakistan’s happiness,” he said.