-Railways Minister invites China to consider partnership of budget Airlines with PIA
-Nong Rong assures Rafique to discuss his desired issue with Chinese private Airlines
-Pledges initiatives to allow direct flights from Pakistan to Beijing and Guangzhou
-Chinese Ambassador also meets Chairman HEC
By Anzal Amin
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Thursday agreed on the early launch of the much-awaited Mainline-1 (ML1) project, aimed at revamping and modernizing the country’s age-old railway infrastructure.
The agreement was reached between the two countries during a dinner hosted by the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong for Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique.
The minister was accompanied by the railway’s chairman, additional secretary, secretary of aviation and chief executive officer of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Rafique invited Rong to consider a partnership of budget airlines with PIA in order to make Pakistan’s small airports functional and provide better travel facilities to the passengers.
The Chinese ambassador affirmed the railway minister to discuss his desired issue with the Chinese private airlines. The envoy also assured of taking initiatives to allow direct flights from Pakistan to Beijing and Guangzhou for Pakistani airlines at the earliest.
Separately, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Thursday organised a send-off ceremony for 36 Pakistani students, who were awarded scholarships to study in Chinese universities under the Chinese Government Scholarship Programme.
The programme was launched in 2019 for the Pakistani students to study in 289 designated Chinese universities. So far, 193 Pakistani students had been awarded scholarships under this programme, including 40 in 2019, 58 in 2020, 59 in 2021 and 36 this year. Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed and Ambassador of China to Pakistan Mr. Nong Rong graced the ceremony, alongside Executive Director (HEC) Dr. Shaista Sohail, Adviser Global Engagement (HEC) Mr. Awais Ahmed, Director General (Scholarships) Ms. Aayesha Ikram, and HEC and Embassy officials.
Ambassador Mr. Nong Rong expressed his pleasure on an interpersonal interaction with the Pakistani students from different parts of Pakistan.
“The award of scholarship is a reward for your hard work and the support of your parents,” he asserted, addressing awards’ recipents. He said that education transforms lives, opens new opportunities and creates strong societies, adding that education was the pathway to socio-economic development of a nation.
He observed that universities not only provide academic experience but also pave the way for personal development. He appreciated HEC for making the programme a success and advised the students to “make the most out of the scholarship opportunity”.
He hoped that the exchange and cooperation activities between the higher education institutions would produce fruitful results, adding that these activities would further enhance mutual understanding and help improve the level of work together.
He also mentioned the issues facing the Pakistani students affected by the COVID-19 restrictions, assuring that China was closely monitoring the situation. These students, he affirmed, would soon be returning to their institutions in China.
Terming Pakistan and China longstanding partners, he said that China was aware of the havoc caused by floods in Pakistan and was trying its best to lend support to Pakistan through donations and fundraising activities.
He said that China had extended an aid of RMB 400 million and 25,000 tents for the flood-hit areas, in addition to RMB 100 million provided by Chinese military. He also mentioned various other flood relief activities from the Chinese side.
