Pakistan foreign minister says country not in China 'debt trap'

Bhutto Zardari hints at hopes to follow mother's footsteps as premier

20230703 Pakistan Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said he would strengthen the country's democratic system and institutions if he were to become prime minister. © AP

SATOSHI IWAKI, Nikkei staff writer

July 4, 2023 02:14 JST

NEW DELHI -- Pakistan has not slid into a "debt trap" created by China, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told Nikkei, stressing that the country is not at immediate risk of defaulting on its debt despite an ongoing economic crisis.

"It is incorrect to claim that Pakistan is in China's debt trap," he said in a written interview during a visit to Japan from Saturday to Tuesday. "Most of the Chinese assistance to Pakistan is in the shape of investments or soft loans."