Peshawar: A high-level 12-member delegation of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government led by Information Advisor Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif has left for China. The delegation is visiting China at the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Religious Diplomacy Program, which aims to further strengthen social, religious and cultural ties between China, Pakistan and the Muslim world.

The delegation includes Minister for Religious Affairs Adnan Qadri, Minister for Social Welfare Qasim Ali Shah, senior politician Sikandar Sherpao, DG Islamic Research Institute Dr. Zia, spokesperson of the Federation of Islamic Schools Maulana Abdul Quddus, and Vice President of Darul Uloom Karachi Maulana Zubair Ashraf Usmani, among other important figures.

Speaking before leaving, Barrister Saif said that the delegation will visit Beijing, Urumqi and Kashgar, where meetings are scheduled with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Communist Party leaders, Muslim scholars and educational institutions. The purpose of these meetings is to promote religious harmony, interfaith dialogue and cultural cooperation.

He expressed hope that the visit would give new impetus to the historic relations between Pakistan and China and also improve cooperation with the Muslim world.