Remarks by Ambassador Khalil Hashmi at Pakistan National Day Reception Kempinski Hotel, Beijing

March 18,2024

Your Excellency Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong,
Distinguished Ambassadors,
Honourable Guests,
 
Assalam-o-Alaikum, Dajia Hao and Good Evening!
Let me begin by warmly welcoming each one of you to our reception.
Thank you for joining as we celebrate our 84^th National Day.
We celebrate this day as it marks the beginning of our forefather’s democratic struggle for an independent homeland. On 23 March 1940, the Muslims of South Asia adopted a historic Pakistan resolution in the city of Lahore.
In the pursuit of a homeland and to realize their rights, our founding fathers waged a constitutional and legal struggle. Millions gave everything they had for national independence, dignity and honour.
 
Today, we pay our tribute to them, especially the Founding Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who led the Muslims of South Asia to an independent state of Pakistan in 1947.
 
Ladies & Gentlemen,
 
Pakistan has come a long way since its independence. We are still a relatively young nation but very much connected with its ancient roots. We are proud of our social, scientific, and diplomatic achievements.
 
We have had our fair share of security and economic challenges. We have always bounced back stronger, thanks to the resilience and perseverance of our people and armed forces, Over the last seven decades, we have successfully countered external aggression, defeated the scourge of terrorism and withstood devastating natural calamities.
 
We have also been at the forefront of ground-breaking diplomatic initiatives at the global stage, promoting peace, harmony and development.
 
Pakistan is the fifth largest nation of 240 million people, with a rich and diverse cultural heritage spanning over five millennia. Some glimpses of this heritage are on display outside this hall.
 
Pakistan has a large and dynamic diaspora. We recognize their valuable contribution to their homeland as well as in countries of their residence.
 
Today we celebrate the achievements of Pakistani community in China, students, professors, doctors, bankers, entrepreneurs and business people. Together they have strengthened Pakistan-China friendship.
 
I take this opportunity to thank Netsol, a global Pakistani company that specializes in IT services and JW Corporation, a leading international enterprise of Pakistani origin, for their support in organizing this reception. The presence of these and other Pakistani companies in China is a source of continued strength for deepening economic and people to people linkages between our two countries.
 
Ladies & Gentlemen,
 
Pakistan takes immense pride in its unique and time-tested friendship with China. Our two countries are not only connected by land, rivers and mountains. We are also joined by a heart corridor, founded on the shared values of mutual respect, trust, solidarity and support.
 
Together, our two countries and people have overcome hardships and celebrated triumphs, standing shoulder to shoulder in good and difficult times, in the true spirit of Iron Brotherhood. Our relationship remains a source of peace and stability in the region and beyond. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a crown jewel of BRI, stands as a shining testament of win- win cooperation.
 
As Ambassador of Pakistan to China, my team and I are committed to implementing the consensus reached between our leadership to fortify the strategic trust between our two countries, strengthen our ties across multiple domains and build an even stronger China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future in the New Era.
 
I thank you all!
 
Pakistan Zindabad!