Former Chinese premier Li Keqiang, a reform-minded bureaucrat died on Friday. He had a heart attack on Thursday and passed away in Shanghai just after midnight, state-run news agency Xinhua said.
He was 68.
Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said he was “deeply saddened and shocked” to learn about Li’s passing and called him a “great friend of Pakistan”.
“We fondly remember his visit to Pakistan in 2013. Our thoughts and sympathies are with late premier Li, his family and with the Chinese nation at this hour of grief,” he said on a post.
President Dr Arif Alvi expressed deep grief over the death of former Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang and said that Pakistan today lost a great friend.
The president said Li Keqiang was a strong advocate and supporter of Pak-China economic and strategic relations.
Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani remembered Li as a “statesman”, adding that he contributed to “strengthening” ties between Pakistan and China. “As the then-foreign secretary, I organised his visit to Pakistan in May 2013. My thoughts are with premier Li, his family and the Chinese people,” he said.
