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Federal Banking Ombudsman Sirajuddin Aziz has discussed the evolution of Pakistan-China relations, highlighting investment challenges, security concerns and differences in long-term national planning.
He delivered a talk titled “Friends, Not Partners: The Growth and Development of Pakistan’s Relationship with China” at the Quaid-e-Azam House Museum (QAHM) in Karachi.
The event attracted business leaders, academics, educators, bankers, civil society members and media representatives.
QAHM Secretary General Commodore Sadeed Malik opened the event with a welcome address. Ameena Saiyid, a member of the museum’s Board of Governors, introduced the speaker.
During his presentation, Aziz examined China’s transformation in the decades following the Cultural Revolution.
He compared the development paths of the two countries and discussed differences in governance, national discipline and planning.
Highlighting China’s approach to infrastructure development, he described the country’s attention to detail at major construction sites.
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Aziz also recalled former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai’s remarks to Henry Kissinger about Pakistan-China relations.
“A bridge once made is not used only once,” Zhou reportedly said.
Aziz said China continued to value its longstanding relationship with Pakistan. However, he argued that Pakistan no longer held the same priority in Beijing’s strategic considerations as it did during the 1970s.
He identified inadequate security for Chinese nationals as a major obstacle to deeper Chinese investment in Pakistan.
Drawing comparisons with African countries, Aziz said several nations had attracted substantial Chinese investment despite regional challenges by providing stronger security arrangements for Chinese workers.
The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session with participants.
QAHM Vice Chairman Ikram Sehgal delivered the concluding remarks. He emphasised the importance of long-term planning and policy continuity.
Recalling an observation from a Chinese counterpart, Sehgal said: “Pakistanis plan for five to ten years; China plans for a hundred.”
He also cited Japan as an example of policy continuity, noting that the country’s core economic policies had remained consistent despite changes in prime ministers.
Sehgal also praised Aziz’s professional contributions to Pakistan’s banking sector.
He recalled working with him during Aziz’s tenure as President of Bank Alfalah and credited him with helping strengthen the institution.
Sehgal further acknowledged Aziz’s work as Federal Banking Ombudsman, particularly his role in addressing complaints and providing relief to banking consumers.
Prominent attendees included Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Saeeda Laghari, Mahnaz Rahman, Shahida Jamil, Ikhtiar Baig and Majyd Aziz.
The Quaid-e-Azam House Museum said events of this kind support informed discussions about Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s history and the country’s evolving position in the international community.
