PESHAWAR: The religious leaders of Pakistan and China held talks in the headquarters of Islamic Association of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in Urumqi, China, during the visit of a Pakistani delegation to the region.

A statement issued here said that both the delegations discussed ways of cooperation between China and Pakistan for fruitful religious engagements and connectivity.

The head of Chinese delegation, Mamat Ali, the vice-president of Islamic Association of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, informed the Pakistani delegation that Muslims in Xinjiang Autonomous Region were freely practicing Islam.

He said that there were hundreds of mosques and seminaries in the region that were providing religious education of Quran and Sunnah to Muslims. He said that there was no more terrorism in the region and no terrorist activity had been held for last 10 years in Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

The head of Pakistani delegation, Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, thanked the Chinese government for the hospitality and talked about the religious life of Pakistan. He also highlighted religious diversity in Pakistan.

Prof Mohammad Ziaul Haq briefed the participants about Pakistan’s initiative of Paigham-i Pakistan. He informed the Islamic Association of Xinjiang Autonomous Region that around 6,000 Pakistani ulema endorsed that proactive narrative. It is not only a narrative but a movement for peace-building and social reconstruction in Pakistan.

Sahibzada Adnan Qadri, KP minister for religious affairs, Syed Qasim Ali Shah, KP minister for social welfare, and Maulana Zubair Ashraf Usmani, deputy president of Darul Uloom Karachi, briefed the Chinese Muslims about the religious life of Pakistan. Both parties agreed to work together for more close collaboration between Pakistan and China for better religious understandings.

Before the meeting, Pakistani delegation visited Urumqi Shaanxi Mosque, Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, High-Tech Plant Factory Technology Development and Yuejin Street South Community, Heijiashan Street.

Pakistani delegation also visited Xinjiang International Convention and Exhibition Centre to inspect exhibition on counter-terrorism and anti-extremism in Xinjiang. The Pakistani delegation was informed about the efforts of Chinese government for countering and prevention of violent extremism.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2025