Hearty congratulations on behalf of Nepal and Nepalese people on the occasion of 76th Independence Day of Pakistan.
In a special program organized on the occasion of this day, His Excellency the Ambassador  Abrar H. Hashmi said that the diplomatic relations between Nepal and Pakistan are cordial. His Excellency the Ambassador said –

Honourable Chief Guest, Rt. Honourable, Vice President of Nepal Ram Sahaya Yadav
Excellences,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

Asslamoalikum, Namaste and a good afternoon.  

Kindly accept our gratitude for sparing time and joining us this evening to celebrate 76th Independence Anniversary of Pakistan

Am thankful to Nepal Pakistan Friendship and Cultural Association (NPFCA), especially Dr Manju Ratna Sakya (Tamgh e Khidmat), Daniel and team as well as my team for organizing and coordinating this reception event. I commend NPFCA for holding the two flags together and their continuous efforts to promote mutual understanding between the two countries.

Today, we pay tribute to late President of NPFCA Hon Himalaya Shamsher Rana sb, who remained an ardent leader, a true friend who and put in indefatigable efforts for over two decades in forging closer relations between the two people and institutions of Pakistan and Nepal. His departure is a great collective loss. I recognize tonight the support of Late Himalaya Shamsher Rana’s family and especially his children present amongst us.  Pritma, Ashoka and Amar.  

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
As we commemorate our 76th Independence, Rt. Hon Vice President I would like to extend our best wishes to the people and leadership of Nepal.

Today, remember the words of our founding father  Quaid Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah with regard to goals and aspirations Foreign Policy of Pakistan 
Mr Jinnah explicitly highlighted commitment to establish peaceful land for cordial relationship with all the countries of the world.

I quote the founder of the nation:  

“Our foreign policy is one of friendliness and goodwill towards all the nations of the world. We do not cherish aggressive designs against any country or region. We believe in the principle of honesty and fair play in national and international dealings and are prepared to make our utmost contribution to the promotion of peace and prosperity among the nations of the world. Pakistan will never be found lacking in extending its material and moral support to the oppressed and suppressed peoples of the world, and in upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter.”

The Quaid also said,
“There is nothing that we desire more ardently than to live in peace and let others live in peace, and develop our country ….. without outside interference, and improve the lot of the common man”.

Distinguished Ladies & Gentlemen

Both Pakistan and Nepal are parliamentary democracies. Yesterday, Pakistan’s National Assembly completed its term and in couple of days a caretaker government will take up office to hold elections within the constitutional framework under the directions of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Ladies & Gentlemen, 
Nepal is a close friend in a near-neighborhood. Pakistan and Nepal have traditionally enjoyed cordial relations, based on goodwill, mutual respect and  cooperation. Our civilizational commonalities, same regional dynamics, cultural and linguistic similarities as well as common ecological and climate change make us multifaceted partners. Their outlook on SAARC and its potential role is also similar, as a regional platform to address common challenges, to build synergies and promote cooperative relationships in the region.

Our two countries respect each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and remain faithful to the concept of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. We support one another in various international fora and share common goals, which include promoting regional development, peace and cooperation, hold similar views on many issues of common interests at various international & regional forums.

Pakistan’s approach to its partnership with Nepal is also underpinned by the desire to mutually benefit.  Every year, a large number of young Nepalese students go to Pakistan to pursue studies in Medicine, Engineering, Dentistry and other fields under the Pakistan Technical Assistance Program. Through this Program, scholarships are awarded to young Nepali students in the finest institutions of our country.

Distinguished Ladies & Gentlemen,

More than 7000 Nepalese have studied in Pakistan over the years, including doctors, engineers, Agriculturists, Journalists, Bankers, Pilots and Defence personnel, and others who are now contributing to the progress and development of Nepal in their respective fields.

At another level the Embassy manages a modest but critical South Asia – Pakistan Special Assistance (SAPSA) Program. Here we support education through award of partial scholarships to most deserving students, Essay and declamation competitions etc.   In health sector we organize two medical camps and support Bharatpur eye hospital established in 1977 with a philanthropic funds by Aga Hasan Abidi, besides the promotion of tourism and environmental services.  

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

Periodic High level exchanges between the leadership took place and the leadership also avails chances to meet on the sidelines of international events: Recently, Hon FM Saud met the PM in London. Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi  paid an official visit to Nepal in March 2018. Just before COVID, our two foreign secretaries met in February 2020 for bilateral political consultations in Islamabad.

The bilateral trade, which was US$7.2 Million last year. It has the potential to increase manifold. The two governments signed a trade agreement in July 1982. A Joint Business Council (JBC) exists between the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). [Similarly, Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Nepal Chamber signed MOUs with Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry]. Besides goods exchanges, in services huge potential exists ITeS especially for the youth from both countries which can push the frontiers to the new horizons.

Nepal-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) was set up at the level of Finance Ministers in 1983 to promote economic cooperation between the two countries. In its 6th meeting JEC held in Islamabad, deliberated on trade and commerce, banking and finance, agriculture and livestock, energy, health, education, culture, tourism, telecom, ICT, and civil aviation.

It is unique that Pakistan and Nepal share the highest 14 mountain peaks.  Pakistan and Nepal also share numerous sites for religious tourism.  We want to share this heritage which can be great interests of our Buddhist and Hindu brothers.

Moreover, there is scope for cooperation in other fields including sports, culture and handicrafts, as well infrastructure development and human resource development.

Institutionalized efforts to promote tourism would certainly be useful there already. Nepal and Pakistan signed an Agreement on Tourism Cooperation in February 2009 and a working Group was constituted under the Agreement which so far met thrice.

Nepal and Pakistan signed a Cultural Agreement in May 1970 which aims at promoting cultural relations, establishing inter-universities relations, and cooperation between Radio and Television. Nepal-Pakistan Friendship and Cultural Association is in operation in Kathmandu. A Nepal Friendship Group also exists in Islamabad.

There has been a Pakistan chair at Tribhuvan University, which has been contributing to mutual understanding and knowledge sharing. Number of arrangements between the two governments, and centres of learning exist.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

Both Pakistan and Nepal are vulnerable to climate change. We share ecologically fragile Himalaya ranges, glaciers continue to melt and in both countries face increased risk of floods - Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) and water shortages in the medium and long run and hence food shortages. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the sustainable development of the region. Pakistan has seen floods of epic scale last year over 33 million people impacted, and Pakistan has endured a huge economic loss of over US$35 billion.

At the heels of devastating floods, we secured the agreement with the support of friends (G-77 and China) for a “Loss and damage fund’, the world needs to act together to mitigate impacts of climate change; (ii) disaster preparedness; and (iii) build a climate resilient economy, infrastructure, crops, and so on.

The global South or the Developing countries are disproportionately impacted by the recent events. For Pakistan, the shocks of global pandemic (COVID-19) and resultant slowdown of the global economy; global supply chain disruptions; Russia’s war in Ukraine Pakistan faced floods of epic scale pushed inflation and upward.

There is potential, in our views for the further strengthening of bilateral cooperation. On our side, I can assure you that Pakistan committed to promotion and enhancing of our relationship in different sectors. Our Embassy which shifted last month to new location on Chundevi Marg in Kathmandu would continue to endeavor to further develop our relationship to the mutual benefits of our two peoples.

Before concluding, Ladies & Gentlemen, I would once again like to thank the Pakistan-Nepal Friendship Association for arranging today’s function. I would like to thank the Honorable Chief Guest and all other guests for their presence here at the function that marks the 76th anniversary of the Independence of Pakistan.

Lastly, I pray that may the relationship between Pakistan and Nepal make further strides to the benefit of our two countries, and their inhabitants.

Thank You.