Shehzad's Chinese mentor

Karachi's K-IV project, carried out by China Harbour Engineering Co and the CCCC Second Harbor Engineering Co, is the largest livelihood project in Pakistan to date and a key project in the Belt and Road Initiative.

As work on the project progressed, assistant project manager Li Wenbin faced a challenge — how to ensure normal construction on-site given the severe security situation in Pakistan and restrictions on the movement of Chinese personnel.

Shehzad, a young Pakistani man who had just graduated from Yangtze University with a degree in civil engineering, had focused his thesis on urban pipeline installation. He had a pleasant conversation with Li, who decided to mentor Shehzad and have him supervise the construction on-site in his stead.

Although Shehzad had the necessary expertise, he lacked practical experience. As a newcomer to the company, he was unfamiliar with on-site construction but was eager to learn. In addition to learning site management, he wanted to learn Chinese from his mentor. To teach him, Li took Shehzad to the construction sites, shared his experiences, and even spent half an hour each evening teaching him Chinese.

Through this intensive training, Shehzad mastered construction essentials, and his Chinese developed a strong Shanxi accent.

The issue of land acquisition and demolition for the Karachi's K-IV project had been a major headache, with locals showing strong resistance. Shehzad used the principles taught by Li to explain the benefits of the project to them. Meanwhile, Li analyzed the information collected by Shehzad, offered strategies, and helped facilitate local development by actions such as leveling roads, earning the villagers' trust.

Shehzad became Li's "proxy" for on-site construction. Shehzad and the Pakistani team were able to carry out tasks without instructions.

This cross-border mentor-mentee relationship continues to this day, exemplifying the spirit of cultural exchange and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.