Chitral looking to China for opening of technical institutes

CHITRAL, Feb 17: The convener of Chitral-China Friendship Forum, Professor Rahmat Karim Baig, has demanded of the government of China to establish a technical university in Chitral in view of its proximity and historical relations with the country. Addressing a press conference here, he said that the Chinese ruled Chitral from 5th to 7th century A.D. while trade relations remained intact till 1920s till the Bolshevik revolution in Russia. He said that there was a great imprint of Chinese culture and language on Chitral as its literature and language was replete with Chinese and the historical trade route passing through the Yarkhoon valley testified the relationship. Professor Baig said that the people have a great desire to restore the old relations between Chitral and China and they hold the Chinese in great esteem which has recently been strengthened when a number of Chinese construction firms have arrived here for road and tunnel projects. He said that some China based mining companies have also started work on exploration of mines, minerals and gem stones in Chitral and all this led to the revival of the centuries old relations. Mr. Baig said that the people of Chitral suffered from abject poverty despite the fact that their district was full of natural resources which can be exploited to change their fates for better and all it was not possible without application of technology for which they in dire need of help from China. He said that the technical university in the area will bring about a revolution of development which will enable the people to derive direct benefit from the knowledge, expertise and experience of China while it will render Chitral into a financial hub. Suggesting a short-term measure, Mr. Baig asked the Chinese government to start a Chinese language centre in Chitral so that the local people could learn Chinese which will broaden the base of relationship between the two.–Zahiruddin]]>