Hungary keen to expand ties with Pakistan

Hungary’s deputy minister for foreign affairs and trade Szilveszter Bus visited Pakistan to help expand cooperation between the two countries, especially in trade.

He met with Pakistani ministers and held a press conference in the Serena Hotel. Hungarian Ambassador Istvan Szabo also drew attention to the importance of cultural and educational cooperation. He said the number of scholarships for Pakistani students to pursue studies in Hungary has been increased from 85 to 200 and said there is no visa fee for students.

Mr Bus said he opened a new honorary consulate general in Lahore, adding to the country’s presence with the embassy in Islamabad and a consulate in Karachi. The visiting politician said Hungary is the fastest growing EU economy in central Europe.

He said Pakistan is a particularly important partner due to its large population and central location.

“There is potential for expanding trade between the two countries to about $50 million yearly,” he said, emphasising on cooperation in the fields of agriculture, the food industry, waste management, environment and industries.

Exhibition of paintings by Pakhtun artists

An art exhibition containing the works of Pakhtun painters was held at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) which was attended by a number of ambassadors and high commissioners as well as local and foreign art enthusiasts

There was ample time for viewing the paintings before the evening concert in the large auditorium with Khattak dances.

PNCA Director General Syed Jamal Shah welcomed the diplomats, UN staff members and other participants in Pashto. “I was impressed by the painting exhibition,” a foreign guest said at the ceremony.

“I was especially pleased to see the detailed paintings by Irshad Zamil showing the history of Buddha. I managed to obtain a copy of the artist’s brand new coffee table book titled The Legend of Buddha released for the occasion. It is a combination of a coffee table and scholarly book, which I will cherish,” another guest said.

— Text and photo by Atle Hetland & Shahbaz Chaudary

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2017