ISLAMABAD:  Pakistan’s First Lady, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, praised Chinese doctors on Tuesday for their "compassion and dedication" in saving the lives of Pakistani children with congenital heart disease and called for the establishment of a joint medical center to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Mid-Autumn Celebration, titled “A Shared Beaming Moon, All United Hearts and Hands,” at the Chinese Embassy, the First Lady hailed the festival as a symbol of “harmony and unity”—values she said perfectly reflect the deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and China.

“Tonight, as the moonlight touches Islamabad and Beijing, it illuminates the path of shared prosperity, peace, and development,” Ms. Bhutto Zardari stated. “The lives of our children saved by Chinese doctors are living symbols of turning words into action. No country has extended such compassion to our people in this way, and it defines our relationship.”

Addressing the gathering hosted by Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, the First Lady outlined a comprehensive vision for future medical collaboration. Her proposals included:

· The establishment of a Bilateral Pediatric Cardiology Partnership to facilitate joint surgical missions and structured medical training.

· A Telemedicine and Knowledge-Sharing Network to link Pakistan’s premier institutions, the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) and the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), with China’s Fuwai Hospital for real-time consultation and research.

· An annual fellowship program to train a new generation of Pakistani specialists in pediatric cardiology and surgery in China.

· A Joint Pakistan-China Centre of Excellence for Pediatric Cardiac Care as a permanent symbol of friendship, providing world-class treatment within Pakistan.

Citing the vision of her mother, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the First Lady reiterated that “health is not a privilege but a basic right of every individual.” She added, “As we celebrate this reunion, we also celebrate the blooming lives of our children who now have a future.”

In his address, Ambassador Jiang Zaidong welcomed the First Lady and underscored the enduring bond between the two nations. He paid special tribute to Prof. Dr. Pan Xiangbin, Vice President of China’s Fuwai Hospital, for his extraordinary dedication in treating Pakistani children despite significant challenges.

“China and Pakistan are not only iron brothers but also iron sisters,” Ambassador Jiang said, highlighting over 70,000 health packages distributed to women in Balochistan under joint initiatives. He also praised the First Lady for her contributions to women’s empowerment, education, and health.

The event featured emotional testimonies from parents and children who had received life-saving treatment in China, expressing profound gratitude to the Chinese medical teams.

In an online address, Dr. Pan Xiangbin emphasized the lasting impact of the collaboration. “This partnership is not only about treatment; it is also a form of spiritual healing,” he remarked, echoing the shared belief in “teaching a man how to fish instead of feeding him a fish every day.”