Print

    Silk Road: Entering Sindh-XIV

    Written by: Amna Javed
    Posted on: July 30, 2015 |

    Karachi - The City of Lights

    Making its way through the plains of Punjab the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor reaches the province of Sindh. With Kirthar Mountains in the west, desert landscape in the east and the Arabian Sea to its south, the province is known for its diverse geography and local culture.

    The corridor heading southwards passes through Sukkur, the third largest city of the province. Characterized by hot and hazy summer and a cool winter, the city is situated on the west bank of the River Indus. The long-established town has been an important strategic center and trading route in Sindh.

    Built on the River Indus with 66 gates, the Sukkur Barrage controls one of the largest irrigation systems in the world. Sukkur saw a significant socio-economic uplift once this barrage, one of the world’s largest, was built in 1930s. Made of yellow stone and steel, the Sukkur Barrage is 1,524 meters long and provides water to nearly 10 million acres (40,000 km2) of land through seven large canals.

    New Silk Road Route: River Indus, with Sukkur in the background

    River Indus, with Sukkur in the background

    Sukkur region is home to many small and large-scale industries including biscuit factories, vegetable oil and ghee mills, cutlery and ceramics, among others. Increased connectivity would provide a significant boost to these industries and would notably improve the socio-economic situation in the area.

    Moving further along the River Indus, the corridor then reaches Hyderabad, one of the fastest growing cities of the country. Founded by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro in 1768, Hyderabad was built along the banks of the mighty River Indus, on the ruins of a Mauryan fishing village. The area holds immense importance for archeologists from all over the world as it is located 110 kilometers away from important archeological digs investigating the pre-Harappan settlement of Amri.
    Amri is a Harrapan fortified town that dates back to 3600 BC. The city of Hyderabad is home to numerous ancient architectural sites, including the Pacco Qila (Hyderabad Fort) and the Kachha Qilla, which would be of interest to history buffs. These fortified residences were built by the Talpur rulers to keep out invaders during the 17th Century. In addition to these, the tombs of Talpur Mirs house the graves of Sindh’s former rulers who were defeated by the British in the famous battle of Miani. Another attraction for those visiting Hyderabad would be the Rani bagh – formerly a zoo, named after Queen Victoria of England. It has now been renovated and has been turned into a park with exotic animals such as lions, zebras, and different types of birds as well as horses.

    Rani Kot Fort

    Rani Kot Fort

    Located at a distance of 90 kilometers from the city, the Ranikot Fort is also a site worth visiting. Besides these, the history and heritage of Sindh and the Indus Valley Civilization is also preserved in the Sindh Museum, where artifacts from various ruling periods can be found. In addition to that, the mighty River Indus that flows alongside the city of Hyderabad has one of the finest fishing spots in the country.  An important commercial center with several industries, the region of Hyderabad is most popularly known for producing quality glass bangles.

    Kot Diji Fort

    Kot Diji Fort

    Moving further ahead from Hyderabad, the corridor then reaches the city of lights – Karachi – Pakistan’s largest and busiest metropolitan area. Famous as the city that never sleeps, Karachi is Pakistan’s center for banking, economic activity, trade and commerce and is home to the biggest corporations in the country. Karachi is located along the Arabian Sea coastline with two of the busiest ports in the region. With numerous historic sites and recreational activities, the city offers an unforgettable experience for all visitors.


    RELATED ARTICLES:

    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021