ISLAMABAD: The Swedish embassy Wednesday night celebrated the country’s National Day, hosting a vibrant event centered around the theme ‘Made With Sweden’.

The event brought together senior government officials, diplomats, business leaders, civil society, cultural figures, alumni and friends of Sweden. The occasion highlighted the deep rooted bilateral relations, pioneering spirit and enduring corporate partnerships between Sweden and Pakistan, with an emphasis on driving global sustainability and a green and digital transition.

Reflecting the strong bilateral spirit, Bilal Azhar Kayani, who is minister of state for finance and railways, attended the celebrations as chief guest. This year’s theme, ‘Made With Sweden’, was an initiative launched by the Swedish government to redefine conventional trade and business relations.

In a world where protectionism had increasingly become the new normal, Sweden wanted to send a clear message that it remained internationally oriented, open and deeply rooted in global partnerships.

Commenting on the enduring partnership with Pakistan, Swedish Ambassador to Pakistan Alexandra Berg von Linde said ‘Made With Sweden’ was a celebration of partnership, co-creation and shared values.

“Our relationship with Pakistan is built on a strong foundation of mutual trust and innovation, where Swedish innovation and know how combines with Pakistani expertise, to create lasting impact. By embedding sustainability into our trade and business, we are not just building economic ties - we are co-authoring a greener, digital and more resilient future together.”

She said this philosophy also shaped the Swedish-Pakistani partnership. Instead of just exporting final products, Swedish companies manufactured and innovated directly within Pakistan, collaborating with local partners for world-class results.

“It is a mutually beneficial relationship that empowers local industry, spurs economic growth, and improves daily life,” the Swedish envoy said.

A central highlight of the celebrations was a dedicated exhibition featuring prominent business stalls from several Swedish companies with strong Pakistani ties. These enterprises showcased how Swedish innovation was actively driving industrial progress locally. Among the exhibiting companies were Hitachi Energy and Wah Nobel Group displayed cutting-edge technology in energy infrastructure and industrial solutions, Ericsson Pakistan, Talkpool and Panasian Group showcased breakthroughs in telecommunications, IoT connectivity, and smart digital integration and heavy machinery.

Tetra Pak and Gul Ahmed exhibited pioneering developments in sustainable packaging and eco-friendly textile production.

The embassy said it looked forward to continued collaboration in areas such as trade, climate action, innovation, education, and gender equality, reinforcing Sweden’s commitment to a strong and forward-looking relationship with Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2026