Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met Thursday with Pakistan's military leaders as the countries seek to deepen already strong bilateral strategic ties, UPI reported. Li, who arrived Wednesday in Pakistan, met with Pakistani army Chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, naval chief Adm. Mohammad Asif Sandila and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Khalid Shameem Wyne in Islamabad, Dawn reported. Li's visit comes as Pakistanis prepare to install Nawaz Sharif as prime minster for the third time after Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League party won an impressive victory in the May 11 general elections. It will be first time in Pakistan's 66-year history when a civilian government will succeed another one instead of the military. The military, however, continues to be the most powerful force in the nuclear-armed country China regards as a close ally. Li, who became premier during the recent once-in-a-decade change of leadership in China, visited Pakistan's archrival India before heading to Islamabad. His next two foreign stops as a senior representative of China's new and progressive leadership will be Switzerland and Germany.
