By Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan
Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari graced the 41th National Day celebrations of United Arab Emirates while attending its function hosted by UAE ambassador Essa Abdulla Al-Basha Al-Noaimi in Islamabad on Sunday December 2, 2012.
Ambassador Essa Al-Noaimi received President Asif Ali Zardari at the outer gate of the residence in the diplomatic enclave. The embassy and residential compound of the UAE ambassador was decorated and illuminated with colourful lights. The atmosphere was marvelous and full of life. A great numbers of dignitaries, high officials, diplomats and dignified personalities attended the National Day function. Melodious traditional Arabic songs were played which succeeded to display the spirits of unity, patriotisms and statehood among the guests. A dance party was also arranged to show the traditions of the UAE through different skills, styles and drills. The chorus party mesmerized the guests who took pleasure out of it. Earlier young boys sang Arabic songs. The high ranks of armed forces of Pakistan highly appreciated the traditional dances and songs of the UAE.
Ambassadors of all six Gulf Cooperation Council states (GCC) namely Saudi ambassador Dr. Abdul Aziz Ibrahim Saleh Al-Ghadeer, Bahrain ambassador Muhammad Ebrahim Muhammad Abdulqadir, Oman ambassador Muhammad Riyadh Raisi, Qatar ambassador Sayyar Abdul Rehman Al-Moawada and deputy ambassador of Kuwait attended the National Day reception and spend much time in the reception tent. All the guests were served with more than two dozens of dishes including Arabic cuisine.
About 10 federal ministers and ministers of state and President Azad Kashmir Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob, former President and Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, Muhammad Ejazul Haq, Dr Wasim Shehzad of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, Governor KP Barrister Masood Kausar, DG ISPR Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Javaid Leghari, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Palwasha Khan and former Governor Balochistan and MNA Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch were significant dignitaries among the important guests.
All the guests spoke highly of the UAE visionary leadership and amazing socio-economic turnaround made by that country that has successfully turned deserts into most modern place of the globe. Short documentaries and films were displayed to show the guests about the tremendous social and economic development achieved by the UAE during last four decades.
According to spokesperson for the president, Senator Farhatullah Babar, President Zardari said Pakistan and UAE enjoy very close and cordial relationship. He said deep rooted relations between the two countries are bounded by common faith and cultural affinities.
Expressing delight at the upward trajectory in Pak-UAE relations, the president said during the past five years bilateral ties have grown from strength to strength in all spheres of cooperation.
The president said the regular exchange of high-level bilateral visits has remained the hallmark of the close ties between the two countries. He appreciated the assistance extended by UAE during natural disasters. He said he was pleased to be at the celebrations of the National Day of the brotherly country.
The president also congratulated the people of UAE on the auspicious occasion of the 41st National Day of their country. “We greatly admire the wise and visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan,” the president was quoted as saying by Farhatullah Babar.
He said the leadership of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed has taken UAE to new heights of social and economic development. “We deeply appreciate the soft corner which Sheikh Khalifa has for Pakistan,” the president said.
The president also thanked the people and government of UAE for welcoming Pakistanis to their country and expressed confidence that this human bridge between the two countries would continue to grow and strengthen with every passing day.
Pakistan hosted reception at UAE consul general to celebrate UAE 41th national day. Since the formation of UAE, Pakistan and UAE have developed strong relations in various fields as both the countries share cultural and traditional affinities.