ISLAMABAD: In response to an invitation from Fudan University, Shanghai, a 15-member composite delegation from Pakistan, comprising diplomats, senior academics, researchers, and media personnel, is set to embark on a week-long visit to China today (Sunday).
Led by Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), the delegation aims to strengthen academic and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
The Pakistani delegation consists of esteemed members, including Prof. Dr. Engr. Attaullah Shah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Karakoram; Dr. Ayesha Alam from the University of Hazara; Prof. Dr. Ayesha Sohail from the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir; Ambassador Babar Amin, a former diplomat; Mr. Dost Mohammad Barrech from the University of Balochistan; Dr. Fouzia Hadi Ali from the University of Punjab; Prof. Dr. Kausar Takrim from the University of Peshawar; Mr. Muhammad Ali Baig, a Research Fellow at ISSI; Dr. Mukesh Khatwani from the University of Sindh; Mr. Shaukat Piracha, a Senior Anchor at Aaj News; Dr. Tahir Mumtaz Awan from COMSATS University, Islamabad; Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director of the China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at ISSI; Mr. Tanveer Hashmi from Jang Group, and Ms. Misbah Mukhtar, a Research Associate at ISSI.
Representing various provinces of Pakistan, as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the delegates possess extensive experience in China studies, regional and global affairs, Pakistan-China relations, and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Scheduled Activities of Pakistani Delegation in China
During their visit, the delegation members will participate in a seminar hosted by Fudan University in Shanghai and the 3rd Pakistan-China Think Tank Forum, organized by the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) in Beijing. Additionally, they are scheduled to visit the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various academic and commercial facilities, where they will receive briefings to gain first-hand information.
The visit aims to foster academic collaboration, facilitate knowledge exchange, and enhance mutual understanding between Pakistan and China. Interactions with Chinese academicians, scholars, and government officials will provide an opportunity to identify areas for enhanced cooperation in diverse sectors, including trade, technology, and infrastructure development. The delegation members are also keen on strengthening academic ties and exploring avenues for bilateral cooperation in the field of education and beyond.
The Pakistani delegation is expected to return to Islamabad on July 23, 2023. This visit will serve as a significant step towards deepening the ties between Pakistan and China and further strengthening their multifaceted relationship.
