I grew up with special feelings for China as a result of watching Bruce Lee Kung Fu movies in my childhood, which were played once a week on Pakistan’s national television channel PTV.

I often read and watch news related to China and I have witnessed the remarkable and surprising development of the country in recent years. China has the largest power station, airport, radio space telescope and so on in the world. I can't believe how these buildings and structures were built on such a great scale, but these are all facts.

“Life is a long journey with a few critical steps, especially for people who are young,” Liu Qing, a famous Chinese writer, once said. The turning point in my life came when I decided to study in China. Looking back, thankful for my bravery and determination, I encountered the most beautiful China in my blossoming youth.

I arrived in China in Sep 2013, and I studied and lived in the city of Xi’an for the next 3 years, studying for a master’s degree at Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU). As a result, I often say to my Chinese friends that Xi’an was my first hometown in China.

I was able undertake my master’s and PhD thanks to Chinese government scholarships, and my PhD graduation was in 2020 from North China Electric Power University (NCEPU) in Beijing. In 2020, through campus recruitment, I landed myself a job at the headquarters of the China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corporation (CPECC). Later, I joined the international arm of the company and worked in departments including the International Energy Planning Center and the Russia Regional Business Center. Currently, I am working in the South Asia Regional Business Center, mainly focusing on the development of power markets in countries such as Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Beijing is an international city with a long history that gives it a significant place not only in China, but in the wider world. Living in Beijing is a wonderful experience as I’ve visited Great Wall four times and it was an exhilarating experience to hike it and reach the top. These were memorable moments for me and ones I feel proud of.  

Pakistan and China view themselves as brother countries and our friendship is deeper than the oceans and higher than the Himalaya Mountains. In Pakistan, whether on the streets and alleys or in the fields, one can feel the brotherly friendship between China and Pakistan everywhere.

I always get love and respect from Chinese people, whether or not they are my friends, they all are lovely people who are always helpful and kind to me. I respect and love them all from the bottom of my heart.

China has developed so fast that it has gone through profound changes in the last decade alone. It will be much more developed in the future. You can feel the progress every minute when you are in China, from daily life to nationwide anti-poverty efforts.

Life in China has become more convenient. For example, transportation in China has developed significantly and the old-styled, slow and time-consuming transportation has become history. No matter where you are in China, day or night, you can start your trip any time with simple operations on apps on your mobile phone.

The huge cultural and historical heritage of China and the unmatched sense of hospitality of its valiant people have been truly enriching to my mind and heart. I feel deeply privileged and honored to become a permanent resident in China as recently I’ve got my PR card. 

Thank you, China, a country which is also becoming my homeland.

I love China and love working here. As we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China, I wish China markedly better development. At the same time, I sincerely wish that China and Pakistan, which have a solid foundation for people-to-people exchanges, will continue to usher in a more beautiful interactive relationship.