Ambassador Takashi Kurai and his wife Rieko Kurai held a large farewell dinner at their residence last week, attended by fellow envoys, Pakistani officials and close members of the private sector and civil society.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and former security adviser retired Gen Nasser Janjua were among the guests.

Ambassador Kurai said in his speech that he had enjoyed his posting to Pakistan, something he wasn’t sure of when he arrived three years ago. The ambassador, who had earlier that day bid farewell to President Arif Alvi, underlined the cordial relationship between Japan and Pakistan. He hoped for the expansion of trade, people exchange and other bilateral cooperation.

At the relaxed, formal dinner, many colleagues and friends expressed gratitude to the ambassador and his wife for having gotten to know them while in Pakistan, and wished them success in future postings, the next one being Ukraine.

Ambassador Kurai said that if his government would lend an ear to him in the future, he would be happy to do even a second term in Pakistan. “Both my wife and I carry back good memories of our stay here and wish Pakistan and its people peace and prosperity,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2019