British Queen’s 93rd birthday
British High Commissioner, Thomas Drew CMG, organized a reception to celebrate the Queen’s 93rd birthday, at his residence, during the week. This was the third of three Queen’s Birthday parties, following celebrations in Lahore and Karachi.
The celebration of the Queen’s birthday was attended by senior government officials, politicians, military personnel, diplomats from other missions and civil society representatives.
Speaking at the Queen’s Birthday Party reception the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Thomas Drew CMG, said: “Thank you all for joining us at our celebrations of the 93rd birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.
The UK and Pakistan share a special bond through strong people to people connections, our shared love for cricket, and increased cooperation in the fields of education, health, culture and security.
Thomas Drew said, “I am confident the relationship between the UK and Pakistan is only going to grow stronger.”
Ambassadors visit RCCI Rawal Expo
The Ambassadors of different countries including Ukraine, Sri Lanka, Jordan and UAE paid a visit to the Rawal International Expo 2019 organised by Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) at Ayub National Park Rawalpindi.
Volodymyr Lakomov, Ambassador of Ukraine, UAE Hamad Obaid Alzaabi, Sri Lanka Noordeen Mohamed Shaheid and Jordan envoy Ibrahim Yali Mohammad while visiting different stalls, appreciated the role of RCCI in promoting trade activities through exhibitions. They took keen interest in different products displays, Defence Products, Textile and handicrafts.
They assured their full cooperation and assistance for promoting trade delegations between the chambers and replicate the same in their respective countries.
RCCI President Malik Shahid Saleem welcomed the guests and gave a short briefing on Rawal International Expo 2019.
RCCI President said that Rawal EXPO 2019 was aiming to increase business activities along with providing entertainment to the masses. More than 50 international companies including China, Thailand, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal and Afghanistan have displayed their products in the expo.
Crafts bazaar at Serena Hotel
Nomad Art Gallery in collaboration with Serena Hotels arranged Crafts Bazaar at Serena Hotel Court Bazaar. Over 28 business concerns especially from Northern Areas of Pakistan, participated in the Crafts bazaar. Various stalls were established where traditional items from these areas were displayed. The diplomatic community particularly evinced interest in handcrafts and hand-made traditional dresses.
Apart from traditional dresses, artificial jewelry; home-made honey; dry fruits and other stuff also remained centre of attraction.
Ambassador of Italy Stefano Pontecorvo together with CEO Serena Hotels Central and East Asia Aziz Boolani and Nageen Hayat of Nomad Art Gallery inaugurated the Crafts bazaar.
The Italian ambassador in his speech praised Serena hotels for facilitating such an impressive event and providing the people with an opportunity of buying traditional handicrafts and other stuff.
Canadian model withdraws her case against two men
Canadian model Asoomii Jay alias Assma Galuta – who was harassed by two men in Islamabad – has reportedly withdrawn her complaint. Jay, known for her humanitarian work, is currently visiting the country to raise awareness about social injustices, including Islamophobia.
In a video message, she said although she has identified her harassers, however, she wishes no further action against them.
Expressing gratitude, Jay said the “swift action taken by the Pakistani authorities acts as a testament to the fact that Pakistan is a peace-loving country”. “I have dropped all charges after I received a sincere apology because I truly believe in the concept of ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ when I found out these boys were young and their families were being tormented, I understood their parents will deal with them at home for bringing shame,” she said.
Earlier, she maintained that she was in an area on the confluence of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, waiting for her cab to go home when two men pulled up in a car and started cat-calling her and repeatedly told her to get in their car during the week. When she refused, they followed her cab for the next two hours as she travelled to her destination in Islamabad.
A video she made of the men showed them trying to intercept her car and asking the driver for her destination. She had posted the video on the internet and it went viral.
Islamabad IGP Amir Zulfiqar Khan had also taken notice of the incident and directed to arrest the culprits.
A first information report (FIR) of the incident was later registered against the two suspects at Sihala police station with charges of attempting to illegally confine, criminally intimidate and assault.
Earlier, federal police arrested the two men who were accused of harassing Jay.