Pakistan is experiencing an economic turnaround on its 69th birth anniversary. With a stable economic growth of 4.5 % and reserves hitting 17 billion, mainly from remittances sent by its diaspora, the percentage of those living in poverty has dropped from 35% to 13.5 %. The Standard and Poor’s upgrading of Pakistan, from stable to positive, is a confirmation of this trend.
However, Pakistan’s social problems are beginning to explode, and the recent horrific child abuse scandal involving hundreds of children in the District of Kasur, is a warning about the dislocation caused by one of the fastest urbanizing countries in the world, of which 60% are under thirty years of age. The increasing connectivity of Pakistan to the rest of the world through Internet, smart phones and a plethora of private television channels is breaking down the traditional culture and norms that provided a mooring to our societies. Given the large number of homeless and street children in our society, it is time that we addressed the scourge of pedophilia, and stopped being in denial about it.
As we take stock of where our country is headed, it becomes important to celebrate those individuals and organizations that have given back to our society in a variety of ways. Youlin has recognized their contributions by covering their activities. The list is long and growing, but we have selected a few of them for the slideshow: General Jahandad Khan, whose branches of the Al Shifa Eye Hospitals spread in different parts of the country treat the poor free of cost; Shaheen Atiqur Rehman, whose organization Bunyad works for the literacy and empowerment of the girl child and young women, and has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands in Punjab, and who is a torch bearer of a family steeped in the tradition of public service; Musarrat Misbah of Depilex, who has used her success in the salon business to help women victims of acid burns; Perveen Saeed who feeds 3000 families every day in Karachi’s Khuda ki Basti; and the AKRSP, which has brought about a silent revolution in the northern areas and has become a model for development the world over.
The civil society must step in where the government systems fail. Media is a powerful tool for positive change, and kudos to reporter Ashraf Javed who broke the Kasur story for The Nation, and the rest of the media for preventing a cover up.
As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.
Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.
Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.
YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.
Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.
Nong Rong
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
January 2021
Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir
Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir, 27 October 1947, when Indian military troops forcibly occupied Kashmir illegally, claiming a fraudulent ‘Instrument of Accession’ which never existed as documented by eminent British historian Alastair Lamb! Kashmir & Palestine are examples of illegal occupation & continued Resistance to Repression! There are so many commonalities in Kashmir & Palestine: both under brutal military occupation of foreign powers, both are facing an indigenous, popular, spontaneous & widespread Resistance & Uprising, both are in violation of UN Resolutions which haven’t been implemented, both are witnessing an attempted change in the demographic balance, both are facing the use of rape as a weapon of war, both are testimony to double-standards & hypocrisy of Western powers on human rights & fundamental rights, and both conflicts have an element of racism and Islamophobia, while enduring peace, security and stability will remain elusive in both regions, South Asia & Middle East, until these issues are resolved in accordance with popular aspirations.
