ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT ): “Our engagement underscores an important dimension of the Pakistan-China relationship, and that is the strength rests not only on intergovernmental cooperation, but also on sustained political understanding, institutional linkages and exchanges between our political parties.”_ This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who was co-chairing the “Symposium on Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building and Seminar on China-Pakistan Governance” with Mr. Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), held in Islamabad. The event was jointly organised by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) at the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad.
Addressing the symposium, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar underscored the role of political parties in governance, institution-building and national development. He highlighted the broad-based political consensus underpinning Pakistan-China friendship and called for closer party-to-party exchanges and mutual learning to further strengthen the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. He also emphasised the importance of political consensus and continuity for advancing CPEC’s next phase.
In his keynote address, Mr. Liu Haixing thanked Pakistan’s leadership for promoting party-to-party exchanges to deepen bilateral cooperation. He highlighted the role of Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building in strengthening the CPC, institutional governance and national development, emphasising party discipline, anti-corruption, people-centred governance and institutional capacity. He also underscored the longstanding political trust between Pakistan and China as the two countries mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and highlighted the establishment of the Pakistan-China Research Centre for Party and State Governance as a platform for dialogue and cooperation.
Senator Sherry Rehman conveyed the congratulatory message of President Asif Ali Zardari, reaffirming Pakistan’s longstanding friendship with China and highlighting the importance of mutual trust, political consensus and institutional cooperation. The message also emphasised enhanced cooperation under CPEC’s next phase in industrial development, agriculture, technology, connectivity and employment.
Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar also read out the congratulatory message of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, which appreciated China’s achievements under President Xi Jinping and highlighted the importance of people-centred governance, institutional integrity and accountability. The message called for greater cooperation in governance, leadership training and CPEC Phase II. Senator Anusha Rahman, Additional Secretary General of PML-N, conveyed the congratulatory message of former Prime Minister and PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, emphasising inter-party dialogue, institutional cooperation and political consensus for advancing CPEC and Pakistan-China relations.
Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, highlighted key lessons from China’s experience, including people-centred governance, accountability, strong institutions and long-term national planning. He emphasised the importance of political cooperation, youth engagement and governance exchanges in advancing UDAAN Pakistan and CPEC 2.0.
Syed Nayyer Hussain Bukhari, Secretary General of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), highlighted the historical role of the PPP in strengthening Pakistan-China relations and called for greater exchanges between political parties, particularly in leadership development, research, technology, agriculture and other areas of mutual interest. He also welcomed the establishment of the Pakistan-China Research Centre for Party and State Governance.
Former Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, described the symposium as a historic initiative and highlighted the importance of people-centred governance, effective leadership and institutional capacity.
The symposium also featured recorded messages from political leaders from Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Maldives, who shared perspectives on party building, governance, accountability and mutual learning. The event was also attended by the Foreign Secretary Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, representatives of various political parties and think tanks, senior government officials, diplomats and academics.
