BEIJING, Oct 13 (APP):Pakistan and China on Tuesday agreed to strengthen collaboration in defence and counter-terrorism, and to work on a comprehensive strategy on security-related issues. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Chinese President Hu Jintao in a meeting at the Peoples Great Hall of China, reiterated their strong desire for enhanced cooperation in countering threats from extremists and terrorists, and vowed to make progress on their strategic partnership.

Prime Minister Gilani while briefing media about his meeting with the President, termed his interaction as a “way-forward” in the historical and friendly relations between the two countries.

He said there existed a complete unanimity of views with President Hu Jintao on all issues of bilateral and strategic importance.

“President Hu said China will support Pakistan if it devises a comprehensive strategy on security-related issues,” the Prime Minister said.

Gilani said he conveyed a message of goodwill to the government and people of China; that had proved to be Pakistan’s time-tested friend over the years.

Earlier, both the leaders agreed that the two nations were opposed to terrorism and would continue to cooperate with each other, with increased sharing of information and closer collaboration to counter threats.

Prime Minister Gilani apprised the Chinese President about the recent operation carried out against the militants and for the elimination of terrorists from the tribal areas and parts of Swat and Malakand.

The President noted the role Pakistan was playing in countering the terrorists and said greater cooperation was required to counter terrorism.

Both the leaders also expressed their firm resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties in economic, defence and energy sectors. They said the increased collaboration at the highest level between the two countries in the recent past had proved beneficial, with both PakistanChina making steady progress in all spheres. and

The Chinese President recalled the visit of Prime Minister Gilani’s father to China as a parliamentarian in 1956 and his meeting with Chinese leader Mao Tse Tung.

Both the sides agreed that Pakistan and China enjoy an exemplary relationship with a high degree of mutual trust, understanding and convergence of views on bilateral, regional and international issues.

Pakistan’s side included Minister of State for Housing and Works Muhammad Tariq Anis, parliamentarians from different political parties including Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haideri (JUI) and MNAs Muhammad Tariq Tarar (PPP), Muzaffar-ul-Mulk, Chaudhry Muhammad Barjees Tahir (PML_N), Bahadur Ahmed Khan Sihar (PML-Q), Sheikh Salahuddin (MQM) and Sajjad Hussain Turi (FATA).

Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir also attended the meeting.