The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador Essa Abdullah Al-Basha Al-Nuaimi hosted a reception at the Jinnah Convention Centre to mark the first anniversary celebrations of the United Arab Emirates- Pakistan Assistance Programme.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar was the guest of honour at the occasion. Kausar spoke highly of the Pakistan-UAE bilateral relations, saying that he hoped that the brotherly, time-tested ties would continue to gain strength in the future as well.
The KPK governor, the UAE Ambassador and other diplomats cut a special cake. The national anthems of the two countries were also played on the occasion.
Paying tribute to the armed forces for their role in the rehabilitation of Swat and thanking the UAE government for its generous assistance, Kausar hoped that both the countries would improve trade, diplomatic, and cultural ties.
Ambassador Nuaimi assured Pakistan of UAE’s continued assistance to help out the people of the calamity-affected areas.
The ambassador said his country had a rich history of bilateral cooperation with Pakistan and his country’s leadership, especially President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zyed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Muhammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, were very keen to enhance it further.
Saudi Arabian Ambassador Abdul Aziz bin Ibrahim Saleh Al-Ghadeer, leaders of various political parties, members of the parliament, intellectuals, senior civil and military officials, diplomats, PTCL chairman Waleed Reshad, dignitaries from Swat and journalists attended the function.
Abdullah Al Daffali of the UAE programme and Maj Gen Zahir Shah, commander of the area, signed projects for the development of the areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which were targeted by extremists and needed repair and rehabilitation.
Children in traditional costumes sung a number of songs, appreciating the contribution made by the UAE government and its rulers for the betterment of their areas.