Philippine embassy complex inaugurated

The Philippine ambassador, Daniel R Espiritu, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an iftar dinner to inaugurate the new Philippine embassy complex in the Diplomatic Enclave. Jesus Yabes, the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, was also visiting from Manila. Mr Yabes has previously served as ambassador to Pakistan and was involved in the building project at its inception.

He travelled to Islamabad along with Nida Lucenario, the widow of Ambassador Domingo Lucenario, who was one of the victims of a helicopter accident in Gilgit last year.

The additional secretary for Asia Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zulfiqar Gardezi, was invited as chief guest.

The contractor, Gold Roof, was also represented by CEO Raja Nazeemul Amin. The firm presented a film detailing some of its projects, including other embassies, and the CEO and Mr Yabes handed out diplomas to Gold Roof employees.

Ambassador Espiritu said the Philippines embassy in Pakistan is the country’s largest embassy building in the world. He said the building is very modern, with all the latest facilities and equipment and beautiful architecture.

In his speech, Undersecretary Yabes highlighted the history and importance of cordial cooperation between the Philippines and Pakistan in some detail, and joked that he had to fill the time until it was time to break the fast.

Several hundred students from the Philippines who are studying in Pakistani universities also attended the event.

Festive iftar hosted by Indian envoy

Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale hosted a festive iftar dinner at the Serena Hotel this week, which was attended by politicians, civil servants, diplomats and members of the civil society and business communities.

Guests included Faisal Karim Kundi, the deputy speaker of the National Assembly, MNA Syed Naveed Qamar – former minister of defence, and Brazilian ambassador Claudio Lins.

“I found the mix of guests very pleasant. I spotted many known actors, musicians, writers and others from cultural fields,” said retired ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi.

A Pakistani artist visiting from London said: “People to people contact is essential between countries. We have so much to learn from others, and others can learn from us.”

“The iftar dinner had an interfaith atmosphere due to the diversity of guests,” saind another guest. She said her family had migrated to Pakistan after partition and she had never visited the town where her parents and grandparents were from.

“I am Pakistani of course, but I still feel a special closeness and curiosity when I meet people from the other side of the border,” she said.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2016