PAKISTANI COMMUNITY BIDS
FAREWELL TO AMBASSADOR
By Mujahid Iqbal
Pakistan Business Center Kuwait’s Director General Hafiz Muhammad Shabbir organized a farewell party at the Zamarrud Hall in honor of outgoing Pakistani Ambassador to Kuwait, His Excellency Ghulam Dastagir, who has been posted to the UAE. Embassy officials including Dr Omar Jawaid, Community Welfare Attache, and Mirza Danish Baig were at hand. Many social organizations’ office bearers also attended the event.
The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran and naats. Dastagir detailed his achievements and struggles for the welfare of the community during his three-and-a-half-year posting in Kuwait. He said he had great relations with all Pakistani organizations and tried to join all their programs. If he couldn’t participate in any program, it was due to official engagements, he said.
The ambassador spoke about three main challenges facing the Pakistani community in Kuwait – the ban on visas, the stoppage of flights by Pakistani flag-carrier PIA to Kuwait and the state of the embassy building. Dastagir spoke about efforts to lift the 12-year ban on visas for Pakistani by both the previous and current Pakistani governments, including during visits by the former prime minister and current foreign minister. He said he hoped that before he leaves the country, he will have some good news in this regard.
On the embassy building, Dastagir said due to the tight finances of the Pakistani government, no action can be taken for at least two years. He said PIA is currently facing a shortage of aircraft, and may resume some flights in the future. The ambassador thanked everyone for the wonderful party, especially Hafiz Muhammad Shabbir.
Hafiz Muhammad Shabbir thanked all participants, and hailed the ambassador’s support to promote business in Kuwait, especially Pakistani mangoes, which are now widely available in Kuwait. Other community and business leaders also praised the work of Ghulam Dastagir and thanked him for his untiring efforts to further the cause of the Pakistani community in Kuwait. The evening ended with an awards ceremony and dinner banquet.
Photos from the event
