Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adamson Monday launched a photo exhibition to mark the 70th anniversary of the opening of Australia’s diplomatic mission in Pakistan.
She said that Australia was quick to establish a high commission in Karachi in 1948 after recognising the new country of Pakistan the previous year. Adamson said, “The photos in this exhibition tell the story of how the relationship has developed since then”, said a press statement issued here. The images are drawn from a wide range of Australia-Pakistan engagement spanning development cooperation and humanitarian assistance, defence, education, sport, trade and cultural ties, as well as people-to-people linkages.
“I am pleased, the exhibition will be accompanied by performances from Australian Pakistani singer Umer Iftikhar,” High Commissioner Adamson said, adding as an Australian graduate, Umer was a great example of how education could build bridges between nations and across cultures.
She said that Australia was a popular education destination for Pakistani students, as more than 12,000 were studying there. She said, “Our thousands of alumni in Pakistan contributing to their nation’s development, and their active connections to Australia, are an asset to both countries.”
“As a friend and a partner of 70 years standing, Australia will continue to support Pakistan in the future through our development partnership, our security cooperation combating terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organised crime, and through growing trade and investment,” Adamson said.
She said that last September, the Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay visited Lahore – the first stop in South Asia on its 388 kilometre journey from London to Australia’s Gold Coast.
“Being two sports-loving nations, I know Australian and Pakistani athletes and sports fans alike will enjoy the competition and spectacle of the Commonwealth Games in April,” she added.
