The story of Pakistan–China relations is one of the most remarkable chronicles of modern international diplomacy. At a time when the world was polarised by cold-war politics, Pakistan and China found in each other a relationship that steadily grew from cautious beginnings into a towering edifice of friendship, cooperation and unyielding support across every sphere of national life.

This bond has endured regime changes, global upheavals and the shifting sands of international politics, yet it stands today as a shining example of unbroken trust between two sovereign nations.

When Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai charted the course of the new China, Pakistan was among the first countries to recognise the legitimacy of their government. At a time when the West was hesitant, Pakistan chose courage over convenience, and this act of foresight laid the groundwork for a relationship that has since matured into a brotherhood.

During the presidency of Field Marshal Ayub Khan, this understanding blossomed into strategic cooperation. It was Ayub Khan’s vision, supported by the statesmanship of Zhou Enlai, that placed the two nations on a road of collaboration. The construction of the Karakoram Highway was a monumental symbol of this partnership. Built through mountains that defied engineering, it became not merely a passage for commerce but also a corridor of friendship.

It was during the era of prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto that the alliance reached........

© The News International