Pakistan

First batch of Pakistani students return to China after Covid restrictions

It is our national duty to facilitate youth in their pursuit of knowledge, says education minister

APP June 21, 2022

As many as 105 students were returning today and soon the rest would also be able to fly back to China. PHOTO: APP

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain visited the Islamabad Airport to see off the first batch of Pakistani students going back to China after travel restrictions imposed due to Covid-19 were lifted.

The federal minister along with senior officials of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (FE&PT) and Higher Education Commission met with the departing students.

Tanveer congratulated the students on their return to China to complete their education. “It is our national duty to facilitate the youth in their pursuit of knowledge, he said.”

He acknowledged that the students were facing difficulties for two years and had contacted HEC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of FE&PT.

He said that the Ministry of FE&PT took lead in this matter and approached the relevant Chinese authorities, PIA and Civil Aviation Authority to resolve the matter on urgent basis.

He praised PIA that despite the busy Hajj schedule, they managed a flight for the Pakistani students.

Tanveer said that 105 students were returning and soon the rest would also be able to fly back.

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He acknowledged the efforts of Secretary Education Naheed Durani and ED HEC Shaista Sohail for their contribution toward the resolution of the issue.

The federal minister said that a number of deliberations were held between all relevant stakeholders including the Chinese Embassy, MoFEPT, HEC and MoFA to address the issue of 5,832 students who provided their particulars online to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad (MoFA).

The federal minister said that all 105 students have completed the procedural requirements for the ISB-XIY charter flight.

He continued that hopefully they would land safely at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport and resume their studies.

Tanveer said that the issues of Pakistani students were of utmost importance and reiterated his resolve to ensure that the concerns of the Pakistani students would be addressed on a priority basis.

He congratulated his team on this success and wished the students the best of luck in their future endeavours.