While the Swiss National Day is on August 1, Pakistan's Independence Day is celebrated on August 14. This year, the official Swiss National Day Reception will be held on August 7. This choice of date gives me the opportunity to cherish the friendship of both our countries and to reflect on my experiences and activities over the past year.
Today and after having the honour of being a guest for a bit more than one year in fascinating Pakistan, I cannot but express my sincerest gratitude and admiration for the outstanding hospitality and support of Pakistanis from all walks of life. Whether participating at an Iftar dinner, a wedding, a conference, an exhibition, visiting an association, a company, a charitable organisation, or doing some shopping in one of the countless shops and malls in one of the biggest cities in the world, I and my wife have always been treated with amazing grace, smiles, courtesy, and world class hospitality.
The activities of the Swiss Consulate General over the past year are numerous and here are just a few of the many highlights:
The Swiss Business Council signed a memorandum of understanding with the Punjab Board of Industry and Trade, a number of business trips brought me to Lahore, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Umerkot, and Mirpurkhas with visits of many Swiss and Pakistani companies, presentations at universities, and contacts with local charitable organisations. For the first time, a commemorative 8 Rp. Pakistan-Switzerland Friendship postage stamp will be issued by Pakistan Post. The number of SwissConsulateKarachi Facebook followers quadrupled from 7,500 to over 30,000. The activities of the Swiss Consulate General have been generously covered in over 200 print media articles, social media, and TV.
The ribbon cutting of the 'Pakistan-Switzerland Friendship Exhibition' at Karachi International airport on May 29th 2015 was charmingly done by a wonderful child of the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Over 500,000 international and domestic travellers, politicians, government officials, business men and women, pilgrims and tourists will see this first of its kind exhibition during the 100 day and night opening period which ends on September 5, 2015. As of today, over 40 Business-to-Business questionnaires have been filled in and will provide new opportunities for trade and investment in Pakistan and Switzerland. Two truck art painted guestbook cows will be signed by hundreds of visitors, auctioned and proceeds will go to charity organisations in Pakistan. Weekly drawings of flights and other valuable prizes attract thousands of participants. The thematic and sponsor standees cannot be overlooked... the airport will look empty once this first international exhibition at a Pakistani airport closes its doors.
Of particular and personal meaning are the many visits and collaborations with a large number of charitable organisations. Among others, the Swiss Consulate General hosted Pakistan's Wheelchair Cricket team, a networking session of the Clifton Kidney and General Hospital, a blood drive for the AfzaalMemorial Thalassemia Foundation, and a memorable Iftar dinner for visually impaired people.
As I am the only diplomat at the Swiss Consulate General, it is important to express my profound admiration and appreciation to my exceptional local Muslim, Christian, and Hindu team members. We share so many exciting, challenging, and satisfying moments of our life together. We achieved many goals and there are still endless untapped opportunities to successfully 'go the extra mile' for the benefit of Pakistan and Switzerland by following the simple and world-wide valid recipe for success: "Whether in a family, an organisation, a city, a province or a country - TOGETHER we can"
Pakistan + Switzerland Friendship Zindabad
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