Brazilian National Day celebrated

Ambassador Caludio Lins and his embassy staff hosted a reception to observe the 196th Independence Day of Brazil and the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Pakistan.

The chief guest on the occasion was federal Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood.

In his speech, Ambassador Lins underlined the excellent ties with Pakistan, which has a similar population size as that of Brazil.

He said the distance between the countries does not hinder cooperation and that there is potential for increase in commercial trade, trade and in other fields.

There was an exhibition of the Gogi Cartoons, created by Pakistan’s first woman cartoonist Nigar Nazar. She explained some of the background for the characters that are included in her famous strips, with Gogi, being the main one.

Nigar Nazar’s work emphasizes social issues, education and gender equality.

The event included a performance of the unique Afro-Brazilian athletic dance called Capoeira. One of the Brazilian diplomats showed off some of his skills, but he admitted a tie and suit wasn’t quite the right attire for the sport.

Reception for visiting Japanese delegation

Ambassador of Japan Takashi Kurai hosted a reception for a delegation of Japan-Pakistan Parliamentarian’s Friendship League of the National Diet of Japan.

The visiting members of the Japanese House of Representatives included JPPFL Chairman Seishiro Eto, JPPFL Chief Director Koichiro Gemba and Secretary General Midori Matsushima.

They were accompanied by the special envoy for Expo 2025 Osaka-Japan, Nakamura Tomiyasu.

“Early this year we had a visit of the prime minister of Japan to Pakistan after nine years and that was followed by high level economic consultations.

“The last visit of the chairman of the JPPFL was in 2002. Sixteen years later we have a delegation which is very senior and we are very grateful for the hospitality extended by various Pakistani counterparts. This increase in interaction demonstrates our wish to increase and intensify bilateral relations,” Ambassador Kurai.

Senate Deputy Chairman Saleem Mandviwalla said: “It is a great honour for us to receive such an august delegation from Japan as it shows how serious Japan is about parliament to parliament relationship. Japan and Pakistan enjoy very close relations.”

Nakamura Tomiyasu presented the ambitions that Japan has for Expo 2025 and how there are great opportunities for Pakistan to exhibit there. Sharing the importance of Osaka as a business hub, he added, “Japan will offer a financial assistance programme which has never been seen in past expos. This will include support for the pavilions, operations, communications, board and lodging with a total budget of more than $200 million with the intent to support 80 to 100 countries so all countries can participate”.

He expressed his hope that they could count on Pakistan’s vote for the selection of Osaka as the host site for Expo 2025.

Uzbekistan celebrates Independence Day

Ambassador Furqat Sidiqov and his wife hosted a reception to celebrate Uzbekistan’s 27th Independence Day. Uzbekistan gained independence after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The Central Asian country with 34 million people has established direct air links with Pakistan and its trade and other cooperation with Pakistan is growing.

Ambassador Sidiqov said in his speech that his government gives high priority to the Pak-Uzbek relations, noting Uzbekistan is a rich country in oil and other natural resources. He said the people-to-people contacts between Uzbekistan and Pakistan are excellent and growing.

The chief guest on the occasion was federal minister for railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2018