Constitution Day of the Kingdom of Norway – Ambassador Expresses Solidarity with Ukraine -Looking Forward to Mark 75 Years of Relations with Pakistan

Tazeen Akhtar / Islamabad : 18 May 2023                                     Constitution is the solid base of any nation and state in which the rights and duties of the state organs and inhabitants are defined and determined so that the state can be governed amicably and smoothly. Alive nations respect their constitutions and obey it from the core of their heart. Similarly , the people and the government of  Kingdom of Norway hold their constitution in high esteem and celebrate the day of the adoption as their national day.Norwegians worldwide mark the adoption of constitution on 17 May in the year of 1814.

Ambassador of Norway in Pakistan H.E.Mr. Per Albert Ilsaas hosted a garden reception  to celebrate the day with Pakistani friends of Norway. Federal Minister Anti Narcotics Shah Zain Bugti, President of Azad Kashmir Barrister Sultan Mehmood, Former Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Suhail Mehmood, Former Minister Interior Etzaz Ahsan, MNA Mohsin Dawar, Chairman Islamic Ideological Council Qibla Ayaz, Imam of Badshahi Masjid Lahore Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, Former Chairperson Federal Ombudsman for Anti Harassment Kashmala Tariq, government officials, parliamentarians, diplomats, businessmen, media and civil society representatives attend the reception in large number.

Ambassador in his keynote address shed light on the history of the adoption of the constitution. As he noted the day offers an occasion to celebrate the principles of democracy and Rule of Law on which our modern polity was founded, as well as to reflect on these principles. As one is reminded often, these principles can never be taken for granted.

Mr. Ilsaas shared the history in detail with the early defects in the constitution and how they were removed in a decades long struggle to shape up an inclusive state that is welcoming for the minorities and other religions as well. When the constitution was adopted, it was far from being perfect. Its original article two was distinctly illiberal.

The evangelical-lutheran religion remained the official State religion. Inhabitants who profess to this religion were obligated to raise their children in this religion. Jesuits and orders of munks were not to be tolerated. Jews were still barred from entering the realm.

Ambassador said, ” In Europe, this was an aberration at the time. It took decades, and four votes in parliament, until the shameful prohibition on Jews entering the realm was lifted, as late as 1851.”

This was not the only gross inequity and injustice in modern Norwegian history. From approximately 1850, the state adopted a policy of “Norwegianisation” — essentially a policy to assimilate the other nationalities on the territory of the state who had lived there throughout recorded history: the Sámi and Kvens, the latter also known as Norwegian Finns. This destructive and demeaning policy continued for over 100 years, causing untold, irreparable pain and damage to the Sámi and Kven peoples and their languages.

In this regard, Mr. Ilsaas referred to the  speech of His Majesty King Harald to the Sámi Parliament in 1997 in which H.M  apologized for the injustices committed against the Sámi and Kvens/Norwegian Finns. In 2018, a commission was appointed by the  Parliament to Investigate the Norwegianisation Policy and Injustice against the Sámi and Kvens/Norwegian Finns. The commission will present its report next month – an event of major importance in contemporary Norway.

Ambassador, like last year’s reception, here too, spoke on Russia-Ukraine as well. He was determined and firm while expressing himself and sharing the stand of his government on the crisis. He said, “In my speech on this day last year, I spoke at length about Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.Reactions afterwards were mixed. Some colleagues found my remarks a little blunt, even undiplomatic, during a national day reception. I respectfully beg to disagree.”

“As Norway’s ambassador to Pakistan, I have a responsibility to communicate clearly to counterparts here in Islamabad my government’s grave concern about allowing the Russian government’s criminal misadventure to go unchecked. There is no doubt in my mind that this continued war of conquest and destruction – and the concomitant, grave war crimes, habitually committed by Moscow in the course of prosecuting its war – represents the biggest threat to international peace and security, and international law, the international community as a whole is presently confronting. This is no time, therefore, for “diplomatic business as usual”, Mr. Ilsaas continued.

He was delightful and full of hope on the topic of Norway Pakistan Relations. He was extremely pleased to inform the guests that  in December this year will be marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between Norway and Pakistan.

“We will celebrate then that the bonds between our two nations remain strong and warm. Norway’s relationship with Pakistan’s government and people is one built on friendship and mutual respect. It is one that we value very highly, and which we are keen to deepen and develop further in all areas, Ambassador mentioned.

He said, ” As a committed friend of Pakistan, in the seventy-fifth years of relations, on the day that Norwegians celebrate our own constitution, the societal advancements we have made,and the blessings we continue to experience as a resource-rich and prosperous nation in a peaceful corner of the European continent, Norway wants to see a Pakistan that prospers and develops, and which delivers on the aspirations of its people, in accordance with its constitution.”

H.E.Mr. Per Albert Ilsaas wished the best for Pakistan quoting a line from Pakistani constitution. He said, “We wish to see a country at peace with itself and where, to quote from the preamble of the Constitution of Pakistan, “the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance, and social justice, as enunciated by Islam, shall be fully observed”.

The guests gave huge applaud to the remarks of the host ambassador who was expressive as well as sincere in his words and thoughts. Especially, European envoys appreciated the stance of the government of Norway on Russia-Ukraine. Ambassador of Ukraine Mr. Marciian Chuchuk was also present among the guests.

It was a pleasant weather evening that coincided with the celebration of the day. Later in the last hour of the event cool breeze and rain further added to the beautiful night. The guests enjoyed the evening with variety of drinks and snacks.

Pakistan Norway Relations

According to Pakistan Embassy in Oslo, there are an estimated 50,000 Pakistanis residing in Norway. Pakistanis are engaged almost in every field, including police service, airlines, banks, teaching, medical, engineering, journalism, media and politics contributing meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the two countries. Some Pakistanis  are elected members of the Norwegian Parliament. A number of Pakistan-origin Norwegians had been elected during the local municipal elections, held in September 2019.

Norway and Kharian city of Pakistan in Gujrat District have special relation. Most of the Pakistanis living in Norway are from Kharian. That is why Kharian is sometimes referred as “Kharway” as well.

Norway views Pakistan as an attractive investment destination apart from a trade partner. There are around 10 Norwegian companies with businesses in Pakistan. Telenor is the largest Norwegian firm with investments over US$ 4 billion since 2004. Other Norwegian companies with businesses in Pakistan are (i) Nera Networks, providing services and equipment to the telecommunications sector, (ii) Jotun Paints, producing paint at a modern factory near Lahore, (iii) The Varner Group, contracting garments from various Pakistani textile factories, (iv) Bokhari (NorPak International), producing and exporting rugs and other handicraft textile products from Pakistan to Norway.Norwegian alternative energy company Scatec Solar ASA is setting up three solar plants of 50 MW capacity each in Sukkur, Sindh.