Riyadh Emir Prince Khalid Bin Bandar and Pakistan Ambassador Muhammad Naeem Khan cut the cake at celebrations marking Pakistan's 73rd National Day at the Diplomatic Quarter Sunday night. — Courtesy photo Syeda Amtul Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — The Pakistani missions in the Kingdom organized a series of events to celebrate the country's 73rd National Day on Sunday. Riyadh Emir Prince Khalid Bin Bandar was the chief guest at a grand reception at Tuwaiq Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh on Sunday. Prince Khalid and Pakistani Ambassador Muhammad Naeem Khan cut the celebratory cake. The event was attended by a large number of Saudi officials, businessmen and prominent citizens, heads of missions and other diplomats, and prominent members of the Pakistani community. The Pakistani Consulate General hosted a reception at Marriott Hotel in Jeddah on Sunday night to celebrate the occasion. Consul General Aftab Ahmed Khokher welcomed the guests, who included Mohammed Nabil Bukhary, chief of protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Makkah province branch, other government officials, diplomats, local businessmen and prominent members of the Pakistani community. “Pakistan Day each year is an occasion to reiterate our commitment to the ideals for which Pakistan was created. It is also an occasion to pay tributes to the Father of the Nation, Qaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, as well as to all those who struggled, suffered and sacrificed for the cause,” Khokher said in his speech. “Pakistan is currently facing some challenges, but every country has its own set of challenges to deal with. Like every state and nation, we are committed to resolve these challenges with an unwavering sense of obligation, responsibility and sincerity. I am confident that the people of Pakistan, with their resilience, will emerge successfully out of testing times and build a strong Pakistan,” he added. “Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share common political, strategic and economic objectives. We have jointly worked to achieve durable peace and security for our region and beyond. We are also determined to promote sustainable socio-economic development not only for our respective people but also for the Islamic Ummah at large,” Khokher said. Addressing the gathering, Bukhary said, “The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is witnessing improvement on all fronts, especially the political, economical and social ones.” Highlighting the strong bilateral relations, he said, “Trade between the two countries grew rapidly over the last three years, and had gone up to around SR18 billion in 2011. The development of educational and cultural ties is also very positive, which is reflected in an increase in Saudi students going to Pakistan.” He congratulated the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia on the festive occasion and wished the country progress and development. The program started with a short presentation on the culture, heritage and traditions of Pakistan. The embassy will organize a live performance by Pakistani folk singer Arif Lohar at King Fahd Culture Center in Riyadh on Thursday night.
