Beijing: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, concluded a two-day visit to Beijing where he participated in the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to civilizational exchange and expanding media cooperation with China.
The gathering in China’s capital city brought together some 600 participants from around 140 countries and regions. The event is part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), aimed at promoting dialogue, mutual understanding, and collaboration across cultures.
At the sideline of the opening ceremony on July 10, Minister Tarar praised President Xi’s vision in an exclusive interview with CGTN, describing the initiative as a great step toward making the world a better and safer place through mutual learning and mutual understanding.
His participation underscored the importance of fostering dialogue and collaboration between diverse civilizations in the areas of culture, media, and innovation.In the interview with CGTN, Tarar highlighted a range of bilateral agreements between Pakistan’s media institutions and Chinese counterparts such as China Media Group. Notably, he mentioned Pakistan Television (PTV) airs a Chinese news bulletin, China Express, four days a week.
Tarar called for further collaboration in digital content and influencer exchange, inviting Chinese social media figures to experience Pakistani culture firsthand.
At the sub-forum titled “Civilizational Exchanges and Mutual Learning: Cultural Inheritance and Innovation” on July 11, Minister Tarar delivered a key address.
He began by reaffirming Pakistan’s unique place in history. “We identify ourselves as the people of the Indus Valley Civilization,” he told the audience. “we not only share a border, we share mountains and we share rivers, and these mountains and rivers, carry along with it, a grand civilization, a great history.”
Tarar emphasized that the China-Pakistan relationship is rooted in shared history and common values. “The ancient Silk Road, which is now the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, is not only a trade route.
It is a route of friendship, a route which has arts, cultures, cuisines all linked with it. We are at the crossroads of civilization,” he said, describing China as Pakistan’s “iron brother—and sister.”
The visit comes amid growing momentum in China–Pakistan ties across strategic, economic, and cultural spheres. The emphasis on civilizational dialogue and narrative collaboration is being seen as a vital component as both countries navigate complex global landscape.
