ISLAMABAD: Honorary Vice Consul General of Ghana in Pakistan, Umar Shahid Butt has said that Honorary Consul Generals can play a key role in improving bilateral ties.
He was speaking at a dinner in honor of Honorary Consul Generals of different countries hosted by Consul General of Ghana in Pakistan Dr. Shahid Rasheed Butt at his residence.
Additional Foreign Secretary for Africa and former ambassador to Morocco Hamid Asghar Khan was the chief guest, while the Dean of Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador of Turkmenistan Atta Jan, was the guest of honor.
Former Ambassadors Ali Sarwar Naqvi, Khalid Masood, Ghalib Iqbal, Khalid Mehmood and Deputy Heads of Mission of Japan, Finland and Netherlands also attended the gathering. The event was hosted to discuss the role of Honorary Consuls in diplomacy especially in terms of connectivity and search for new markets for trade and investment. The participants discussed the significance of the economy and stressed that proposals and activities for enhancing trade should be the focus of the Honorary Consul General’s work.
Pakistan Additional Foreign Secretary Hamid Asghar Khan threw light on initiatives for economic diplomacy with Africa, as well as the links between the diplomatic community and Honorary Consuls in Pakistan.
He added that in an increasingly complex and challenging landscape, the government of Pakistan has launched the process of appointing honorary consuls’ abroad under a considered policy to enhance the outreach of Diplomatic Missions.
The official noted the role of honorary consuls is beneficial in this regard adding that Africa is a very important continent with a population of 1.5 billion and a large part of this population consists of young people who have a growing need for goods and services that Pakistan can provide. He said at present, Pakistan’s trade with Africa is 5.2 billion dollars, which needs to be increased.
Atta Jan, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Turkmenistan, speaking on this occasion, said that Pakistan is a great country with a huge population and has immense potential for development.
He noted that Honorary Consuls’ are important for promoting better ties between Pakistan and other countries. The ambassador said Honorary Consul Generals are also key in promoting economic and trade relations between Pakistan and other countries.
Honorary Consul General of Turkey and former Federal Minister Salim Saifullah, in his views, said that Honorary Consul Generals should be welcomed as assets and useful tools by the government. During the broader discussion, it was stated that there are 145 Honorary Consul Generals in Pakistan.
Host Umar Shahid Butt speaking on this occasion said that Honorary Consul Generals can play a key role in improving bilateral ties. He noted Their primary mission is to promote economic and trade ties between their home country and the country they represent. “A well-organized Honorary Consular Corps will strengthen relations with the government and the business community,” he said.
Consul General of Lithuania Masoud Khan said that Lithuania is a small country in terms of population but it is a country with a 55 billion euro economy, and is the world’s top provider of nanotechnology, laser technology, and bio-technology. He went on to say Lithuania is a knowledge-based country with enormous investment opportunities. Former Ambassador Ghalib Iqbal said that a strong will is needed to make the Honorary Consular Forum a vibrant functioning body. A representative should be appointed to act as a liaison between the Foreign Office and the Honorary Consul Generals.
Among those who participated in the ceremony were Ambassador of Jordan, Dr. Maen KHREASAT, Ambassador of Nepal, Tapas Adhikari, Honorary Consul General of Turkey and former Federal Minister Salim Saifullah, Honorary Consul General of Iceland Saad Mehmood, Honorary Consul General of Lithuania, Masood Khan, Honorary Consul General of Mexico Faisal Munir, Honorary Consul General of Finland Asad Ansari, Honorary Consul General of the Czech Republic for KPK Asad Saifullah, Honorary Consul General of Tunisia Imad Rasheed, Bosnia’s Consul General for KPK Asad Salim.
