Report; Zakiya Rasheed/Simra Kiyani
Pictures; Sultan Bashir
Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan Ms Tehmina Janjua has paid tributes to Ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan Ms Sewa Lamsal Adhikari for her tremendous services in enhancing the bilateral relations. She commended her role as Ambassador not only because Ms Sewa Lamsal is a woman but for her untiring efforts to take the mutual cooperation to new heights. She termed Ms Sewa Lamsal as a very diligent ambassador.
Tehmina Janjua said this in her keynote address at the inauguration ceremony in connection with Nepalese Food Festival at Marriott’s Hotel Islamabad on 03 April 2019. The Festival kick started from the same evening and it will continue on 4 and 5 April.
The food lovers of twin cities can taste different dishes of Nepalese Cuisine on very reasonable rates. The heart catching music performance by Nepalese Band “Kutumba” is free with food.
Ambassador Sewa Lamsal and her staff very amicably hosted the event that was mainly dedicated to celebration of 60 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Nepal and Pakistan. A large number of dignitaries from government circles, foreign office, representatives of hospitality industry, civil society, foreign community, diplomats, business community and media persons were present at the occasion.
General Manager Marriott’s Islamabad Mr Maurizio Romani was also remained active in welcoming the guests and looking after the arrangements of the event to make it memorable.
Former foreign ministers of Pakistan, Mr Sartaj Aziz and Gauhar Ayub, former Governor KPK Commander R Khalil , Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ms Andleeb Abbas were the most prominent among the guests.
Ms Tehmina Janjua, in her address, said that Nepal is very important country for Pakistan. Nepal is member of SAARC. This forum can be vibrant thanks to the constructive role of the member. Nepal is playing its role to make this forum beneficial for the people of South Asia. She said that Nepal has rich culture and hospitable nation. Certainly their cuisine is also worth loving. She welcomed Nepal Food Festival in Islamabad and said that it will further add to already existing warm and cordial relations.
Pakistani Secretary Foreign Affairs also spoke on tourism. She said that Nepal attracts millions of tourists from across the glob every year. Therefore Nepal has vast experiences in tourism sector. Our Prime Minister Imran Khan attaches great importance to tourism for improving the national economy. Pakistan would love to share Nepalese expertise and experience to promote this industry here as well.
Earlier, General Manager Marriott’s Mr Romani in his opening remarks welcomed the guests and expressed hope that they will enjoy the food and the music by Kutumba Band that especially traveled all the way long from Nepal to perform in the festival.
Ambassador Sewa Lamsal Adhikari, in her speech, threw light on the history of bilateral relations and important milestones in this journey of boosting the mutual cooperation to the maximum level. She thanked the guest, especially the Foreign Secretary for her encouraging remarks.
Later Kutumba Band enthralled the audience on Nepalese tunes. The band also dedicated one performance to Pakistan. They received huge applause from the listeners.
Food was served afterwards that the guest found very tasty and ate more than their appetite . Nepalese dishes are generally healthier than most other South Asian cuisine, relying less on using fats and more on chunky vegetables, lean meats, pickled ingredients and salads.
Earlier in the day, Ambassador held a press conference separately in which she apprised the media about the variety of dishes from her country and the band performed to the amusement of the media persons.
