ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has underscored the need for Pakistan to adopt an economic rather than a martial mindset, highlighting the importance of development, cooperation, and regional stability. In an interview with China Global Television Network during his recent visit to China, President Zardari praised China’s extraordinary progress and reaffirmed the strength of the “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” between the two nations.
Reflecting on his 17th visit to China, which included stops in Chengdu, Shanghai, and Urumqi, the president described his trips as goodwill missions, conveying the support of the Pakistani people to China in both prosperous and challenging times. He expressed deep appreciation for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation, saying, “Any part of China I go, I feel loved. And there’s nothing to conquer one’s heart rather than love.”
President Zardari lauded China’s leadership role in the East and commended President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative, which promotes respect for national sovereignty. “Global governance means I can’t walk into any other country. No other country can walk into me. They have to be respectful about my territory. I should be respectful about their territory,” he remarked.
Emphasizing the urgency of economic transformation, the president stated, “We don’t need a martial mindset. We need an economic mindset.” He highlighted a recent agreement with China on space technology aimed at boosting agricultural self-sufficiency through improved per-acre yield and water management.
He also spoke of the deep-rooted people-to-people ties between Pakistan and China, describing the relationship as “joined at the hip.” He noted that countries surrounded by neighbors should leverage their geography for mutual benefit, creating win-win scenarios.
President Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for China on the global stage. “Wherever I go in the world, my first position is that – respect China. Give it what it deserves, the respect of the world, for its people, for its technology, for everything.”
On the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he emphasized Pakistan’s strategic proximity to China, noting that port development not only creates jobs for youth but also accelerates regional growth by attracting trade and infrastructure investment. “So there is great importance for me to make sure that Balochistan is safer… We can drive down to you and you can drive down to us. So, it’s a great futuristic concept,” he added.
President Zardari also pointed to China’s expertise in solar, wind, and emerging hydrogen technologies, advocating for deeper bilateral cooperation in energy. Drawing from his experience on China’s high-speed trains, he proposed a similar initiative in Pakistan to connect Karachi and Hyderabad, reducing travel time from 2.5 hours to just 20 minutes. He suggested that the Sindh government would fund 60% of the project, with China contributing 40% through soft loans and operational support.
