Spanish National Day celebrated

Ambassador of Spain Manuel Duran Gimenez Rico hosted a National Day reception at his residence with guests from all sectors including the guest of honour, Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal, and federal ministers Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Ali Zaidi and Ijaz Shah.

The national anthems of Spain, Pakistan and the European Union were played before Ambassador Rico addressed the guests in Spanish and English.

He spoke briefly about the expanding relations between Spain and Pakistan specifically in trade and tourism.

He said that Spain is the eighth largest trading partner of Pakistan and announced: “A famous Spanish company will open a big store in Lahore on October 30, which will not only improve bilateral relations but would also create a number of job opportunities.”

Ms Jalal thanked the ambassador and congratulated the government and people of Spain on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan.

She said that the trade volume between Spain and Pakistan has crossed the $1 billion level which is a testament to the strengthening of ties between the two countries.

The venue was decorated with a truck art panel made especially for the occasion and dinner comprised of Spanish specialties to the delight of the guests.

Egyptian Armed Forces Day observed

Ahmed Fadel Yacoub, ambassador of Egypt, and Col Adham Elhosary, the Egyptian defence attaché, hosted a reception to commemorate the 46th anniversary of the Great October War victory.

Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan was the chief guest at the occasion, which was attended by defence attaches and other members of the diplomatic corps.

Mr Khan said that bilateral relations between Egypt and Pakistan were excellent and he hoped to see these relations further strengthened in the future.

Mr Elhosary thanked the air chief and other guests for their presence and presented the air chief with a souvenir.

An exhibition of Egyptian art was arranged alongside the reception and photographs of archaeological wonders of Egypt were projected. The cake cutting ceremony was followed by Egyptian cuisine.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2019