Pakistan : Trusted and Reliable Friend of Nepal
– Dr. Manju Ratna Sakya
President
Nepal Journalists Association
Pakistan, a lovely country is one of the important countries of South Asia and occupies a central position. It is the land of many attractions and surprises. In the north there are the greater, the highest, the youngest and the mightiest mountains, known as the Karakorams, the Himalayas and the Hindukush. This area offers a great variety of scenic splendors not only to the travellers but also to the lovers of nature, arts, adventurers, scientists, biologists and hydrologists etc.
Nepal-Pakistan Relations :
The relations between Nepal and Pakistan have always been friendly, cordial and cooperative without any problem throughout history. Pakistan has been a true partner and supporter in Nepal’s social and economic development and Pakistan’s fast and steady development is a lesson for Nepal in its bid for modernization and development. Pakistan’s cooperation in infrastructure development and service sector has been highly significant. Nepal has always been grateful for the good neighborly spirit of Pakistan and its development assistance. The age-old friendly relationship has been further reinforced by the exchanges of high-level visits between the two close nations. Nepal- Pakistan relationship which is based on trust provide a model of a relationship with different social systems is remarkably trouble free and there is strong political will and groundswell of public support on both sides to maintain this unique feature of bilateral ties. No matter what has changed in international or internal situation, Nepal- Pakistan friendly cooperative relations would always remain intact. Pakistan would continue to be Nepal’s good neighbour, good friend and good partner. Nepal is a very important neighbour of Pakistan and it is the set policy of Pakistan to further strengthen friendly relations and cooperation with Nepal in all fields. Saying mutual understanding, mutual respect, mutual trust and treating each other equally have become salient characters of Nepal- Pakistan relations. There was no outstanding problem but friendship and cooperation between us.
The most cordial and friendly understanding, goodwill and sentiments of cooperation subsisting so hapily between Nepal and Pakistan from time immemorial and we really feel proud that Nepal and Pakistan alone are such two countries in the world who present such a unique example of peaceful co-existence the like of which cannot be seen anywhere else. We both follow diametrically-opposed social, political and economic systems but yet we both are so close to each other in almost all sectors. Pakistan is providing most liberal and unconditional assistances to Nepal in our all round developments. These unique friendly and good neighborly relations have grown up through the constant exchange of visits between the two countries at all level.
Nepal and Pakistan are very close friendly neighbours. The relations between Nepal and Pakistan are as old as history itself. Our relations always remained not only cordial and cooperative but also steady and stable. Our relation is so closed and cordial that is described as all weather relation to mutual benefit. We, the Nepalese people like and love Pakistan. We respect and regards to Pakistanese people. We have to learn many lessons from Pakistan to develop our country.
We Nepalese regard Pakistanese not only as our old, reliable and trusted friend but also one who always stand by Nepal both in wail and weal.
With this lovely country Pakistan, the friendly relations between Nepal and Islamic Republic of Pakistan have been cordial ever since the establishment of Diplomatic relations between the two countries in December 1960. To support in the strengthening cordial ties of the two countries through the people to people level, Nepal-Pakistan Friendship and Cultural Association (NPFCA) was established and registered with the concerned Department of the Government of Nepal in December 1961 (9th Magha 2018, Monday)
This Friendship Association is one of the pioneers among the same kind of other Associations to be established in Nepal. This Association was established with the aim of strengthening the friendship and promotion of cultural exchanges between the people’s level from both countries.
Current Committee
This Association is on the different activities under the leadership of Mr. Himalaya Shumsher Rana, who is the President. Likewise myself, Mr. Shankar Man Dangol and Mr. Babu Raja Sakya are the General Secretary, Treasurer and Secretary respectively.
The Other Central Executive members of this Association are :
Mr. Ejaz Qadeer Gill (Senior General Manager of Himalayan Bank Ltd.), Prof. Dr. Om Krishna Malla, Dr. Anjana Karki, Dr. Pravin Bahadur Pradhan, Mr. Prakash Maskey, Mr. Nirmal Kumar Aryal,
Mr. Mohan Bir Thapa, Mr. Sudarshan Panta, Mrs. Radha Shrama,
Mr. Rabindra Man Prajapati, Mr. Hari Gopal Pradhan, Mr. Kapil Lohani, Mr. P. Pant and Mr. Pushpa Ratna Dangol.
The NPFCA has also a Advisory committee of Former Nepalese Ambassadors to Pakistan. They are : Gen. (Retd.) Arjun Narsingh Rana, Mr. Pushkar Man Singh Rajbhandari and Mr. Bal Bahadur Kunwar. It might be worthy to mention here that myself, Mr. Shankar Man Dangol and Mr. Babu Raja Sakya are the members who have been still active in this Association since 1968 till the date. .
Activities :
Since its establishment, the NPFCA had organized many remarkable programs but all those are could not be enlisted here in this short space. Thus, only few noteworthy activities that had been well performed, so far, by the Association could be highlighted which are as follows :
– The Centenary anniversary of Creator of Pakistan Mohammed Ali Jinnah was celebrated on 25th December 1976 with a talk programme.
– NPFCA hosted a grand reception function which was organized in honour of President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan General Muhammad Zia-Ul Haq and Madam First lady during their state visit in the Kingdom of Nepal at Hotel Yak and Yeti, Kathmandu on 26th May 1983.
– NPFCA organized a musical evening of Pakistan’s Popular
Singer Mehdi Hassan at Shah Mahal, Naxal during his medal
decoration ceremony by King Birendra at Royal Palace in
Kathmandu.
– A grand reception was held in Kathmandu to mark the official visit of Prime Minister Ms. Benazir Bhutto on 25th May 1994 welcoming her in Nepal as the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Pakistan to visit Nepal.
– To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pakistan‘s Independence Day, Embassy of Pakistan in Nepal and Nepal-Pakistan Friendship and Cultural Association jointly organized a musical evening with Nepal‘s Veteran Gazal singer Mr. Ananda Karki on 14th August 1997 at Birendra International Convention Centre. Crown Prince Dipendra had graced the colorful function.
– NPFCA and the Embassy of Pakistan in Nepal jointly organized a day long seminar on "Poverty Alleviation through community mobilization in Nepal " in Kathmandu which was addressed by Mr. Shoaib Sultan Khan on 3rd October 1999 at Royal Nepal Academy. Former Prime Minister Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba was the Chief guest of the programme.
– NPFCA and Embassy of Pakistan in Nepal had jointly organized a function to celebrate the Independence Day of Pakistan on 14th August 2000 at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza in Kathmandu.
– Reception on Independence Day of Pakistan: To celebrate the Independence Day of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, NPFCA hosted a grand Reception with famous singer Ananda Karki’s gazals with Nepalese songs musical programs at Hotel Malla on 14th August 2007.
– On the occasion of the Independence Day of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Nepal-Pakistan Friendship & Cultural Association organised a grand Reception with a talk programme at the Hotel Malla on 14th August 2008.
– The Musical Evening with Pakistani Popular Singer Shafqat Amanat Ali was performed at Nepal Army Officers Club Auditorium on Friday 24th April 2009. On the occasion of the Grand success of Pakistan Musical Evening, Nepal-Pakistan Friendship and Cultural Association hosted a reception in honour of Pakistan Popular Singer Mr. Shafqat Amanat Ali and his group at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Megha Malhar Hall on 25th April 2009, Saturday. The Ambassador of Pakistan Syed Abrar Hussain, Nepali singers as well as other distinguished persons were present.
– On the occasion of Independence Day of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, NPFCA organised a grand reception with musical evening at The Hotel Malla on 14th August 2009.
– On the auspicious occasion of Independence Day of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and 50 years of Diplomatic Relations between Nepal and Pakistan, Nepal-Pakistan Friendship & Cultural Association organized a grand Reception with talk programe on 14th August 2010 Saturday, at Hotel Radisson, Kathmandu. Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala was the Chief Guest.
– On the occasion of Independence Day of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Nepal-Pakistan Friendship & Cultural Association (NPFCA) organized a grand Reception with musical programme at Hotel Radisson on 14th August 2011, Saturday. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mr. Bharat Mohan Adhikari was the Chief Guest. Likewise, on the auspicious occasion of Independence Day of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Nepal-Pakistan Friendship & Cultural Association (NPFCA) organized a grand Reception at Hotel Radisson on 14th August 2012 Tuesday. Rt. Honble Vice President Mr. Parmanand Jha was the Chief Guest.
During my visit to Pakistan, I had the great opportunity to meet President General Mohammad Zia-Ul-Haq in his Presidential residence on 1982. Likewise, accompanying Their Majesties King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya, I had the great opportunity to meet the Prime Minister Ms. Benezir Bhutto at Fourth SAARC Summit which was held in Islamabad on 1988, During that time I was privileged to put the questions from Nepal side to her on Nepal-Pak Friendly relations.
I still remember my active participation in the International Seminar on Indian State Terrorism in Occupied Kashmir which was organized by Institute of Regional Studies at Hotel Holiday Inn Islamabad on 8th February 2000. The Seminar was inaugurated by President of Pakistan Mr. Muhammad Rafiq Tarar and addressed by Federal Minister of Kashmir Affairs & Northern Areas Mr. Abbas Sarfraz Khan, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Barrister Sultan Mehmood Ch. and Advisor to the Chief Executive of Pakistan Mr. Javed Jabbar. During that time I got the opportunity to meet with all of them seperately.
Likewise, I had the also the great opportunity to meet President of Pakistan General Parvez Musharraf in Islamabad.
During my visits to Pakistan, I still remember my meetings with many Ministers including Minister of Social Welfare Mrs. Nargis N.D. Khan and Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs Muhammad Ayaz Soomro and had a mutual discussion with all of them on Nepal-Pak Friendly Relations.
Golden Jubilee Friendship Award :
On the occasion of Independence Day of Pakistan and to mark 50 years of Pakistan-Nepal Diplomatic relations, H.E. Ambassador of Pakistan Syed Abrar Hussain announced the Golden Jubilee Friendship Award to me. At the function organized by NPFCA. At the same function, Deputy Prime Minister Ms. Sujata Koirala and Pakistan Ambassador Syed Abrar Hussain Jointly honoured to me with a Golden Jubilee Friendship Award in the recognisation of my 40 years continuous contribution to consolidate Nepal-Pakistan friendly relations.
Contributions
NPFCA had contributed relief materials (Blankets etc.) towards the relief efforts being made by the Government of Pakistan for the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Pakistan on 8th October 2005.
NPFCA contributed a cash token of Rs. 10,000 for the “Prime Minister’s Special Fund for Victims of Terrorism” in Malakand Division (Swat, Dir etc.) in Northwest Pakistan on 24th May 2009.
To help to the flood affected people of Pakistan, NPFCA contributed a token of 100 blankets on 3rd August 2010.
Establishment of NPFCA Office
To strengthen the friendly and cordial relations between our two countries, NPFCA has established its office in Maitighar and Kalimati, Kathmandu. NPFCA is planning to open new branches of this Association in different places of Nepal to promote further the friendship between our two countries.
Free Medical Camp :
The NPFCA is planning to organise a Free Medical Camp at the remote areas of Nepal with the help and cooperation from the Nepalese Doctors who got the Doctors’ Degree from Pakistan. In this connection we are organizing Free Medical Camp on 12th April 2014 at Paropakar High School, Bhimsensthan, Kathmandu.
Conclusion
Nepal-Pakistan Friendship and Cultural Association wishes continue peace, glory and prosperity for the people of Pakistan. The Nepalese people have been closely watching with deep interest and sense of high appreciation to the attaining of marvelous achievement of vast developments made by the people of Pakistan.
The ties of intimate friendship, cooperation and good understanding among the people level of both the countries have been subsisting so happily and smoothly. Lets hope the growing spirit of cooperation will pave the way for a new era of peace and prosperity between Nepal and Pakistan.
We definitely hope that the mutual friendly relationship between us will further strengthen in the years to come. I had visited many countries of the world, among them I would like to visit Pakistan again and again because Pakistan is a reliable, trusted and old friend of Nepal.
LONG LIVE NEPAL – PAKISTAN FRIENDLY RELATIONS
* Dr. Sakya is the General Secretary of Nepal-Pakistan Friendship & Cultural Association and Chief Editor of ARPAN Weekly also .
