Sushi-making event at Japanese embassy

The Embassy of Japan held a sushi-making demonstration at the residence of Japanese Ambassador Takashi Kurai. The event was organised for members of the Asian Study Group (ASG), and the demonstration was carried out by Katsunori Ashida, the embassy’s head of public affairs.

“Just as Japanese food is gaining popularity in Pakistan, Pakistani food is becoming popular in Japan. There are a fair number of Pakistani restaurants in Tokyo providing delicious Pakistani dishes. Events like this demonstration today pave a way for bringing the people of two countries closer by increasing the understanding of culture and food,” Ambassador Kurai said at the event.

Mr Ashida’s demonstration taught the group how to make ngiri and maki. Using various types of fish, vegetables and smoked meats, he allowed the Pakistani guests to make their own sushi.

The sushi rice had been prepared beforehand, and Mr Ashida explained that sushi rice was sticky and short-grained, very different from basmati rice. He said: “You can get sticky rice in Islamabad. I have seen European varieties and Chinese sticky rice – no Japanese varieties.”

All the guests tried their hand at making sushi and were immensely proud of their achievement.

Fawzia Memon, coordinator for the ASG cuisine club, said, “My, co-coordinator, Nabeela and I organize events to showcase the varied cuisines of Pakistan and the world. We try to keep in mind that the ingredients should be available in Pakistan so the guests can go home and try out what they see. I’m sure many of the people here will also experiment with making sushi at home.”

The event ended with Japanese refreshments, including tempura and yakitori, and the sushi the guests had made.

S. Korean embassy hosts ceremony for UNMOGIP

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Kwak Sung-Kyu hosted this year’s medal parade ceremony for the United Nations Military Observer Group to India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) April 12.

The large event was attended by about 150 guests, including Pakistani generals, senior UN officials, military attachés and other diplomats. It was a pleasant and elegant event held on the spacious lawns’ of the South Korean embassy.

UN Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca was the chief guest at the event. He said: “Almost 70 years of supervising the ceasefire between India and Pakistan in the State of Jammu and Kashmir makes UNIMOGIP the second oldest peacekeeping mission in the world.”

He noted that 2017 would go down in history as one of the most intense years with regard to ceasefire violations. “Unfortunately, the beginning of 2018 hasn’t been better. A worrisome situation indeed, it continues to be the mission’s top priority to investigate all of these incidents,” he said

In his statement, the head of the UN mission Maj Gen Per Gustaf Lodin thanked the South Koreans for their support to the UN in general, including its observer missions (UNMOs) worldwide and specifically to the UNIMOGIP. The midday event ended with a generous lunch that featured Korean and Pakistani dishes, and both lighter and more serious conversation.

New Belgian honorary consul sworn in

Belgian Ambassador Frédéric Verheyden hosted a reception at Hashoo House for the swearing-in ceremony of Murtaza Hashwani as the honorary consul for the Kingdom of Belgium in Karachi.

Many dignitaries and members of the diplomatic community attended the event, including Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Aslam Siddiqi, Ehsanul Haq, Fawaz Valiani, Gohar Ayub Khan and others.

Mr Hashwani said: “After watching my father serve as honorary consul for so many years, I share his enthusiasm for the potential shared between our two countries. Belgium is one of the most dynamic and open economies worldwide and remains one of Pakistan’s top trade partners.

“Belgium has worked hard to capitalise on its outstanding research and education facilities and highly skilled workforce over the past decade. Pakistan’s sizeable young and vibrant workforce and equally energetic entrepreneurial class present endless opportunities for trade and investment on both sides. I will work to bolster the continued presence of Belgium in the economic and commercial heart of Pakistan and to protect its interests - both diplomatic and commercial in Karachi”.

Sadruddin Hashwani, Mr Hashwani’s father, served as honorary consul for almost three decades and was appointed to the rank of knight-commander in the Order of Leopold II, the house order of the Belgian monarchy to reward outstanding personalities having rendered exceptional services to the Kingdom by the decision of His Majesty King Philippe in April 2014.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2018