BEIJING: Pakistani Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed has stated that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will push the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) forward with renewed vigour and vitality, ensuring multifaceted development of the Belt and Road Initiative's flagship project, according to reports.

The newly-elected premier met the acting Chinese envoy on his first day in office to reaffirm the importance of Pakistan's relationship with China and demonstrate conviction to move CPEC forward, according to the senator.

 Mushahid reportedly said that  China and Shehbaz had a long-standing relationship since when the BRI was formed with CPEC as its centrepiece, it was led by then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and then-Chief Minister Shehbaz.  He stated that under the new government, Pakistan-China relations will be accelerated across the board.

"China is the top priority in terms of foreign policy, as the prime minister stated when he listed the countries, and his formulation has been enthusiastically received in China, so we have no doubt," he added.

The senator said, China is the only country with widespread popular support, and Pakistan's entire political leadership regards it as the country's most important ally. "As a result, China's friendship is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy, and I envision this partnership developing and reaching new heights," he added.

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