Brazilian ambassador attends Rotary event

Brazilian ambassador Claudio Raja Gabaglia Lins was the chief guest and speaker at the Metropolitan Rotary Club at Marriott Hotel this week. He was welcomed by the club’s president Barrister Adil Jamal, and introduced to the audience by Rotarian Zaheer Naqvi.

Ahsanul Haq Khan, chairman of the Pakistan-Brazil Friendship Association and Jao Paulo Sabido Costa, charge d’affaires of the Portuguese embassy, were among the invited guests.

As usual at Rotary meetings, the evening began with the playing of Pakistan’s national anthem. The buffet high tea was served before the formal meeting, with an extra cup of tea or two during the meeting.

In his speech, Ambassador Lins said that there are several similarities between Brazil and Pakistan, mentioning that both countries have about two hundred million inhabitants, and that the people in both lands have friendly people who place hospitality high. “There is potential for broadening of trade, cultural and educational cooperation,” he said A retired Pakistani ambassador suggested that trade could be increased with the establishment of warehouses of Brazilian goods in Pakistan. He also said that both countries should increase their participation in business fairs and other events.

Ambassador Lins mentioned that there are university teachers in Peshawar and elsewhere in Pakistan, who have their degrees from Brazil. The Embassy of Brazil in Islamabad offers free courses in Portuguese language, and also courses in capoeira, a unique Brazilian martial art dance, which has developed with a mixture of influences from Africa and other countries.

At the end of the meeting, Safia Agha, a senior guest at many diplomatic events in Islamabad, was introduced as a new member of the Metropolitan Rotary Club, which has a fairly good number of women members.

Farewell lunch for Mauritius’ envoy

The dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Kazakhstan’s ambassador Bakhitbek Shabarbayev, hosted a farewell lunch for the outgoing Mauritian High Commissioner Yusuf Elahee and his wife. The event was held in Serena Hotel’s elegant top floor terrace hall, with a beautiful view towards the Margalla Hills.

The event was also a welcome to four new envoys who have arrived recently; the high commissioner from Canada, and the ambassadors from Kuwait, Morocco and Romania.

High Commissioner Elahee spent a relatively short time in Pakistan, and he will now return to his country’s capital Port Louis and await decision on his further posting abroad or be given the opportunity to serve in the ministry of foreign affairs at home for some time. He is also a know politician in Mauritius.

“Although we wish you had stayed longer, we also envy you for having the opportunity to go home to the holiday island of Mauritius,” said a European ambassador.

“When it gets chilly in the Northern Hemisphere, we all wish we could visit the Indian Ocean island country. And I have been to Mauritius, and I do recommend it,” he added.

The high commissioner on his side said he had enjoyed his stay in Islamabad very much, and also the slightly cooler winter weather. He stressed the importance of good diplomatic relations with Pakistan.