On 20 September 2025 in Kashgar, President Asif Ali Zardari visited Kashgar University, where he was received by Mr Ding Bangwen, Party Secretary of the university, faculty members and students. Mr Yao Ning, CPC Party Secretary of Kashgar, was also present during the visit.
The President was briefed on the institution’s history and operations. Established in 1962 and elevated to full university status in 2015, Kashgar University now serves as a regional centre for learning and cultural exchange with three campuses and more than 40,000 students and faculty, including several hundred international students. University officials expect growth to nearly 50,000 in the coming years.
President Zardari praised the university’s contributions across science, engineering, technology, agriculture, social sciences, arts, culture, music and dance, and noted Kashgar University’s strategic position as the closest Chinese university to Pakistan, acting as a bridge for academic and cultural exchange between the two countries.
Emphasising the Pakistan-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership, the President highlighted the need to invest in youth and education to cement long-term ties. He was updated on the Centre for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) hosted at the university, which supports research and collaboration tied to the Belt and Road Initiative.
During engagement with students and faculty, President Zardari encouraged deeper academic and cultural linkages. He met Pakistani students from Gilgit, Hunza, Dir and Chitral and asked about their studies and living conditions. The students reported that tuition and accommodation are fully funded by the Chinese government and that they receive stipends for food and other needs. The President urged them to work hard and contribute to strengthening Pakistan-China friendship.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Sindh Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, the Pakistani Ambassador to China and the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan accompanied the President throughout the visit, underscoring the visit’s diplomatic and educational significance for Pakistan.
