ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan and China on Tuesday signed an agreement of implementing the project of manufacturing and maintenance of Chandelier at Mazar-i-Quaid.
Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui and Ambassador of China to Pakistan Sun Weidong signed the 13-page agreement here at ministry of National History and Literary Heritage.
Secretary National History and Literary Heritage S.M Haqani and other senior officials was also present on the occasion.
Addressing the signing ceremony, Adviser on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui said that since the first chandlier was manufactured by Chinese experts, the government requested China for technical assistance to manufacture a new chandlier as well.
But demonstrating very deep and lasting love to Pakistan, the Chinese government said since they had gifted the first chandlier to the Pakistani nation they should be provided an opportunity to manufacture a similar new chandlier, he said.
He said that work on the project started after a general understanding between the two countries while a ceremony to formally sign an agreement in this regard was held today.
He said whole nation appreciated the friendship and love of Chinese people for Pakistan, adding, “We are grateful to China for gift of the beautiful chandelier.”
He said that Mazar-e-Quaid is the symbol of unity and national cohesion, adding the decoration and care of Mazar-e-Quaid is the government’s top priority.
He thanked China government and people of China for the love and long lasting friendship between the two countries.
China Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said that “We look forward to work closely with Pakistan in all these fields with consensus. We want to push forward Pakistan China relations to new heights.”
He said that this Chandlier is an icon between China Pakistan friendship, adding that this chandlier was presented by Chinese government in 1971 and it was gifted by the Chinese Muslim Association.
He said that this year 65th anniversary for the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan and throughout more than six decades China and Pakistan always trusted each other, understand each other and support each other.
“We are all weather strategic cooperative partner and we have set a unique example for the state to state relation in this world,” he said.
Sun Weidong said that this chandlier has also represented this deep rooted friendship between our two friendly countries.
“In 2012, upon the request of Pakistan, China has agreed to give maintenance and also make replica and renewal of this chandlier after more than four decades,” he informed.
He said that “Now we have formally signed the agreement of the maintenance of this Chandlier and hope in near future new chandlier will be placed in great building Mazar-i-Quaid Muhammad Ali Jinnah.”
“Along with Pakistanis and Chinese visitors and visitors from all over the world visit Mausoleum to see Pak-China long time test friendship and the symbol of friendship in this Mazar,” he said.
He said that it will carry on this time test friendship generation to generation, it is another symbol of deep rooted friendship.
The detail of the Chandlier:
Length will be 23 meters, no of Tiers 4, Diameter of the First Tier 3 meters, Diameter of second Tier 2.3 meters, Diameter of the third Tier 2.3 meters and Diameter of the fourth Tier 1.7 meters. While length of first Tier will be 16, lights second Tier 10, Lights of third Tier 8, Lights of Fourth Tier 6, lights on crystal falls 8 and weight of Chandelier will be 2.3 tons. The total cost of the project is Rs. 220 millions.
The project of manufacturing chandelier has been assigned to the Chinese ministry of Trade, which has handed over the task of drawing the design of the chandlier and supervising other matters in this regard to the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design.
Source: APP
