Islamabad - Russian Ambassador Alexey Y Dedov hosted a grand reception to mark the national day of his country here at a local hotel.
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsen Iqbal was the chief guest while former PM Ch Shujaat Hussain and Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed were also among the distinguished guests. During the reception national anthems of Pakistan and Russia were played and a cake was also cut.
Mushahid Hussain was talking to Russian ambassador about his next visit to Russia in October. Ambassador of France Martine Dorance and Ambassador of Austria Brigitta Blaha were standing together. It is very common in the diplomatic reception to see both enjoying each other’s company. Both share common luck to disembark the unfortunate helicopter before its takeoff and shifted to the prime minister’ helicopter. The ambassador of Lebanon Mona Al -Tannir was present with her spouse in the reception. Her husband was also injured in the helicopter crash in Gilgit. She disclosed that it was her first reception after the tragedy. Ahsan Iqbal made a speech on the reception and said Pakistan and the Russian Federation were set to move towards the new phase of cooperation where their economic relations were expected to bolster. With a long history of bilateral ties, Russia has now opened new doors of cooperation with Pakistan in the areas of energy, security and defence, he added. He said Pakistan being a country of 200 million people had a strategic location in South Asia, while its economy was poised to take off, adding the top credit rating agency Moody has once again upgraded Pakistan.
The minister said Pakistan was committed to regional cooperation and working for peace in the region. Ambassador of the Russian Federation on this occasion also gave away an award to the Russian Honorary Consul General in Lahore, Habib Ahmed, for his services to enhance cooperation between the two countries. Habib Ahmed in his brief remarks said he was proud to get award and thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin.
—The writer is a freelance contributor.