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Seminar on "Friends of Silk Road"

China Study Centre, University of Peshawar in collaboration with the Pakistan-China Institute, Islamabad organized a seminar on, “ Friends of Silk Road” on 26 Oct 2019 at the hall of NCEG, University of Peshawar.The seminar started with the recitation of the Holy Quran at 3 pm.

Prof Dr Zahid Anwar, Director, China Study Centre, University of Peshawar delivered a welcome address and welcomed Shah Farman, the Honourable, Governor, H.E. Yao Jing the Ambassador, Muhammad Atif Khan, the Tourism Minister, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Hasan Dawood Butt, CEO, KPBOIT, Arbab Sher Ali Khan, Chairman, Parliamentary Committee on CPEC, MNAs, MPAs and other distinguished guests. He highlighted the objectives of China Study Centre, Pakistan China Relations, BRI, CPEC and also spotlighted the purpose of the” Friends of the Silk Road” Seminar. He hoped that the said seminar will boost awareness among the public about the opportunities in CPEC and will erase misunderstanding regarding it. He particularly thanked H.E. Yao Jing, the Ambassador of China to Pakistan for his donation of Rs. 2 million, through China Study Centre for the deserving students of University of Peshawar.

H.E. Yao Jing, the Ambassador in his Keynote speech said that the Chinese government would establish vocational Centres and hospitals in Pakistan along with schools in erstwhile FATA. The Ambassador also stated that China has played and will continue to play its role for restoration of peace and stability in the region The regional connectivity projects like BRI and CPEC will pave the way for regional economic development. Highlighting the importance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in CPEC, the Chinese ambassador said that in the second Phase of CPEC the focus will be on industrialization and Rashakai Special Economic Zone which is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be developed on priority basis.Ambassador Yao Jing stressed the need for value addition to get maximum benefit from the manufacturing sector. Saying that 10 agriculture labs would be set up in Pakistan as part of the emphasis on social and agriculture sectors in the second phase of CPEC, he also suggested that the higher education institutions should come up with proposals for these labs through proper channel involving the Planning Commission and PARC, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the founder of the Pakistan-China Institute in his keynote speech informed the audience that 75,000 jobs had been created in Pakistan due to the CPEC projects and 10,000 megawatts of electricity has been generated and added to the national power grid. He said 28,000 Pakistani students were presently studying in China and Beijing had announced 20,000 new scholarships for the students of Pakistan. He said that China and Pakistan had stood by each other in times of need and their friendship had become stronger over the years.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Minister Mohammad Atif Khan in his speech highlighted the tourism potential of Pakistan in general Khyber Pakhtunkhwa particular hoped that soon tourists from abroad especially Chinese tourists would start coming to Pakistan.

Arbab Sher Ali Khan, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on CPEC, highlighted the potential of the CPEC related projects to put Pakistan on the path of progress.He said that CPEC will help to boost economic development in Pakistan generally and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa particularly.

Hassan Daud Butt, Chairman of the Board of Investment and Trade, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa delivered an informative speech and said that CPEC projects are going well and in the second phase Rashakai SEZ will be developed and industrialization will increase in the province.

Shah Farman, the Honourable Governor, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who was the Chief Guest in his speech said that Pakistan has immense deposits of metal and minerals which require investment. He advocated setting up of manufacturing and marketing units at the sites where raw material are available so that the people of the area also enjoy and get benefited. He also called for further coordination and linkages development between the Universities and the government departments to boost collaborative research and value addition of local mineral sector.

Prizes were given by the Pakistan-China Institute through the Honourable Governor to the winners of the essay competition. On the occasion a meeting was held between the Chinese Ambassador and Prof Dr Johar Ali, the Acting Vice Chancellor and after the meeting shared the good news that H. E. the Ambassador has agreed to provide scholarship and training opportunities to University of Peshawar faculty, students and administrative officials. 

A large number of politicians,businessmen, government officials, experts, faculty and students participated in the national seminar.