Work on Pak-China Friendship Centre to start this year

ISLAMABAD - The Chinese government intends to start work on Pak-China Friendship Centre near Shakarparian in the last quarter of 2008, which is likely to be completed in two years.
"Presently, a four-member delegation from Shanghai Construction Company is in Pakistan. The company has singed construction contract of Pak-China Friendship Centre on Sunday", an official told TheNation on condition of anonymity here on Tuesday.
He further informed that the live wires are being removed at the sight where the centre would be built. The office of the Chinese construction company would also be embellished shortly in Islamabad.
The official said that it would play a key role in endorsement of cultural activities and would be jointly used by Pakistan and China. Operation and maintenance would be the obligation of the government of Pakistan.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Government of China had offered to build Pak-China Friendship Centre, Islamabad, when Shaukat Aziz as Prime Minister had visited China in December 2004 and the Chinese Premier laid the foundation stone during his visit to Pakistan in April 2005. In 2007 the government of Pakistan had formally approved a mega project of Pak-China Friendship Centre, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,530 million. However, so far, the Government of Pakistan in outgoing fiscal year has allocated Rs 95 million. Talking about engagements of the Chinese team, the official said that it is in town for last few days and has visited various places of the Capital along with officials of the Culture Ministry. The delegation also met with high officials of the Culture Ministry and discussed important matters regarding project.
The objective of the project is to highlight and strengthen the deep relationship between China and Pakistan. The Centre is a gift from the government of China for the people of Pakistan that will be jointly used for culture exchanges, displays, conferences and cultural shows to further strengthen friendship and cultural ties between the two countries.