Following the noble work in the devastated areas hit by October 8, last year, Pakistan and Cuba agreed to establish their diplomatic relations and the Cuban Embassy has started its operation in Islamabad. Although, the staff at the embassy is limited but the embassy will start issuing visas during August when more staff will reach Pakistan.
It was for the first time, since independence, that Pakistan has established diplomatic relations with Cuba and it was helpful due to the arrival of doctors and para-medical staff and their sincere, dedicated and untiring services in the quake hit areas.
Pakistan has lauded the spirit and selfless services of the Cuban doctors and para-medical staff as well as the Government of Cuba for their substantial relief assistance in the relief and rehabilitation work in the earthquake affected areas.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Cuba, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla visited Pakistan during the relief operation last year to supervise the Cuban Medical Relief Mission in earthquake affected areas.
Cuba established 32 field hospitals and two relief camps in the NWFP and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, staffed by more than 2,400 Cuban doctors, para-medics and physiotherapists following October 8 earthquake.
The co-ordinator of the Cuban relief team in Pakistan, ambassador Ivan Mora Godoy and Cuba's first ambassador to Pakistan, Gustavo Machin Gomez also remained in the quake affected areas to supervise the relief operation.
The Republic of Cuba has also decided to sponsor 1,000 Pakistani students for medical studies in its medical colleges from September, this year.