Bangladesh Independence Day celebration in Islamabad

A grand reception and dinner were organized in Islamabad, Pakistan, to mark Bangladesh's Independence Day and National Day. 

The meeting, held on the evening of April 24 at a five-star hotel in Islamabad, was attended as the chief guest by the Federal Minister for Defense of Pakistan, Khawaja Mohammad Asif. 

Besides, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Mohammad Junaid Anwar, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chowdhury, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives of Pakistan Ahsan Iqbal Chowdhury, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (Ministerial Rank) Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Minister of State for National Food Security and Research Malik Rashid Ahmed Khan, Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Kisho Mal Khel Das, Senators and members of the National Assembly, members of the Provincial Assembly, Ambassadors/High Commissioners of various countries, heads of the United Nations and international organizations, senior civil and military officials of the Government of Pakistan, leaders of business organizations, journalists, representatives of civil society, media personalities, and expatriate Bangladeshis were present at the event. 

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan, Md. Iqbal Hossain Khan and his wife Nahid Rowshan, and officials of the High Commission welcomed the guests. 

The reception hall was decorated with banners, stands, folk art products, flowers, and lights highlighting the socio-economic progress, culture, heritage, tourism, and agriculture of Bangladesh.  

Welcoming everyone to the event, High Commissioner Md. Iqbal Hossain Khan paid his deep respect to the freedom fighters and the participants of the July-August mass uprising. He highlighted the realization of the hopes and aspirations of the people of both countries to strengthen the relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan. He stressed on increasing cooperation among all to improve the relations between South Asian countries. 

Federal Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif, in his welcome speech, congratulated the government and people of Bangladesh on the occasion of Bangladesh's great independence and national day on behalf of the government of Pakistan. He highly appreciated the significant progress made in Bangladesh's socio-economic sector. Referring to the bilateral relations and historical ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan, he mentioned the need to further strengthen these relations and increase the development cooperation between the people of the two countries. 

The High Commissioner, the chief guest, and the special guests cut the cake to mark the day. The guests were treated to a variety of delicious food, including Bangladeshi cuisine.