Olympians praise Pakistan-China friendship during visit to China Window Centre

Peshawar: Former Pakistan hockey Olympian Samiullah Khan said on Saturday that friendship between Pakistan and China is everlasting and admired around the world, as he visited the China Window Centre, a Chinese cultural centre in Peshawar.

Samiullah, widely known as the Flying Horse, was accompanied by seven other Pakistani Olympians: Naeem Akhtar, Nasser Ali, Ayaz Mahmood, Dr Aatif Bashir, Shakeel Abbasi, Rahim Khan and Kashif Jawad. Former Pakistan squash champion Qamar Zaman was also present during the visit.

Speaking to the media, Samiullah said he was pleased to visit the centre and was encouraged to learn that the cultural facility was playing an important role in promoting ties between Pakistan and China.

“I have participated in several tournaments in China, where I received immense warmth and hospitality. That is why the people of our two countries share such a deep bond of love,” said Samiullah, who is also serving as the chief selector of the Pakistan Hockey Federation.

He said China shows strong interest in Pakistan’s economic progress and referred to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as the country’s economic lifeline.

Samiullah also highlighted closeness between the two countries in sports and said he hoped to see a friendly hockey series between Pakistan and China, so that regular matches could be organised between the two sides.

“On the sports field as well, both nations are very close. I wish to see a friendly hockey series between Pakistan and China so that regular matches can be arranged between the two countries,” he added.

The other Olympians who joined the visit also congratulated the Chinese people, particularly athletes, on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.

They also voiced confidence that relations between the two countries would become stronger in the coming years.

Visit highlights cultural and sporting ties

The visit brought together former leading names from Pakistan’s hockey and squash circles at the China Window Centre in Peshawar, which was described during the occasion as a platform contributing to stronger people-to-people and cultural links between the two countries.

The remarks made during the visit focused on both the broader bilateral relationship and the role of sports in deepening engagement. Samiullah’s comments drew on his own experience of competing in China, where he said he had received a warm welcome.

The gathering also marked the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations, with the visiting Olympians extending their good wishes to the Chinese people and expressing hope for even closer ties ahead.