China congratulates Shahid Abbasi on assuming charge as PM

ISLAMABAD: China on Thursday warmly congratulated Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on assuming charge as Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, Geng Shuang, in a statement from Beijing, said that the new Pakistan’s government would stay committed to maintaining national unity and stability and promoting economic and social development.

He said China stands ready to work with Pakistan to maintain the momentum of rapid growth of China-Pakistan relations and advance the development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Read More: Who is Shahid Khaqan Abbasi?

With the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) nominee, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has been elected as Prime Minister of the country after the failure of the opposition to field a consensus candidate.

Besides Abbasi, three candidates were in the run for the premiership. Given the failure of the opposition to field a joint candidate and the PML-N’s strong majority in the assembly, the election is being seen as rubber stamp affair. PML-N itself has more than the required number of 172 members in the house of 342.

Abbasi won the election for PM with 221 out of 342 votes.