October 4, 2002	Friday	Rajab 26, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 3: The outgoing Japanese ambassador, Sadaaki Numata, and his wife hosted a reception at their residence on Wednesday evening to say good-bye to their friends and colleagues as the ambassador’s two-and-a-half year’s tenure in Pakistan comes to an end this month.

The sprawling lawns of the ambassador’s residence were overflowing with guests who had come to bid adieu to the charming couple and also to Ms Asako Okai, head of Economic and Development section at the embassy.

The occasion appeared like a reunion of Pakistan’s former foreign ministers — Sahibzada Yaqub Khan, Niaz A. Naik, Agha Shahi — and Sharifuddin Pirzada was prominent among the guests. Better known for his constitutional engineering skills and service to the military rulers, Mr Pirzada acted rather unlike his political patrons and made an early exit. Former foreign secretary Najmuddin Sheikh was also there exchanging pleasantries with old friends.

Interior minister Moinuddin Haider, Petroleum minister Usman Aminuddin and Labour minister Owais Ghani, who has become a regular at such receptions, represented the government. They chatted away over drinks and snacks, enjoying the last few days of their ministerial status. When Moinuddin Haider was asked by this correspondent if military officials, retired and serving, would vacate the civilian posts once an elected government was in place, he did not mince words. It can’t happen right away, he said, insisting that the uniformed officials will have to complete their tenure. “It will be a gradual transition, the only immediate transfer of power will be in the case of ministers,” was how he put it.

The cool and crisp autumn air buzzed with political discourse laced with speculation and hearsay. Journalists, who were all eyes and ears, were disappointed to see politicians missing from the scene.

Christina Rocca’s unplanned last-minute visit to Islamabad and the Supreme Court’s clarification of its observation a day earlier that the Legal Framework Order needed the Parliament’s seal of approval were among the most talked of topics. “Rocca had no breaking news for us,” remarked a gentleman from the foreign office. The pattern of concerns and views at both ends remained the same. The overriding message from the Americans was that they will keep working and not give up, reference being to Pakistan-India standoff.

Members of the diplomatic community, NGOs, bureaucrats and army officers attended the reception in a large number. Many guests had to pay the price of the outgoing envoy’s popularity as they had to take a long walk, from where they found parking space, to the ambassador’s residence. If numbers bear any evidentiary value, then one must judge Ambassador Sadaaki Numata and his wife to be among the most well-liked couple in the capital’s diplomatic community.

Much to the surprise of Pakistani guests quite a few Japanese ladies were clad in Shalwar Kameez. They looked quite happy and comfortable in their new attire. This gesture of solidarity was greatly appreciated.

Guests feasted on the elaborate food spread that ranged from Japanese cuisine to Pakistani specialities. The interesting gathering, gracious hosts, sumptuous offerings, and the pleasant weather made the evening an enjoyable affair.

The new Japanese Defence Attache, Col Makoto Shimasue, and his wife were introduced by the outgoing ambassador to the guests.

The Oxford-educated ambassador, Numata, who is an epitome of Japanese modesty and grace, spent the entire evening receiving warm greetings and the best from his well-wishers for his new assignment in Japan. The number of people who turned up to bid him farewell conveyed he had won many hearts during his stay in Pakistan. Not surprising then that when the ambassador was asked what he would miss most about Pakistan, he said the friends he made here. Other than that it will be the spicy food and the sound of Tabla that he will miss! In a brief chat with this correspondent, he said it had overall been a gratifying experience for him. That he tried hard to make the Japanese understand Pakistan better and empathizing with a frontline state. Asked if he had any regrets he smiled and referred to a Sinatara’s song that goes: Regrets I have but very few to mention.

Ambassador Sadaaki Numata will be missed dearly by all his friends in Pakistan. He will be remembered with fondness for his affable disposition, wisdom, good humour and wit.