Independence Day of Indonesia observed

The Indonesian Independence Day was marked with a ‘Fun Walk’ in Islamabad last week. The event was also held to advertise the upcoming 18th Asian Games taking place in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia next month.

Ambassador Iwan S. Amri was leading the walk, which was attended by embassy colleagues, their families, diplomats and other guests.

Pakistan Olympic Association Secretary General Mohammad Khalid Mahmood, senior officials and athletes had been extended special invitation for the 3km ‘Fun Walk’ in Islamabad’s Diplomatic Enclave.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Amri drew attention to Indonesia’s 73rd Independence Day and the Asian Games. He said the theme this year is ‘Energy Asia’ and that the games, which bring together 45 nations, are not only about sports, but also about friendship, tolerance and respect in all fields.

“I hope the Pakistani athletes will not only win medals but also hearts of sports fans,” he said.

Mr Mahmood said Pakistan is planning to send 397 athletes to the games, the highest number ever to be sent to any international sports event.

Swiss National Day celebrated

Swiss Ambassador Thomas Kolly hosted the Switzerland National Day reception to commemorate the historic union of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden in 1291 that lay the foundations of modern Switzerland which consists of 26 cantons today.

Ambassador Kolly said: “Seven hundred and twenty-seven years is a long time. We started modestly, in a difficult period of history when we had to defend ourselves during a war. Times change dramatically and now we are surrounded by friends. We are not members of the European Union but we have close cooperation with the EU.”

He added: “We have a system of federalism that is decentralised governing system and direct democracy. We do not have any natural resources other than water, and we focus on people and education which are important to develop a country. Pakistan is of course much larger than our country but we have some common points – mainly diversity. You have mountains and we are envious of that because your mountains are much higher than our’s. Pakistan has it all – fertile areas, coastal regions, plains – it is a beautiful country. Pakistan and Switzerland have a longstanding relationship and Switzerland is fifth on the list of countries with foreign direct investment in Pakistan and there are about15,000 Pakistanis working for those Swiss companies here.”

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua said: “Congratulations on your 727th National Day. There is a great deal of similarity between our countries – we share the Swiss passion for mountains and we appreciate the Swiss climbers who come to Pakistan.”

Bastille Day celebrated

Ambassador Marc Barèty and Federal Minister Ali Zafar are both eminent speakers, which they both proved on the occasion of the French national day celebrated on July 14 in Islamabad.

The French national day has several names: La Fête nationale is commonly used at home in France. The Bastille Day depicts history, notably the beginning of French Revolution in 1789 when the main prison, the Bastille, a symbol of the king’s and nobility’s oppression, was stormed.

It is also common just to term the national day the 14th of July.

In his speech, Ambassador Barety said that France was the first non-Muslim country to recognise Pakistan as a sovereign state upon its creation in 1947.

He drew attention to the growing trade between the two countries, mentioning that the Renault car company had just opened business in Pakistan. Both Barety and Zafar drew attention to similarities between the two countries’ constitutions.

Emphasising the close ties between Pakistan and France, Mr Zafar admitted that his knowledge of the French language was non-existent; he said he regretted not having given attention to that earlier in life.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2018