China extends special grant for Pakistan's terror-hit people, areas

China on Wednesday signed an agreement with Pakistan on providing a special grant in cash to support the rehabilitation program for residents in Pakistan's northwestern restive tribal region.

The agreement, involving a grant of 10 million U.S. dollars, was signed by Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong and Secretary of Pakistan's Economic Affairs Division Muhammad Saleem Sethi in Islamabad.

Sethi said the signing of the agreement is the implementation of an important outcome of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan in April this year.

"We are very grateful to the government and people of China for this assistance. With this grant, we shall be able to rehabilitate thousands of internally displaced people who were affected by the military operation in the region," said Sethi.

Ambassador Sun, "We shall continue our support to Pakistan for economic development and its efforts to safeguard national security and the well-being of people in the tribal areas."

"China and Pakistan always stand together through thick and thins. We shall stand together to promote peace and prosperity through the construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor," said Sun.

Pakistan's Finance Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar welcomed the signing of the agreement which he said would help in addressing the issue of the Temporary Displaced Persons in the tribal areas. Endi