PESHAWAR: Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Babar Saleem Swati on Friday stressed the immense importance of the friendship between Pakistan and China in light of the current economic situation.
During his visit to China Window in Peshawar, he highlighted that this bond is crucial for the economic development and prosperity of both the countries and emphasized the need to learn from and benefit in various fields from our brotherly neighbor, China.
He also addressed the Dragon Boat Festival ceremony. Engineer Said Mehmood, Vice Chairman of the KP Board of Investment, and Arshad Aziz Malik, President of the Peshawar Press Club were also present on the occasion.
Speaker Babar Saleem Swati toured the state-of-the-art cultural center, exploring its various galleries, signing the friendship wall, and leaving his comments in the visitor’s book. In his address at the Dragon Boat Festival he said, “The friendship between Pakistan and China is higher than the Himalayas, deeper than the seas, and sweeter than honey. Today, we proudly call ourselves Iron Brothers.”
He attributed the strength of this friendship to the mutual protection of each other’s interests and unwavering support during difficult times. Swati underscored that while China has always stood by Pakistan, it is imperative for Pakistan to learn from China’s development and leverage its experiences for Pakistan’s economic growth and the well-being of its people.
Welcoming the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Swati commended China’s investment of $26 billion in CPEC projects and the anticipated additional $40 billion investment. He highlighted that these projects, including hydropower and the Rashakai Economic Zone, will create millions of jobs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Speaker Swati also emphasized the significance of learning the Chinese language, particularly for youth aspiring to take advantage of the opportunities arising from CPEC projects. He praised the China Window administration for organizing free Chinese language courses and lauded the initiative to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, marking it as a gesture of solidarity with our Chinese brothers and sisters.
Expressing his delight at visiting the China Window, Swati noted that the center not only fosters a positive and constructive role in strengthening Pakistan-China friendship but also enriches the people of Peshawar and the entire province with Chinese cultural awareness.
Earlier in the event, Engineer Syed Mehmood and Arshad Aziz Malik acknowledged the Chinese people’s enthusiasm for their festivals, including the Dragon Boat Festival. They conveyed that the celebrations in Peshawar would send a clear message to China of our shared joy and solidarity. They expressed confidence that such events would further solidify the Pak-China friendship. The guests were also treated to documentaries showcasing the Dragon Boat Festival.
