Pakistan-China friendship cornerstone reaffirmed in Xinjiang during President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Urumqi on Thursday. In meetings with Chen Xiaojiang, Communist Party Secretary of Xinjiang, and Governor Erkin Tuniyaz, Zardari stressed that Islamabad will continue to expand cooperation in counter-terrorism, agriculture, livestock, mining, industry, and new technologies.
Strengthening ties through CPEC and cultural exchanges
The President praised Xinjiang’s rapid progress and highlighted its pivotal role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He said linking Xinjiang with Pakistan’s northern areas will deepen cultural and economic bonds. Zardari invited Xinjiang’s people to visit Gilgit-Baltistan and northern Pakistan, noting opportunities in Special Economic Zones.
Xinjiang’s growth and cooperation against terrorism
Chen Xiaojiang welcomed the President and recalled Zardari’s previous visits, including his 2011 trip to Urumqi and his February 2025 meetings in Beijing with President Xi Jinping. He highlighted Xinjiang’s GDP, which has surpassed 5.6 trillion yuan, and reaffirmed joint efforts against terrorism. He also noted recent visits of Pakistani provincial leaders and mentioned eight sister-city partnerships, including Urumqi-Peshawar.
Learning from Urumqi’s digital governance
Later, Zardari visited the Urban Operations and Management Centre in Urumqi. Officials briefed him on the Centre’s digital model that integrates more than 30 departments and delivers over 200 services. Zardari said Pakistan could learn valuable lessons from this system, particularly in city management and public services.
Visit to Xinjiang Islamic Institute
The President also toured the Xinjiang Islamic Institute, where Mukhtirei Sifu, the Institute’s head, received him. He was briefed about the curriculum that blends Islamic education with modern subjects and trains imams and scholars. The Institute accommodates nearly 1,000 students, and since 2001, over 28,000 graduates have served across Xinjiang. Zardari praised its services for the Muslim community and encouraged stronger cultural and academic exchanges.
Dinner hosted in honour of Zardari
The visit concluded with a dinner hosted by Chen Xiaojiang for the Pakistani delegation. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Sindh Energy Minister Nasir Shah, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China also attended.
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