Russia Day observed

Ambassador Alexey Dedov and his colleagues welcomed hundreds of guests to a reception at the Marriott Hotel to mark Russia Day, a few days ahead of the actual day which falls on June 12.

The reception was attended by diplomats, Pakistani officials, members of the business community and civil society. Minister of Water, Power and Defence Khawaja Mohammad Asif was invited as chief guest, while National Security Adviser retired Lt Gen Nasser Khan Janjua, Punjab Governor Malik Rafique and Minister of Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal also attended the event.

“Russia Day marks the passage of the declaration of the state sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic on 12 Jun, 1990, which was the beginning of the constitutional reform leading to the creation of the Russian Federation. It has been celebrated as the national holiday since 1992,” explained a Russian national.

“That was the time of Boris Yeltsin, the first president of the Russian Federation, from 1991-1999.”

He added: “Although some Russians have an ambivalent attitude to the day, more and more people recognise the day as the country’s new national day, and take part in various festive celebrations including flag hoisting, parades, fireworks, concerts and other cultural events.”

Another guest said she enjoyed the festive event very much. “The ambassador’s jovial personality, like that of so many Russians, set the tone for the event,” she said.

New envoy celebrates Japan Self-Defence Day

The new Japanese envoy to Pakistan, Ambassador Takashi Kurai, hosted a reception at the embassy residence this week alongside Defence Attaché Col Koji Hirata, to mark the 62nd anniversary of the country’s Self Defence Forces (SDF).

In 2007, the Japanese defence agency was upgraded to a Ministry of Defence. In recent years, Japan has taken part in international peacekeeping missions under the auspices of the United Nations.

“Deprived of military capability after the Second World War in 1945, Japan had only occupational forces from USA, and its own minor policy force, to rely on for its security,” explained an expert at the event.

He said the SDF was established to cater to local needs, while internationally, and to some extent in Japan, the focus was more on the Cold War.

“Today, Japan’s focus is on its immediate neighbours, China and the two Korean states,” he said.

Lt Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, the inspector general of training and evaluation at General Headquarters, was invited as chief guest.

The event was attended by parliamentarians, senior military and civilian officials, diplomats and other dignitaries from Pakistan and abroad.

Czech embassy marks Armed Forces Day

The Czech Republic’s new ambassador to Pakistan, Jan Füry, alongside Defence Attaché Col Miroslav Kaspar, hosted an elegant reception to mark Czech Republic Armed Forces Day, a little ahead of time as Ramazan is coming up.

In his speech Mr Kaspar, who is also accredited to Afghanistan, highlighted cooperation with Pakistan and the region.

FJ17 Chief Project Director Air Marshal Mohammad Iqbal was invited as the chief guest.

“I enjoyed the company of our guests. I was very pleased that colleagues from other embassies, and some other guests, stayed on well over the usual time for such occasions,” said Mr Kaspar.

A guest said the guests seemed to have enjoyed themselves, and the informal discussions between them were lively.

Another guest said: “I have many good friends in the diplomatic community... I am beginning to feel sad that my husband’s assignment is over next year. I will miss international and local friends when we move on.”