Ambassador’s address @ English Speaking Union hosted by President Khalid Malik
Rubab Tabassum
Ambassador of Ethiopia , H.E Jemal Beker Abdullah has given another good news of starting direct flights between Addis Ababa and Lahore Islamabad soon. Ethiopian Airlines is already operating 4 direct flights in a week for Karachi connecting Pakistan to not with Ethiopia only but with whole Africa. Ethiopian Airline is the largest airline in Africa that connects the capitals of Africa more than any other airline in the region.
Ambassador shared this in his keynote address that he delivered to English Speaking Union at the residence of President ESU Mr. Khalid Malik. H.E was chief guest in the event “Ethiopia Pakistan Relations and Impact on the Economy of both Countries”.
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The event is a continuous program arranged by ESU with the ambassadors serving in Islamabad. Ambassador of Yemen, H.E Mohammed Motaher Alashabi, Ms Oksana from Ukraine Embassy, Brig R Sardar Sajjad, Zia ur Rahman Zabeeh, Chairman Zabeeh Group, Ambassador R Fauzia Nasreen, Dr Ibrar Ahmad were also present.
Ambassador said, Pakistanis are loving and caring people. They believe in harmony, connectivity and universality that pave the way to building strong relations. Ethiopia respects Pakistani efforts for peace in the world. Both countries enjoy strategic partnership.
Recalling his arrival in Pakistan a year ago, Ambassador shared Ethiopian contribution in relief assistance to the victims of flood. He shared his observations during his visits to flood hit areas in Sindh. H.E appreciated the spirit of Pakistanis which they express in helping the needy and victims of calamities.
Mr. Jemal welcomed election in Pakistan and termed it in accordance with the aspirations of the public , especially the youth and women. He said, Ethiopia is looking forward to working with new government. Both countries had political consultation and developed consensus on different agreements. We expect the agreements would be signed when elected government assumes the charge.
Ambassador referred to migration of Muslims from Arab to Habshah (present Ethiopia) when Najashi was king there and he was kind to Muslims. The last prophet Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH) directed Muslims to migrate to Habshah to avoid the cruelties of infidels.
H.E Jemal said, both countries have many common factors including history of Islam as well as history of civilizations. Ethiopia is one of the oldest civilizations in Africa. Both countries have strategic geographical location in Africa and Asia. Almost half of the world population is linked with or around these two states. We have federal system of governance. Both countries are torch bearers of world peace.
Mr. Jemal Beker said, Ethiopia is gateway to Africa that has a population of 1.4 Billion. Pakistan is following Look Africa and Engage Africa policies. We provide you access to whole Africa. We need to bridge the gaps that are present at institutional level to harness the opportunities on both sides. Both countries need to develop contacts at P-to-P , B-to-B , Military, Intelligence and Academia levels.
He stressed, this is the age of economic diplomacy. The two sides should be cognizant of their requirements and the road maps should be evolved to the achievement of the targets. Ethiopia has the largest intergovernmental agreement in Africa. We are actively engaged with African Union. We offer the gateway.
Pakistan can export technology, sports and surgical items, textile etc. Ethiopia can provide coffee that is the best in the world but our tea is also good. Ethiopia is land of tourism with global standardized tourism. We have safaris that are worth visiting. We welcome Pakistani tourists.
Ambassador , on lighter note, attracted the participants to go to Ethiopia for becoming younger than their actual age. He shared that according to the Ethiopian calendar , you will be less 7 years of your age because our year is longer than Gregorian calendar. On this , Editor Tazeen Akhtar added , in that case , the number of women tourists to Ethiopia will always be higher than the men because women are more sensitive of age as compared to men. The guests enjoyed this conversation a lot.
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