ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that Pakistan would get rescheduled Chinese loans according to its own terms.
Bilawal said, so far, Islamabad had not approached China for restructuring, deferment or swap of Chinese debt because of the catastrophic floods that hit the country.
He, however, said whenever such a conversation takes place, it would be on Pakistan’s own terms.
Bilawal said, “What China does that’s totally China’s decision. Just like it’s 100% America’s decision in either of these circumstances.”
Foreign Minister expressed these views in an interview with Foreign Policy. Bilawal went on to say, “I would like Pakistan to continue to play a role that we have in the past. Pakistan originally played a bridge between China and the US, resulting in diplomatic relations between the two countries.”
Bilawal hoped that “perhaps, Pakistan’s unique position as a friend of both the US and China could encourage cooperation on this front”.
Foreign Minister Bilawal’s remarks come against the backdrop of China and the US engaging in a war of words over assistance for debt and flood relief to Pakistan to help it cope with the consequences of this year’s deluges.
