Pak-KSA to play positive role for regional peace & harmony: AmbassadorAl-Zahrani in a fascinating ceremony Embassy of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia rolled out a red carpet to welcome the dignitaries arriving to attend a pompous ceremony to celebrate the National Day of the Kingdom.
The National Day was celebrated with a strategic vision to take the Kingdom to new heights of progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of King Salman. In his message on the day, King Salman underscored the significance of security and stability.United Arab Emirates also joins Saudi Arabia’s National Day celebrations Saudi Diplomatic missions across the globe celebrate its National Day every year on 23 September prominently known as (Al-Yaom-ul-Watany) to express their solidarity with 23 September 1932, when late King Abdulaziz Al- Saud announced the unification of the country as a kingdom.
The event was attended by a large number of members of the diplomatic corps, political parties and notables of the federal capital. It was a different ceremony as compared with other diplomatic functions in Pakistan’s capital. The prime features of the ceremony were all the heads of the diplomatic mission of Gulf countries dominated the functions.
Ambassadors and diplomatic representatives of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Oman wearing their traditional Arab dress were welcoming their European and African diplomatic colleagues. Before starting the official ceremony national anthems of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were played. Saudi Envoy along with chief guest Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif cut the cake of ceremony. The reception was followed by a grand dinner where guests were served with traditional Arabian and Pakistani food. Speaking on the occasion Ambassador Abdullah Marzouk Al-Zahrani said that Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would play positive role for peace and harmony in the region. Both countries have historic relations based on mutual interest and brotherhood. He said that Pak-KSA will boost bilateral trade and investment for the benefit for people of both countries. He said there are many challenges to peace and security. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are time tested friends, the Ambassador said.
At the end of the ceremony Muslim and non Muslim guests were also provided with gift bags containing various booklets and copies of the Holy Quran in English and other languages. Maktab ud Dawah Wa-Al Irshad a Saudi NGO which is working to promote Islamic education through translation of Holy Quran in different language had installed a stall having copies of Holy Quran and Hidth. Almost all the political and religious parties of Pakistan were invited, Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif was chief guest of the ceremony with Governor Punjab Malik Rafiq Rajwana, Leader of the House in Senate Raja Zafarul Haq, head of Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Affairs Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Senator Mushahid Hussain, Pakistan Muslim League chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Senator Lt. General (Retd) Abdul Qayyum, Maulana Sami ul Haq, Professor Sajid Mir, Allama Tahir Asharafi, former senator Wasim Shehzad of PTI, Mayor of Islamabad Ansar Aziz and several others.
Melange Report