Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi on Wednesday said US Deputy Secretary for Defence Paul Wolfowitz has quashed any kind of reports indicating that he had been critical of Pakistan.
"In fact, he made it quite clear that such reports, which had appeared, were totally baseless, and, he in fact, had said quite the opposite."
Qazi, in an interview, with APP said, "Paul Wolfowitz reiterated his admiration for President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, and for Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz for leading the economic recovery and for the government and people of Pakistan, in general, who were on the frontline of the war on terror.
"So, altogether, this was a very very gratifying occasion," Pakistan's ambassador to the United States said, referring to the address by the US Deputy Secretary for Defence at the Pakistan Day function on March 23 at the spacious Marker Hall of the Embassy.
"We celebrated 64th anniversary of Pakistan Day in Washington DC, and we were honoured by the presence of the US Deputy Secretary for Defence Paul Wolfowitz.
"Normally, the Deputy Secretaries from any US department do not attend any national day occasions. But as Wolfowitz himself said this openly to the guests that this is not a precedent, and he said his coming here to the embassy was symbolic of the relationship between Pakistan and the United States which is progressing on all fronts."
"Then, we had a very large gathering and this national day of ours also was very close to the first anniversary of our shifting to this new chancery building of our embassy."
Of the Pakistan-US relations, Qazi said "the vibrant multi-year Pakistan-US relationship is growing stronger and stronger.
"The United States and Pakistan are friends of long standing, and since the awful tragedy of September 11, we have seen a silver lining in the dark clouds."
"It had the opportunity to revive our relations, and these regained strength, that we always have-we even had closeness when there had been differences of perspective on different issues."
He emphasised that "both the countries are committed to a long term, broad based and fruitful relationship-to work together as a frontline in the war against terror."
"But, our relationship extends beyond this co-operation on war against terror, into a mutually-comfortable relationship," he added.
To mark the occasion, the embassy was having a weeklong series of events, Qazi said, referring to the ongoing exhibition of art pieces and paintings by seven Pakistani artists. He announced that a "Photographic Exhibition by Abrar Pirzada will be held on March 27-28."
Already, he said, film 'Daira'-which is the film version of novel written by Mohsin Hameed called 'Moth Smoke,' has been screened. While Faqir Sayed Aijazuddin made a presentation on the history, archaeology and culture of Pakistan and how Pakistan acts as a bridge between the past and the future of the region.
He said "what is most pleasing is that young Pakistani-Americans as well as Americans in large numbers have been attending weeklong events marking Pakistan Day celebrations."
"We are very pleased that this has been possible because of the space available to us in the new chancery building," the ambassador said.
On steps taken for welfare of the community, Qazi said "Pakistani community is maturing day by day," and this year is an election year in America and the Pakistani community is beginning to be active at the lower level from the grassroots level, to the local government level, to the state level, to the national level-and whether they belong to one party or the other, "they are beginning to mainstream themselves-and participate in a manner that is making the community's presence felt within the life of America."
This community, he said has also faced a number of challenges since September 11, "and, we are actively engaged with the US government to reduce the difficulties, challenges and injustices of all types that they had to suffer."
Gradually, the Pakistan ambassador said "the situation is beginning to ease, and has eased-but, we have to continue working together on this issue.
"And, I think, the Pakistani community itself is playing most effective role and is reaching out to other communities in America, and making a coalition which will support the rights of minorities within America.
"Marks of a visible difference are evident," he said asked to elaborate the close rapport maintained by the embassy with the community, and their increasing enthusiastic participation in day-to-day events held at the Embassy premises.
"This is very good thing, because, embassy should be a meeting-point for the Pakistani community here. They should not see this embassy as something which is not part of their lives, or something which is there to give them passports or renew their passports or give them visas or some official work."
"We should be able to project Pakistan's cultural aspects, economic aspects and various other aspects and we should also be able to provide a venue for the young Pakistani-Americans to come together and exchange ideas in workshops and seminars."
Qazi said, the embassy, now has a very active programme in this respect, and we hope to be busy throughout the year.
He expressed the confidence that "once when we have" Jinnah Center-which is the old chancery building-"then of course, we will be able to increase our cultural activities manifold".
Comments
Comments are closed.