Latest news with #China-Pakistan
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Shahid Nazir made NGC managing director
LAHORE: The Board of Directors of the National Grid Company (NGC) of Pakistan Limited (formerly NTDC), in its 297th meeting, has approved the appointment of Engr Muhammad Shahid Nazir as the Managing Director of NGC. A formal notification has been issued in this regard. Prior to this appointment, Engr Shahid Nazir was serving as the General Manager Project Delivery (North) at NGC. He brings over 32 years of experience in the power transmission sector and has been instrumental in the execution of several key power transmission projects. Engr. Shahid Nazir holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Power Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore, a Master's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of South Asia, Lahore and an MBA in Finance from the University of the Punjab, Lahore. Throughout his distinguished career, he has played leading roles in major projects such as the Matiari-Lahore Transmission Line under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Dasu Transmission Line Project, where he served as Chief Engineer. He has also represented Pakistan abroad on deputation. His appointment follows the retirement of Engr. Muhammad Waseem Younas, who completed his term as Managing Director yesterday (Thursday). On his final day, Engr Waseem Younas met with NGC officers and staff, expressing his best wishes and appreciation for their support. Engr Shahid Nazir has been assigned with the role of Managing Director on stop-gap basis and will serve in this capacity until a permanent appointment is made. On appointment, talking to the officers and employees, Engr Shahid Nazir expressed his gratitude to the Board of Directors for their trust. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring timely completion of ongoing NGC projects. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Chinese expert shuts down General Bakshi in live TV debate over Pakistan-China ties
Victor Gao, Vice President of the Center for China and Globalization, delivered a stinging rebuke to retired Indian General G.D. Bakshi during a heated live television debate that quickly spiraled beyond routine foreign policy discourse. The fireworks started when General Bakshi accused Pakistan of harboring terrorists and questioned the durability of Sino-Pak relations. Gao fired back without hesitation: 'General Bakshi, you need to study history,' he said coldly, drawing an audible gasp from the panel. 'No power in the world can break the China-Pakistan friendship,' Gao continued, invoking decades of diplomatic, military, and economic ties between Beijing and Islamabad. He dismantled Bakshi's claims with sharp historical references, turning the debate into a one-sided lesson that left the retired general visibly rattled and scrambling to pivot. The turning point came when Gao dismissed Bakshi's inflammatory remarks as "aggression and irresponsibility, not diplomacy," urging a focus on dialogue and evidence over blanket accusations and calls to action. Highlighting joint military ventures like the JF-17 fighter jet and deep-rooted defense collaborations, Gao described the China-Pakistan partnership as 'rock-solid and forged in strategic trust,' emphasizing that their alliance isn't born of fleeting interest but is deeply institutionalised. Bakshi, a regular on Indian news channels known for his jingoistic tirades, appeared unprepared for such a frontal intellectual assault. As he attempted to steer the conversation elsewhere, Gao calmly held ground, commanding the room — and the narrative.
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Steel in the soul of friendship
EDITORIAL: There are few bilateral relationships in the modern world as enduring — and as resolutely unflinching — as the one between Pakistan and China. As both nations celebrated the 74th anniversary of diplomatic ties this week, it was hard to miss the symbolism. This isn't just about polite protocol or ceremonial flags; this is about a friendship tested by history, tempered in crisis, and forged, to borrow the often used but never-exaggerated phrase, in iron. On 1st October 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong announced the founding of the People's Republic of China and Pakistan was among the first countries to recognise the People's Republic of China on January 1950. That decision, bold for its time and geopolitically astute, was the beginning of a relationship that would later come to define both countries' global postures. Diplomatic relations between the two countries established on 21st May 1951. In the Cold War's darkest hours, Pakistan played a central role in helping China break through its diplomatic isolation — most notably by arranging the historic visit of Henry Kissinger to Beijing in 1971, which paved the way for US-China rapprochement. That singular act showed Islamabad's ability to think beyond its own borders, positioning itself not only as China's friend, but as its connector to the world. Beijing has not forgotten. In the decades since, China has returned the favour many times over. From steady diplomatic backing at multilateral forums to long-term economic investment, the China-Pakistan relationship has moved from principle to practice, from symbolic solidarity to tangible gains. At every strategic inflection point — from Pakistan's nuclear tests to its evolving counterterrorism landscape — China has offered unwavering support. It's a record very few other countries, if any, can claim. The current phase of this friendship is no less consequential. If history built the foundation, it is the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that has built the superstructure. Launched in 2015 under the umbrella of China's Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC is not merely a collection of roads, ports, and power plants — it is the architectural blueprint of Pakistan's future. From the blazing lights of Gwadar to the highways snaking through Balochistan, from Special Economic Zones to cutting-edge energy projects, CPEC is modern development with strategic purpose. It would be simplistic to call CPEC just an infrastructure programme. It is Pakistan's most comprehensive national transformation project in decades. The new Gwadar International Airport, the year-round opening of the Khunjerab Pass, the commitment to support livelihood projects and emerging sectors like mining and clean energy — this isn't about aid. It's about shared prosperity. And for once, it's being done without the conditionality and condescension that often accompany assistance from other quarters of the globe. China's support also extends beyond steel and concrete. In moments of military tension, especially during recent hostilities with India, Beijing stood firmly by Islamabad, reminding the region — and the world — that strategic partnerships are not only built in peace, but proven in crisis. At a time when many countries recalibrate friendships based on convenience or compliance, China's constancy deserves special note. There is, of course, work still to be done. The CPEC vision will only deliver fully if it is matched by local governance that ensures transparency, protects workers — especially Chinese engineers and technicians operating in restive areas — and maximises spillover benefits for Pakistan's broader economy. Security, especially in Balochistan, remains a concern. But those are challenges to be managed, not reasons to falter. What sets this friendship apart is its sincerity. There's little of the forced public affection that marks many other so-called alliances. China and Pakistan do not flatter each other with platitudes; they walk the walk—quietly, efficiently, often in defiance of shifting global winds. This week's cultural event, aptly themed 'Tea for Harmony,' captured the essence of the relationship. In a world increasingly defined by transactionalism and performative diplomacy, the Pakistan-China bond remains refreshingly free of drama and posturing. It is steady, purposeful, and deeply rooted. For a country like Pakistan, often navigating a volatile regional and global landscape, such reliability is not just comforting — it's strategic. Seventy-four years on, this is more than a friendship. It is an anchor. An iron-clad alliance not just of states, but of shared destinies. And in a world rusting with rivalries, that is worth celebrating. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
China pushes for ‘upgraded version' of CPEC in Pakistan
Listen to article The Chinese foreign minister has praised the 'ironclad' friendship between China and Pakistan and reiterated his country's firm support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, combating terrorism, and pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions. 'China will continue to support Pakistan in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs,' said Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, in a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing on Wednesday. Wang added that both countries should work toward an 'upgraded version' of CPEC, expanding cooperation into areas such as industry, agriculture, energy, mineral resources, human resource development, counter-terrorism, and security. The statement was released after high-level talks between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who is also the country's foreign minister, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday. According to the statement, China and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. The discussions emphasised bilateral cooperation in security, economic development, and regional stability, while also highlighting shared goals under the CPEC and the vision of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future. Deputy PM Dar also reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering support for the one-China principle and expressed admiration for China's achievements in innovation and technology. He conveyed Pakistan's desire to expand comprehensive cooperation with China and called for continued Chinese support to help Pakistan address economic and security challenges. He also assured his counterpart that Pakistan remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions operating within its borders. Earlier, Pakistan, China and Afghanistan agreed to extend the CPEC into Afghan territory, marking a significant step in trilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. The agreement came during an informal trilateral meeting held in Beijing between Deputy PM Dar, Chinese FM, and Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. The three sides termed their cooperation vital for regional stability and agreed that economic integration was key to shared progress. They also stressed the importance of combating terrorism and working collectively toward peace and sustainable development.
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Chinese envoy celebrates 74 years of China-Pakistan ties and future cooperation
Listen to article Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong delivered a speech at the Silk Road Culture Center in Islamabad on Wednesday to mark the 74th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. He expressed his gratitude to all those who have supported the development of the longstanding China-Pakistan friendship. He recalled that diplomatic ties were formally established on May 21, 1951, marking a new era in the millennia-old exchanges between the two peoples. Over the past seven decades, he emphasised, the relationship has flourished under the leadership of successive generations and the enduring support of both nations' peoples. Highlighting the exceptional trust between China and Pakistan, the ambassador pointed to the close high-level interactions that have taken place in recent months, including reciprocal visits by the prime ministers and President Zardari's successful visit to China. He noted that the important consensus reached between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistani leaders has injected new momentum into the all-weather strategic cooperation between the two countries. The Chinese envoy reaffirmed China's unwavering support for Pakistan's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and development path, as well as its efforts to combat terrorism and maintain unity and stability. He praised Pakistan's consistent adherence to the one-China principle and its firm support on China's core interests. He also cited instances of solidarity and mutual assistance during challenges such as natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, describing the China-Pakistan friendship as 'unbreakable' and 'iron-clad,' capable of withstanding global uncertainties. The ambassador highlighted the Silk Road Culture Center itself as a symbol of the 'Silk Road Spirit,' characterised by peace, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning, and mutual benefit. He underlined the significance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as practical embodiments of this spirit. Ambassador Jiang noted China's role as Pakistan's largest trading partner for ten consecutive years, as well as the extensive development under CPEC, including milestones such as the opening of the Gwadar New International Airport and year-round access through the Khunjerab Pass. Looking ahead, the ambassador detailed plans to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation aligned with Pakistan's 5Es framework. These included expanding agricultural and industrial collaboration, developing mining and new energy sectors, fostering B2B and cross-border e-commerce growth, implementing livelihood projects, and ensuring that bilateral cooperation yields tangible benefits for the peoples of both countries. Ambassador Jiang also emphasised the importance of cultural exchange in the bilateral relationship, spotlighting the event's theme 'Tea for Harmony.' He elaborated on tea as a symbol of inclusiveness, humility, equality, and empathy, linking it to China's diplomatic goals of peace, stability, and harmony amid global geopolitical challenges. Addressing contemporary global issues, the ambassador noted the accelerated transformations and conflicts confronting the world, including the rise of unilateralism, protectionism, and hegemonism. He stressed the coordinated efforts of China and Pakistan within multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, alongside Pakistan's active support for China's proposals like the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). He reaffirmed the commitment of China and Pakistan to deepen their high-level interactions, promote mutual learning between Chinese and Islamic civilizations, and advance a multipolar, equitable world order as well as inclusive economic globalisation. He called for the two countries to stand shoulder to shoulder and accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future in the new era. 'May the friendship between China and Pakistan last forever. May our two nations thrive in prosperity and flourishing,' he concluded, extending best wishes for health and happiness to all present. The event was attended by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, alongside distinguished guests, diplomats, and members of the public.
