Swedish Ambassador Ingrid Johansson hosted a reception in connection with Swedish National Day at the Serena Hotel with more than 400 guests attending including government officials, representatives of other diplomatic missions, development sector partners and businesspeople. The chief guest was Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, federal minister for Capital Administration and Development Division.

Ambassador Johansson welcomed the guests and thanked them for joining the celebration. She said, “This is event is organized by the embassy in collaboration with some of the many Swedish companies present in Pakistan and those companies have set up stalls around the hall to showcase their work for you.”

She added, “Everything that we offer you tonight exemplifies Sweden as a leading nation of smart, creative and sustainable solutions including the companies and the entertainment. At the back you will find paintings by renowned Sweden-based, Pakistani artist Ubaid Syed”.

Instead of cutting a cake, the embassy had arranged for award-winning illusionist, Charlie Caper to entertain the audience.

Winner of Sweden’s Got Talent, Caper performed a unique combination of high-tech tricks interspersed with facts about Swedish sustainability and innovation, sharing that Candy Crush Saga, Spotify and Skype all originated there.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2018