ISLAMABAD: First Lady Begum Mehmooda Mamnoon Hussain on Sunday said that vibrant nations try to actively engage with contemporary cultures to keep themselves abreast with new trends and learn good things from others to develop their own societies.
Addressing the annual charity bazaar of Pakistan Foreign Office Women’s Association (PFOWA) at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Begum Mehmooda said that such events promoted informal diplomacy and enhanced the feelings of harmony and brotherhood among different nations.
She commended the role being played by PFOWA for effectively discharging its responsibilities in highlighting Pakistani culture on the global level, besides carrying out welfare activities to assist the under-privileged families of employees working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
She expressed satisfaction that PFOWA charity bazaar had provided a good opportunity to diplomats of different countries to learn about each other’s culture.
“There is no doubt that mixing of various cultures and people further strengthens the mutual relations between nations,” she stressed.
She also said it was heartening to see that PFOWA’s scope was expanding as the number of women in the Foreign Office at present had grown significantly.
She further said that for the first time in the country’s history, the Foreign Office was being headed by a woman foreign secretary, adding that it was ample proof that Pakistani women were actively participating in every field of life along with their male counterparts.
Begum Mehmooda announced Rs 0.5 million for PFOWA on behalf of Aiwan-e-Sadr after visiting different stalls set up at the bazaar.
Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua said that the bazaar event was held to mark the 70th anniversary of foundation of PFOWA, established in 1947 by Shaista Ikramullah.
She said the bazaar brought together a variety of culinary delights from different countries and traditional artifacts, besides holding welfare activities for a noble cause.
PFOWA President Dr Ayesha Haq said that PFOWA’s outreach had been extended to low income families who received timely assistance and help from the association.
The PFOWA charity bazaar showcased stalls set up by the diplomatic community from different countries, including China, Russia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Egypt, Bangladesh, Iran, Japan, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
In the segment, titled ‘Parade of Nations’, the children of diplomatic staffers, while adorning cultural dresses of their respective countries, presented beautiful tableaus and waved their national flags.
