Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah attended a ceremony organised by the Chinese Consulate General to commemorate the 52nd National Day of China.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister traced the history of the strong friendship between Pakistan and China. He said the friendship assumed the status of a concrete relationship between the two nations due to the efforts of the late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It was when Bhutto visited China as the foreign minister of Pakistan that an atmosphere of cooperation and understanding took a new and concrete turn, he said.
“China has always remained a good friend and this friendship was tested in both the 1965 and the 1971 wars,” he said. The chief minister said Bhutto was also the pioneer of good relations between China and the United States of America. He also referred to the recent visit of the Vice Prime Minister of China Meng Jian Zhu to Islamabad, during which he reaffirmed China’s commitment to support Pakistan through thick and thin. The chief minister also thanked the people and the government of China for their support to the rain-affected people in Sindh.
In his speech, the governor felicitated the people and the government of China for commemorating their 52nd National Day. Earlier, Consul General of China in Karachi Jian Chan welcomed the guests attending the reception. He also condoled on behalf of himself and the people of his country over the loss of lives and property during the natural calamity that hit Sindh recently. The consul general said his government has extended financial assistance for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood survivors.
On the occasion, the governor and chief minister also visited a photo exhibition that depicted the historic struggle waged by Chairman Mao Tze Tung and the consequent development made by the country that ultimately turned it into one of the major economic powers of the world. The ceremony was also attended by Karachi Corps Commander Lt Gen Muhammad Zaheerul Islam; provincial ministers Haji Muzaffar Ali Shajra, Begum Nargis ND Khan and Jam Madad Ali; Chief Minister’s Adviser Imtiaz Ali Sheikh; leaders of different political parties and religious groups; and members of the business community.
