Independence Day of Ukraine marked

Ukrainian Ambassador Volodymyr Lakomov and embassy staff welcomed guests to a large reception last week to mark Ukraine’s 27th Independence Day.

Minister of Defence Production Zubaida Jalal, Minister of Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi were invited as chief guests.

After Ms Jalal’s extensive speech on the cordial relations between Ukraine and Pakistan, Mr Afridi spoke about Pakistan’s role as a leader in the fight against terrorism worldwide.

Ambassador Lakomov spent much of his speech on Ukraine’s situation for the last five years, after the Russian invasion and the ongoing conflict with thousands of casualties. He said Russian troops were still in the Donbas region, which he visited a few weeks ago.

“Ukraine remains committed to peaceful resolution of the conflict under the Minsk agreements,” said Mr Lakomov, drawing attention to focus of the international agenda on the illegal occupation of Crimea.

Discussing cooperation with Pakistan, Ambassador Lakomov said: “Our bilateral dialogue has always been brotherly and sincere, based upon good friendship and respect and mutually beneficial cooperation.

“We highly appreciate and outstanding cooperation between Pakistan and Ukraine in the military, technical and industrial fields that will proceed in future.”

Nepal National Day celebrated

Nepalese Ambassador Sewa Lamsal and embassy staff marked Nepal’s National Day on Sept 25, and the day was also a celebration of the country’s new constitution of 2015.

Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad was invited as the chief guest, and was joined by other senior parliamentarians and civil servants including the officiating foreign secretary.

The event was attended by foreign envoys, guests from the military, private sector, civil society, and members of the the Nepalese community in Pakistan.

Often when large receptions are held, it is difficult to have silence in the hall for the speeches; but guests listened attentively while Ambassador Lamsal spoke.

She said the vision of her country’s prime minister was ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepal’, and drew attention to the progress made after 2015, with a new federal system, which is more inclusive and people-centred.

She also spoke about cordial relations with Pakistan, “nurtured by the natural links of the mighty Himalayas and deep cultural affinities with the Gandhara civilisations”.

In his speech, Sheikh Rashid underlined the excellent relations between Pakistan and Nepal, underlining the potential in trade, tourism, culture and people-to-people contact.

Pakistan-Japan forum inaugurated

Japanese Ambassador Takashi Kurai hosted a reception at his residence to inaugurate the Pakistan-Japan Friendship Forum (PJFF), which aims to further the amicable relations between the two countries.

The founder and chairman of the PJFF is Mr Khalid Malik.

Ambassador Kurai said: “People-to-people contacts are the very foundation of the relationship between our two countries and the Pakistan-Japan Friendship Forum has been created to further promote these relationships. The new forum will also deepen the bilateral relations between the two countries.”

Former Punjab minister Ghulam Abbas donated Wadaiko drums made in Sialkot to the Islamabad Japanese School, and guests were entertained by a skilful performance by Japanese drummers, led by Head of Public Affairs Katsunori Ashida.

Mr Malik said: “There is great potential for Pakistan and Japan to further promote their relationships in all fields including culture, business, education and sports.”

Dr Yasir Ayaz, head of the Robotics Department at the National University of Sciences and Technology, said: “The establishment of the PJFF is a dream come true. Pakistan and Japan are natural friends that enjoy shared values and culture, and this forum will further strengthen these relations between the two peoples. I lived and studied in Japan through the Japanese government scholarship programme and I feel that the people of the two countries have great respect for each other.”

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2018