Hungary celebrates National Day

Ambassador Istvàn Szabò and his wife Emilia Szabone, head of the consular and cultural affairs, welcomed guests to a garden reception at the embassy to mark the country’s independence from Austria in 1848. Since then, the 15th of March has become a symbol of freedom and liberty, more so during the 40-year of communist rule when the government used it for pro-communist manifestations and many people took part in anti-communist manifestations.

“I can remember that we were subject to harassment by the authorities if we did not participate on their side. Today, it is celebrated by all, and embassies abroad organize events for Hungarian communities and friends”, said Ambassador Szabo in his speech.

A photo exhibition was held on the occasion with photos by the Zulfikar Ali and his Hungarian colleague Gergely Szatmàri. A coffee table book was also launched.

Hungarian canapés were served to the delight of the guests. “I didn’t come all the way from Karachi just for the food and the photos”, said Zia Zakaria, Hungary’s Honorary Consul in the commercial capital of Pakistan, but added that his son is a renowned photo artist.

Students’ orientation at Japanese embassy

The Embassy of Japan organised a pre-departure orientation for the Pakistani students who have been granted Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT) Research & Undergraduate Scholarships for Masters/Doctorate for 2018.

Takashi Harada, Charge d’Affaires ad interim of Japan congratulated the 11 students and wished them well for their endeavours.

Majid Amin, from the Kurram Agency will study Human and Environmental Studies in Japan’s Kyoto University. He said that his research topic was genetic disorder and genetic diseases.

He said: “My ambition is to benefit both the people of Japan and my own people from my research.”

Salaar Moeeni who will be doing MS in Mechanical Engineering from Japan’s Chiba University said that his research topic is auto engines. He said his research is about pollution, smog and other environmental issues which are a problem for Pakistan now.

Rana Muhammad Shahab, who received the undergraduate scholarship and will study electrical engineering in Osaka university said his aim is to do his BS, MS and Phd from Japan and play his role in further strengthening Pak-Japan relations in the future.

President MEXT Alumni Association of Pakistan Dr Nasir M. Khan advised the fresh scholarship grantees to learn as much they can while in Japan and enjoy Japanese culture, enjoy the social life and be goodwill ambassadors of Pakistan.

100th Independence Day of Lithuania celebrated

Honorary Consul General Masud M. Khan and his wife welcomed guests to their Islamabad residence to celebrate Lithuania’s 100th Independence Day last week.

The centenary marks the country’s restoration as an independent state in 1918 at the end of WWI. But then it later experienced half a century as part of the Soviet Union and also German occupation during WWII.

Lithuania, along with the two other Baltic states of Latvia and Estonia, is a member of the EU and NATO.

The three Northern European states, bordering Russia, Belarus and Poland and Finland, Sweden and Denmark across the ocean, have a total population of just about seven million.

The chief guest at the reception was Ch. Mumtaz Ahmed Tarar, federal minister for human rights, with Rana Muhammad Afzal, minister of state for finance.

Masud M. Khan said that Lithuania is enhancing its economic and trade relations with Pakistan, and it also wishes to expand its people-to-people contact between the two countries. Hungary has over the years assisted the Lithuanian Consulate in visa issues.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2018