China helped avert default, says premier

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that default has been averted primarily with the financial help of China. Speaking to a delegation of members from the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and renowned businessmen at the Governor House, the premier discussed the financial assistance provided by friendly countries, especially China, to help save Pakistan from default. “I have thanked the managing director of the IMF, while US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken congratulated us on the approval of the IMF programme,” he said, adding that it also made it clear that the previous government’s unfortunate blow to “our relationship with the US was due to narrow-mindedness.” He said that during the last 15 months, his government repaired relations with the US and the efforts of the foreign minister were also laudable. “All this was possible through collective efforts. It is our aim that the personal interests should be placed under the national interests,” he added. The premier said that the real task is to solve the problems of entrepreneurs and propel the economy forward.