Pakistan president confers Nishan-e-Pakistan on Chinese president Xi Jinping

Islamabad, April 21: The Pakistan government on Tuesday conferred Nishan-e-Pakistan on visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping, media reported.

The honour was conferred on him at a special ceremony at the President House in Islamabad on Tuesday, Geo TV reported

Nishan-e-Pakistan, the highest civil awards is given by the Government of Pakistan for the highest degree of service to the country and nation of Pakistan. The award was established on 19 March 1957.

President Mamnoon Hussain and his wife welcomed Jinping at the presidency. The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries including chief ministers, governors, service chiefs, diplomats and other important personalities.

President Xi Jinping arrived in Islamabad on historic visit on April 20. This is the first visit by a Chinese president to Pakistan after nine years.

A whooping $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was signed during Xi's visit to the nation which aims to create direct links between China and the Arabian Sea, bring growth to the restive western Chinese region of Xinjiang, and boost the Pakistani economy and transform the country into a regional economic hub.