Pakistan’s president, Asif Ali Zardari, was in Shanghai today. From AP:
On his second visit to China in just a few months after taking office, Asif Ali Zardari was hoping to build on Islamabad and Beijing’s strong relations. He promised help in securing supply routes for Middle Eastern oil to China.
Massive government overspending and trade imbalances threaten to undermine Pakistan as authorities struggle to turn back a wave of Islamic militancy. The country took a US$7.6 billion IMF bailout last year to ward off collapse, but says it needs billions more.
There has been no sign from Beijing that it might forgive some of Pakistan’s debt or extend additional aid.
