The ambassador of Myanmar U Win Naing welcomed guests to a large reception to mark Myanmar’s 69th National Day at the Serena Hotel this week. Riaz Hussain Pirzada, federal minister for interprovincial cooperation was invited as the chief guest, accompanied by other senior government officials.

“Myanmar lost her independence after being defeated in wars with colonisers. All the national people of Myanmar fought against them by various means. Then Myanmar regained independence on Jan 4, 1948,” Ambassador Naing said in his speech.

He added that bilateral relations with Pakistan were established in August 1947, saying: “Therefore this year is the 70th anniversary of our two countries’ friendship.”

The reception also featured a short musical and cultural programme after the ambassador’s speech. Stalls carrying information on tourism, business and economic cooperation between Myanmar and Pakistan were also set up.

A Pakistani guest said she was “honoured that Myanmar and Pakistan have always had good relations.” “I am impressed by the transition from military rule to democracy that Myanmar has been undergoing since 2015,” she added.

“I am indeed impressed by Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and now Myanmar’s state counsellor,” she said.

Published in Dawn January 22nd, 2017