A solemn memorial service was held today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to honor the lives and services of the victims of the terrorist attack on Karachi University on 26 April 2022. Three Chinese teachers, Mr. Huang Guiping, Ms. Ding Mufang, and Ms. Chen Sai, as well as their Pakistani driver, Mr. Khalid Nawaz, laid down their lives in the line of duty on that day.
The memorial service was attended by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chargé d’Affaires of the People’s Republic of China in Islamabad Ms. Pang Chunxue, senior Chinese officials, and Chinese nationals from all walks of life in Pakistan. Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also attended the ceremony.
The Foreign Minister laid floral wreaths in remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice of the Chinese teachers and recorded his remarks in the Condolence Book.
Speaking on the occasion, Cd’A Ms. Pang Chunxue thanked the Government of Pakistan for organizing the memorial service. She appreciated the expression of solidarity and support by the entire Pakistani nation against the cowardly attack. She vowed that the blood of the Chinese people in nurturing this timeless friendship will not be in vain and that any attack aimed at the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China was doomed to fail.
The Foreign Secretary, in his remarks, highlighted that the tragic deaths of innocent teachers had caused deep shock and anguish to every Pakistani, but this had not deterred our resolve to defeat the scourge of terrorism. He underlined that Pakistan and China had always stood by each other and expressed the confidence that the two countries could counter any challenge by working together in their long-standing spirit of mutual support and close cooperation.
In his address, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reiterated his strong condemnation of the Karachi terrorist attack and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. The Foreign Minister stated that the entire nation grieved with the families and people of China at this terrible loss, and offered his heartfelt condolences. He expressed his determination to not allow anyone to harm the iron-clad friendship between Pakistan and China and underscored that the Pakistan-China “iron brotherhood” would continue to grow.
The whole nation is grieved and saddened. China is Pakistan’s closest friend and dependable partner. The strategic alliance with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Both countries enjoy political harmony and views on most of the domestic and interactions issue. Both nations have stood with each other shoulder by shoulder at all critical moments in history.
Few countries are jealous of our pure friendship, while some others are working on the anti-China agenda. They are over-engaged to contain China, countering China, and resisting the peaceful rapid rise of China. The common enemies of China and Pakistan have chosen Pakistan as a battlefield. They are trying to harm Chinese nationals, projects, and assets in Pakistan to damage the China-Pakistan eternal friendship.
While Pakistan has committed to protecting Chinese nationals, projects, and assets in Pakistan, and raised special forces for this purpose. Chinese recognizes Pakistan’s sincere efforts and tries to strengthen the special force. Security forces have made several attempts to fail and saved Chinese nationals and their interests. But, sometimes, exceptional cases happened, and China understands this situation very well.
China and Pakistan are working in close liaison to counter their common enemies and ensure that the culprits will be brought to justice. The strict measure will be opted to deal with them with iron hands. Both nations are on the same page and will collaborate to root out the menace of terrorism from this part of the world.
China and Pakistan are engaged in peaceful developments and regional security. The cooperation between us is purely for development and global security. Our relations are no threat to any third country and are not at the cost of any other nation.