by Shafqat Ali 

 

LAHORE, Feb 2 (Gwadar Pro) - A five-member Pakistan squad left for China on Tuesday afternoon to feature in the Beijing 2020 Winter Olympics to be held on February 4.

 

“The party comprises one athlete and four officials,” said Secretary, Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), Muhammad Khalid Mahmood here.

 

Mahmood mentioned that the Pakistan Contingent has completed all the Covid-19 requirements before travelling to Beijing as per instructions of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China as well as the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

 

The squad includes Syed Noman Ali, Chef de Mission, Nadeem Ajmal Khan, Team Leader and Official, Muhammad Karim, Athlete Muhammad Qamar Mirza, Covid Liaison Officer and Coach, Agha Hunain Abbas Khan, Olympic Attache, (From the Embassy of Pakistan in China).

 

“POA has made the accreditation and travel arrangements of the contingent,” Mahmood maintained adding that “Muhammad Karim, Alpine Skiing Athlete will compete in the Slalom event on 16 February.”

 

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to be among the world leaders to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics as he looks to "express solidarity" with China.

 

Foreign Minister Shah Manmond Qureshi has confirmed Khan’s decision to participate in the ceremony, scheduled to be held on February 4, after receiving an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

 

PM Khan, the former international cricketer, is expected to be in China from February 3 to 5. During his three-day visit, PM Khan is due to stage meetings with Xi and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang as well as attend the Games.

 

It is hoped that PM Khan’s visit will strengthen Pakistan’s "All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership" with China. “The main purpose of the visit is to express solidarity,” FM Qureshi remarked. “History shows that Pakistan and China have always stood by each other in difficult times,” he added.

 

This article originally appeared on Gwadar Pro.