PRESS RELEASE

PAKISTAN DAY CELEBRATIONS

The Embassy of Pakistan, Oslo celebrated Pakistan Day with great zeal and fervor. The flag hoisting ceremony was held on the morning of 23rd March 2023 at the Chancery premises. Ambassador Saadia Altaf Qazi raised the National Flag to the tune of National Anthem. Messages of the President and the Prime Minister were read out by Counsellor Mr. Asif Hameed. The event was attended by members of Pakistani community representing various walks of life attended the ceremony.

Earlier, the Embassy organized a reception on 20 March 2023 to commemorate the National Day of Pakistan. Over 100 guests including senior officials from Norwegian MFA, politicians including former Prime Minister, members of diplomatic crops, businesses, academia, journalists, think tanks, and prominent Pakistani diaspora attended the reception. A live Pakistani instrumental music playing national songs was performed by Ustad Ilyas Khan. A documentary projecting Pakistan’s economic and cultural potential was shown to the guests. At the end, Pakistani authentic food dishes were served to guests, which they highly liked.

In her remarks. Ambassador Saadia Altaf Qazi highlighted the historical significance of National Day of Pakistan. She also highlighted the foreign policy priorities of Pakistan and noted that despite manifold challenges faced by Pakistan and its economy, the country was thriving and moving forward towards peace and prosperity. On Pakistan-Norway relations, the Ambassador mentioned that both countries enjoyed close friendly relations in the bilateral and multilateral spheres underpinned by shared perceptions on several international issues. She expressed hope that the bilateral relations in fields of trade, investment, and tourism would continue to grow in years ahead. She highlighted that the two countries were commemorating their 75th anniversary of friendship in 2023, for which both sides were finalizing several events to celebrate the occasion in a befitting manner. She also stated that in its celebrations, Pakistan does not forget the sacrifices of our brethren, sisters and children incarcerated in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Saluting their resilience, the Ambassador highlighted the ongoing gross human rights violations of the Kashmiri people by Indian occupation forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and emphasized the need for a just resolution in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the will of the people of Kashmir. She reiterated Pakistan’s moral, diplomatic and political support to the people of IIOJK until they get their right to self-determination.

At the end special prayers were offered for earthquake victims in Pakistan as well as in Turkiye and Syria