ISLAMABAD: A Chinese delegation visiting Pakistan on Thursday unveiled sculptures of the founding fathers of both nations, Chairman Mao Zedong of China and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah of Pakistan, in a ceremony, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailing the event as a testament to the historic bonds between the two nations.

The event honored the pivotal roles of Mao and Jinnah in shaping the destinies of their respective nations. Mao led China through a transformative revolution, laying the foundation for its rise as a global power, while Jinnah, revered as

Pakistan’s father of the nation, spearheaded the movement for the creation of an independent homeland for Muslims in South Asia.

Last year, Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Beijing unveiled similar statues of the two leaders during a ceremony attended by high-ranking Chinese officials and dignitaries.

The sculptures unveiled in Pakistan’s federal capital today were created by veteran Chinese artist Yuan Xikun, who expressed his pride in contributing to this historic project.

“It’s a great honor for me to be here at the Prime Minister’s Office for the unveiling ceremony of the sculptures of Pakistan’s father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the brave leader of China, Chairman Mao Zedong, which I had been invited to create,” Yuan said.

“It’s the best commemoration of the 148th anniversary of the birth of Jinnah and the 131st anniversary of the birth of Mao Zedong,” he added.

Pakistan marked Jinnah’s birth anniversary, which falls on December 25, just a day ago, while China is commemorating Mao’s birthday today, December 26.

The Chinese sculptor said the inauguration of the statues reaffirmed the common admiration and respect that the two nations have for their leaders.

He also maintained the ceremony symbolized the brotherhood between the two countries.

Prime Minister Sharif, who was present at the gathering, underscored the depth of Pakistan-China relations, describing them as a model of mutual respect, trust and cooperation.

“The historic bonds between Pakistan and China forged over decades are a testament to our shared values, mutual respect, trust, and cooperation,” he said.

Highlighting the multifaceted collaboration between the two nations, Sharif praised initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), cultural exchanges and educational programs.

“Hundreds of young Pakistani students visiting Chinese universities and learning Mandarin are building a bridge between Beijing and Islamabad,” he added, adding the first batch of Pakistani agriculture graduates would visit China early next year to gain expertise in modern farming techniques.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Thursday outlined Pakistan’s key bilateral engagements for 2024 during a year-end briefing, saying 2024 was dominated by “robust” engagements with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. 

Pakistan has been pushing for foreign investment in a bid to shore up its $350 billion economy as it navigates a challenging recovery path and has been buttressed by a $7 billion facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in September. It has particularly looked to strengthen ties with allies and friendly nations, particularly the UAE, which said it would invest $10 billion in promising economic sectors, and Saudi Arbia, which has promised a $5 billion investment package that cash-strapped Islamabad desperately needs to shore up foreign reserves and fight a chronic balance of payment crisis.

“There was a robust exchange of high-level engagements between Pakistan and the GCC countries,” Baloch said in her last briefing of the year 2024, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif undertook four official visits to Saudi Arabia which had consolidated the two nations’ “strategic and economic partnership.”

“Important understandings were reached with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in political security and economic domains, and to translate the commitment between Pakistan and his Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Salman to expedite investment package worth $5 billion,” the spokeswoman said. 

Pakistani and Saudi businesses signed 34 MoUs worth $2.8 billion in October. The prime minister’s office said this month seven of the 34 MoUs had been actualized into agreements worth $560 million.

The foreign office spokeswoman said trade and investment opportunities also remained a key focus of Pakistan’s bilateral engagements with Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE in 2024.

“Cooperation will be prioritized with these countries in energy, mining and aviation sectors,” she told reporters.

In May this year, Sharif said UAE’s Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had “made a commitment of investing $10 billion in multiple sectors.”

Last month, the government’s spokesperson Attaullah Tarar said Qatar would invest $3 billion in diverse Pakistani sectors. In June, Pakistan also signed a loan agreement with Kuwait for $25 million for Mohmand Dam, with assurances of support from the Kuwait Fund that it would engage its Arab Coordination Group to finance Diamer Bhasha Dam. 

Pakistan and Kuwait also signed agreements on industrial cooperation and engineering in May.