(APP): Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Tuesday said that China was ready to build partnerships with the Islamic world for the promotion of multilateralism and democracy in international relations as well as for unity and cooperation.
“China is ready to build four partnerships with Islamic countries. We should be partners of unity and cooperation… We need to be partners in development and revitalization… We need to be safe and stable partners,” Wang Yi said in his address as a special guest at the opening ceremony of the 48th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Council of Foreign Ministers here.
This is the first time for the Chinese foreign minister to attend the OIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which he said, fully demonstrated the sincere desire of China and the Islamic world to strengthen exchanges and cooperation and would surely push bilateral relations to a new level.
He said China was ready to work with Islamic countries to promote a multipolar world, democracy in international relations, and diversity of human civilizations, and make unremitting efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Wang Yi said China would continue to support Islamic countries in applying Islamic wisdom to solve contemporary hotspot issues and firmly hold in our own hands the key to maintaining stability and promoting peace.
He told the gathering of foreign ministers from across the Muslim world that China would continue to stand firmly on the side of the Palestinian people and support the early convening of a more authoritative and representative international peace conference on the basis of the two-state solution to promote a comprehensive and just settlement of the issue.
He said China would respect the choice made by the Afghan people, support Afghanistan in achieving inclusive government and steady governance.
“On the Kashmir issue, we have once again heard the call of many Islamic friends. China shares the same aspiration,” he remarked.
Moreover, he said China supported Russia and Ukraine in continuing peace talks for the sake of a ceasefire, an end to war, and peace.
“We need to prevent humanitarian disasters and prevent the spillover of the Ukrainian crisis from affecting or harming the legitimate rights and interests of other regions and countries,” the Chinese foreign minister remarked.
He said China would continue to provide 300 million doses of vaccines to Islamic countries to help them build a defense of health. With high-quality belt and Road cooperation and joint implementation of global development initiatives as the twin engines, China would lead the trend of South-South cooperation.
He said over the years, China and the Muslim world had always respected and trusted each other and supported each other’s core concerns.
“We will never forget that Algeria and other countries jointly submitted a resolution, and nearly 30 Islamic countries firmly supported it, to help China restore its legal status in the UN. Similarly, China has never hesitated or been absent in its support for the Palestinian issue, which is of the greatest concern to the Islamic world,” Wang Yi commented.
He said after the COVID outbreak, Islamic countries immediately offered China valuable support, and China also provided 1.3 billion doses of vaccines and a large amount of anti-epidemic supplies to 50 Islamic countries in a timely manner.
To date, China has signed cooperation documents with 54 Islamic countries and carried out nearly 600 major projects involving 400 billion US dollars, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, he added.
The Chinese foreign minister said both the Chinese civilization and the Islamic civilization had made great contributions to human civilization in history.
“They have been treated unfairly in modern times. Now they are joining hands on the road of development and rejuvenation. We should vigorously advocate equal-footing dialogue, exchanges, and mutual learning among civilizations, draw wisdom from each other’s time-honored civilizations, and jointly resist discrimination and clash of civilizations.”
He said the theme of the moot reflected the common aspiration of most countries in the world.
He suggested upholding exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, opposing the theory of “the superiority of civilizations”, the theory of “clash of civilizations”, and the distortion and smear of non-Western civilizations.
He also called for deepening preventive counter-terrorism and deradicalization cooperation, rejecting “double standards” in counter-terrorism, and opposing the linking terrorism with any particular ethnic group or religion.
The Sandak Project, also known as the Saindak Copper-Gold Project, is a significant mining and metallurgical enterprise located in the remote Chagai District of Balochistan, Pakistan. It is a key initiative in the country’s efforts to harness its natural mineral resources and contribute to economic development.
Location
The Sandak Project is situated near Sandak Town, close to the Pakistan-Iran border in a region known for its rich mineral deposits. This area is part of the larger Tethyan Metallogenic Belt, a geologically rich zone that spans several countries.
Discovery and Development
Discovery: The presence of significant copper and gold reserves in Sandak was identified in the 1970s by the Geological Survey of Pakistan.
Development: Initial mining operations began in the early 1990s with Chinese assistance. Since then, the project has seen periodic advancements in exploration, extraction, and production technologies.
Mineral Resources
The project focuses primarily on the extraction of copper, gold, and silver.
Copper: The main component, extracted in the form of concentrates, which are then exported for processing.
Gold and Silver: By-products of copper mining, adding to the economic value of the project.
Operations and Partnership
The Sandak Project is operated through a collaboration between the Government of Pakistan and Chinese companies, notably the China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC).
Role of MCC: The Chinese corporation is responsible for mining operations, ore processing, and the overall management of the project.
Revenue Sharing: The profits are shared between Pakistan and MCC based on predefined agreements, contributing significantly to the regional economy.
Economic Significance
Export Revenue: The project generates substantial export revenues through the sale of copper concentrates.
Job Creation: It provides direct and indirect employment opportunities for local communities, helping alleviate poverty in the region.
Infrastructure Development: The project has led to the development of roads, power plants, and other infrastructure in the Chagai District.
Challenges
Resource Depletion: Concerns about the long-term sustainability of the reserves, as current estimates indicate limited quantities of copper and gold.
Environmental Impact: Mining operations have raised issues of ecological degradation and water resource depletion.
Political and Security Issues: The Chagai region is affected by political instability and security concerns, impacting the smooth operation of the project.
Revenue Transparency: There are calls for greater transparency in revenue sharing and reinvestment in local communities.
Future Prospects
Exploration Expansion: Efforts are underway to discover additional reserves in surrounding areas.
Technological Upgrades: Incorporating advanced mining and processing technologies to improve efficiency.
Local Investment: Increasing investments in local infrastructure, healthcare, and education to ensure community benefits.
Conclusion
The Sandak Project is a testament to Pakistan’s vast natural resource potential. While it contributes significantly to the country’s economy, addressing environmental, political, and community concerns is essential for ensuring the project’s long-term success. By balancing economic gains with sustainable practices, Sandak can continue to be a vital asset for Pakistan’s development trajectory.
I just came to know that Pakistan is ranked the second number in the world’s list of salt reserves. So I thought it better to share it with you as well. Most of the salt reserves are located in the district of Jhelum in the Punjab province. In this write, I would like to introduce you to Khewra Salt Mines.
Khewra Salt Mines
Khewra Salt Mines are a bit far from Islamabad. The distance is around 160 kilometers from Islamabad and approximately 15 kilometers north of the Jhelum settlement of Pind Dadan Khan. This place is more fascinating and attractive for the tourist. This amazing place was discovered in 326 BC by the army of Alexander the Great while marching through Pakistan with their horses. Luckily their horses started licking the rocks so a soldier replicated them and revealed the secret. And today it has been ranked at the second number in terms of size.
Khewra Mine Looks Like
The Khewra Salt Mines are the earliest salt mines in the history of salt mining on the Indian subcontinent. In the form of an irregular dome-like structure, salt is found in nature. It is possible to find seven broad salts seems with a combined thickness of around 150 meters. This is the place where one can find 99 percent pure salt. More interestingly you would find different colors of salt like transparent, white, pink, reddish, or beef-color red.
It is not just a salt mine but a full-fledged closet to visit. The mines are filled with architectural wonders such as mosques, a copy of the Minar-e-Pakistan, a sanatorium, Chaghi Mountain, and various other brightly colored structures made entirely of salt bricks. The monuments are illuminated from within by lights. One can find Sheesh Mahal which is also known as the palaces of mirrors. The walls of the palace are made up of clear salt and water pools are lighten up with lamps.
Besides, its popularity for high-quality salt, it is also known for its gypsum, marble, lime clay, potash, coal, and a variety of other minerals.
Annual Production of Salt
Khewra mines are regarded to be the most ancient in the history of salt mining on the subcontinent. Salinity was assessed to be 98 percent pure in 2018, resulting in the annual production of 389,134 tons of pure salt. In addition to the cash generated by the production, a substantial amount is generated by the approximately 40,000 visitors who come to the site every month. The anticipated yearly production of pink, white, & red salt is about 347,000 tons, with the majority of it being sold to China, India, the United States, and Germany.
By knowing this I think this is a worth visiting place. And amazingly the visiting ticket cost just 220 Rupees per head and half for students and children. Moreover, the visiting timing is from 9 am to 5 pm.
a poet, philosopher, and politician but also a visionary who planted the seeds of unity, self-respect, and resilience in the hearts of Muslims in the Indian subcontinent. Iqbal’s words were the catalysts that motivated people to recognize their potential, unite under a shared purpose, and ultimately pave the way for an independent Pakistan. His poetry and philosophy still resonate, reminding us of the values we hold dear and the power of unity, faith, and discipline in overcoming challenges.
Iqbal’s Philosophy: A Call to Selfhood and Unity
Iqbal was deeply influenced by the concept of “Khudi,” or selfhood, which he introduced as an idea of recognizing and cultivating the inner strength within each individual. He encouraged Muslims to develop their personal and spiritual strength, advocating for a life driven by purpose and unwavering resolve. For Iqbal, the idea of “Khudi” was not merely about individual development but about understanding that one’s personal strength contributes to the strength of the entire nation.
He also emphasized unity, which he saw as an essential component for the progress and survival of any community. Iqbal believed that unity was the bedrock upon which a nation could stand strong, and he used his poetry to inspire a collective identity that transcended individual differences. His call to unity was not just for the Muslims of India but for all who valued justice, peace, and a meaningful life.
The Message of Faith and Discipline
Iqbal’s poetry speaks powerfully about faith—faith in God, in oneself, and in the potential of a unified community. His famous verse, Sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi hain, abhi ishq ke imtihan aur bhi hain (There are worlds beyond the stars, and many more tests of love to come), exemplifies his belief that faith could elevate one’s spirit to new heights. Iqbal saw faith as an energizing force that could help people transcend their limitations, reach their aspirations, and maintain hope in the face of adversity.
For Iqbal, discipline was the natural partner of faith. He believed that true faith must be complemented by discipline to channel energy into productive efforts. In his view, a disciplined nation, united in its principles, would have the resilience to face any challenge, no matter how overwhelming.
Iqbal’s influence extends beyond his lifetime, continuing to inspire generations. His poetry and philosophy encourage today’s youth to take pride in their heritage, recognize their potential, and work for a prosperous future. Pakistan’s youth, often regarded as the nation’s greatest asset, can find guidance in Iqbal’s call for unity, faith, and discipline. In a world filled with distractions, his message remains clear: true progress lies in developing oneself and working together for the greater good.
Unity in Diversity: Building a Nation
Iqbal’s vision of Pakistan was one where people, regardless of ethnic or linguistic background, would come together as one. His poetry remains a symbol of this unity, speaking of brotherhood and harmony. He knew that for Pakistan to succeed, its people would have to put aside their differences and focus on a shared goal. This vision is especially relevant today, as a diverse Pakistan works toward the common ideals that Iqbal cherished.
Conclusion: Soaring Together as One Nation
Allama Iqbal’s philosophy of selfhood, unity, faith, and discipline is a timeless message. His words urge us to become better versions of ourselves and to use our strengths to build a stronger, more united Pakistan. By embracing his teachings, we can truly embody the spirit that drives a nation forward. As Pakistan continues to face challenges, Iqbal’s words serve as a reminder that by standing together with a shared vision, Pakistan can not only overcome any adversity but also soar to greater heights.
