Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adamson Tuesday hosted 'Australia Day in Spring' at her residence for an exclusive gathering. In line with this year's theme 'Pakistan's 70th birthday and birthday of Australian recognition of Pakistan as an independent state,' the high commissioner Australia wished Pakistan a wonderful birthday on March 23.
The Australian High Commissioner said in a press briefing that one of the contributions of Australian diversity was accommodation of some 55,000 Pakistani Australians living in Australia. In addition, 16,000 Pakistani students were enrolled with different institutions and universities in Australia, she added. She said the decision about tour of Australian team to Pakistan was firmly in the hands of Cricket Australia, formerly known as Australian Cricket Board. But successful hosting of PSL final in Lahore was also noted in Australian cricket circles as was noted internationally, she added.
She said trade volume between Pakistan and Australia last year crossed to an approximately 1.6 billion Australian dollars. The volume improved from a level of 600 million Australian dollars. Volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Australia, she said, was far below its potential; however, both countries were moving in right direction.
The Australian high commissioner further said that relations between Australia and Pakistan in education sector were growing every year. Pakistani Australian singer/songwriter Mahmood Khan and students of Leif Larsen Music Centre, Gilgit-Baltistan, performed on the occasion. The Australian high commissioner along with other members of the Embassy welcomed the guests at the entrance. Large photos of Australia's work with Pakistani partners concealed passage way as guests, diplomats, government officials, and members of the civil society and media made their way to the perfectly manicured lawns. The border of the garden was luminous with fairy lights and cutouts of Australian sportswomen were spread out.