161 Pakistani students to return to China soon, says Education Minister – 96 visas already issued by Chinese Embassy

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain has said that a group of around 161 Pakistani students will return to China soon to resume their studies.

Chairing a meeting here, the minister maintained that the process of returning Pakistani students would be immediately started in coordination with the Chinese government.

“An initial list of approximately 161 students was provided by HEC (Higher Education Commission of Pakistan) who would be returning back to China to continue their education via the first flight,” he added.

Hussain mentioned that the government had put top priority on resolving the issue of Pakistani students who were enrolled in Chinese Institutes.

Zhang Heqing, Cultural Counselor in Chinese Embassy informed that 96 Visas have been issued and reiterated that Chinese Embassy in Islamabad should assist in providing permission by the Chinese government for a chartered flight to China.

It was decided that the relevant Chinese authorities would be requested for two-way operating special flight so that students in China could also be facilitated in coming back to Pakistan.

Under the chairmanship of Rana Tanveer Hussain, a number of meetings have taken place between Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Higher Education Commission and Aviation Division with the Cultural Counselor in Chinese Embassy in order to start the return of Pakistani students to China.

The Monday afternoon meeting was in continuation of these efforts to resolve the issue of Pakistani students studying in China.

Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain directed that a special chartered flight shall be arranged to ensure the return of the Pakistani students to China.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs was asked to ensure facilitation of Pakistani students with respect to their Visas.

Hussain stressed that the issues of Pakistani students were of utmost importance and reiterated his resolve to ensure that the concerns of the Pakistani students will be addressed on priority basis.

He directed the forum to ensure speedy execution so that the loss of education of Pakistani students could be minimized on emergency basis.

The Federal Minister also thanked the Chinese government for the support and called Pakistan and China iron brothers. He underlined that such cultural exchange would lead to enhanced bilateral relationship and trade.