ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said that Pakistan and China shared an unbreakable bond rooted in history, shared values and strong people-to-people connections as celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries commenced at the Pak-China Friendship Centre. Addressing the “Pakistan-China Cultural Evening, Celebrating 75 Years of Enduring Friendship, Shared Values, and a Bright Future” held here, the minister extended greetings in Chinese by saying “da jia hao”.
Tarar said it was a real pleasure for him to host the event at the Pak-China Friendship Centre as Pakistan and China began celebrations commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations. He said the Pakistan-China friendship had been passed down through generations and remained deeply cherished by the people of Pakistan.
“It is something we hold very dear, something which is very close to our hearts, and something which has stood the test of time,” he remarked. Recalling a personal family memory, the minister said his mother had told him that as a young schoolgirl in Islamabad, she was among the children who welcomed former Chinese premier Zhou Enlai during his visit to Pakistan while waving the flags of both countries. He said generations of Pakistanis had grown up hearing stories of friendship between the two nations and would continue narrating those stories to future generations because Pakistan and China shared mountains, rivers, and an enduring relationship.
Referring to the upcoming visit to China alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Tarar said the completion of 75 years of diplomatic ties represented a historic milestone and reflected the ever-growing friendship between the two countries. The minister paid tribute to children from both Pakistan and China, who performed during the cultural evening and described their performances as heart-touching and remarkable. He also appreciated the efforts of the organizers, including the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting team, Director General of the External Publicity Wing, Federal Secretary Information and Broadcasting Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil and their teams for arranging the event on short notice.
Tarar said Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal had always been a strong advocate of Pakistan-China friendship and played a key role during the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Islamabad along with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
He added that Ahsan Iqbal had also been actively promoting the next phase of CPEC cooperation and acknowledged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as a firm believer that Pakistan-China friendship would lead the country towards prosperity.
The minister welcomed Shi Yuanqiang, Deputy Head of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Danyal Chaudhry, and Chairperson Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Ambreen Jan, along with distinguished guests, children and participants attending the ceremony.
Earlier, Secretary Information Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil said it was a matter of immense pleasure to welcome guests to the special cultural celebration, marking 75 years of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations.
He said the relationship between Pakistan and China was built on strong traditions, shared values, and a longstanding history of partnership that continued to strengthen the enduring friendship between the two countries.
“Pakistan and China are allies, friends and anchors,” he said, adding that beyond commerce, trade, and strategic cooperation, the bond between the two nations was further strengthened by deep people-to-people connections.
Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil said culture had a remarkable way of bringing people together in ways official documents sometimes could not, adding that conversations, melodies, and shared experiences helped strengthen mutual understanding between nations.
“As we commemorate 75 years of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations, this gathering serves as a reminder that enduring friendships are built not only in conference rooms and corridors of policy, but also in moments of celebration such as this,” he remarked.
The secretary information extended heartfelt appreciation to all participating institutions, artists, organizers, and distinguished guests whose efforts made the evening possible.
He expressed hope that the cultural evening would leave participants with lasting memories, meaningful conversations, and a renewed appreciation for the timeless friendship between Pakistan and China. –Agencies
