SEPTEMBER 2017

NEWSLETTEREMBASSY OF
THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTANTOKYO, JAPANIN THIS NEWSLETTER:

1. 70th Independence
Anniversary Celebrations,2017.
- Flag Hoisting Ceremony- Pakistan-Japan Friendship
Festival 2017

- Sufi Music Evening held at
Pakistan Embassy- Ambassador attends
Independence Event organized byPAJ

CELEBRATIONS OF PAKISTAN INDEPDNDENCE DAY
AUGUST 14, 2017
The 70th anniversary of Independence ofPakistan wascelebrated at
the Embassyof Pakistan,Tokyowithutmost zeal,
fervourandenthusiasm
drawing large
numberofPakistani
Community
members. Ambassador Asad M.
Khan hoisted
the national flag whilst the audience
recitedtheNational Anthem of Pakistan.
The Ambassador read the messages of the President and Prime Minister ofPakistan. The messages emphasized upon making a firm commitment to adhere to- Youm-e-Azadi Cricket Cup(Independence Cup)

2. Ambassador’s meeting with
President JICA
3. Ambassador’s meeting with
Chairman JETRO
4. Ambassador’s presentation toPakistan Japan Association
5. Ambassdor meets Chairman
and CEO of JSDA

our national objectives and goals besides promoting love and harmony to secure
the future of the nation.
The Ambassador in his remarks reiterated that Pakistan had been achieved after
rendering innumerable scarifies, hence, it was imperative upon all Pakistanis tostrive for promoting peace, progress and unity in Pakistan. He expressed hisresolve to work untiringly to further strengthen the close relationship between
Japan and Pakistan.

4-6-17, Minami-Azabu Minato-ku Tokyo, 106-0047 – Tel: 035421-7741 & Fax: 03-54213610 – Email: pareptokyo@mofa.gov.pk - Website: www.pakistanembassytokyo.com

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Celebrations of Pakistan Independence

THE AMBASSADOR INAUGURATES PAKISTAN-JAPAN FRIENDSHIP FESTIVAL

In connection with string of events being organized to celebrate the forth coming Independence Dayof Pakistan and the 65th Anniversary of Pak-Japan relations, Ambassador Asad M. Khan inaugurated
the Pakistan Japan Friendship Festival at Ueno Park, Tokyo. He was joined in the inauguration by
the legendary sports icon and Member House of Councillors, Antonio Inoki, Ambassador NobuakiTanaka, Ambassador Seiji Kojima and Mr. Yoshikatsu Nakayama, former member of the House ofRepresentatives.

Addressing the audience, the Ambassador highlighted the strength of Japan-Pakistan friendshipstretched over a period of 65 years and based on mutual respect and dignity. He remarked that it was amoment of great personal satisfaction for him to return to Japan again after 23 years as he considered thisgreat country as his second home. The Ambassador reiterated that it was his earnest desire that cordiality andco-operation remained the cornerstone in relations and friendship between the two countries.

4-6-17, Minami-Azabu Minato-ku Tokyo, 106-0047 – Tel: 035421-7741 & Fax: 03-54213610 – Email: pareptokyo@mofa.gov.pk - Website: www.pakistanembassytokyo.com

2Celebrations of Pakistan Independence

PAKISTAN-JAPAN FRIENDSHIP FESTIVAL 2017
The Ambassador was all praise for the Pakistani Community for organizing a wonderful festival
aimed at projecting the culture and cuisine of both countries. He acknowledged the fact that Pakistanicommunity was vibrantly promoting Pakistan and the festival itself was testimony to it. He assured complete
cooperation and support of the Embassy to the Community in all initiatives aimed at the projection of ‘True
Image’ of Pakistan.

A huge number of people from all walks of life attended the opening of the festival and thoroughly
enjoyed live music and cuisine of both the countries. People thronged the stalls showcasing Pakistaniand Japanese articrafts, dresses and other items of interest.

4-6-17, Minami-Azabu Minato-ku Tokyo, 106-0047 – Tel: 035421-7741 & Fax: 03-54213610 – Email: pareptokyo@mofa.gov.pk - Website: www.pakistanembassytokyo.com

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Celebrations of Pakistan Independence

PAKISTAN-JAPAN FRIENDSHIP FESTIVAL 2017
Large number of people participated in the closing ceremony of the festival which was held on
Independence Day i.e. 14th August. The festival enthralled people for five days. Ambassador Asad M.
Khan alongwith Embassy staff attended the concluding event. Keeping in view the Independence
Day of Pakistan, the Ambassador hoisted the flag whilst hundreds of people sang the nationalanthem. The national anthem of Japan was also played on the occasion.

Addressing the audience, the Ambassador remarked that it was heartening to see hundreds ofPakistanis attending in the event with enthusiasm and promoting the culture, life music and cuisine of
Pakistan in Japan. He added that the efforts of the organizers were commendable as they were able
to put-up an excellent show attracting people with their families from all walks of life.
The event concluded with pledge to work together for the betterment of Pakistan and further
strengthening the cordial relations between Pakistan and Japan.
4-6-17, Minami-Azabu Minato-ku Tokyo, 106-0047 – Tel: 035421-7741 & Fax: 03-54213610 – Email: pareptokyo@mofa.gov.pk - Website: www.pakistanembassytokyo.com

4Celebrations of Pakistan Independence

SUFI MUSIC EVENING HELD AT EMBASSY
As part of the celebrations to commemorate the 70th birth anniversary of Pakistan and 65thanniversary of Japan-Pakistan diplomatic relations, a musical evening was organized at the Embassy.
Dignitaries including diplomats, political figures, media persons and socialites attended the event in alarge number.

The Ambassador paid rich tribute to late ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan on his 20 th death anniversary
and remembered him as one of the pioneers of the sufi music in Pakistan.
The audience was enthralled by maestro Joji Ali Khan who presented various Qawalis and Ghazalsof late ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The audience enjoyed the event and appreciated initiatives ofthe Embassy for holding a captivating event.

4-6-17, Minami-Azabu Minato-ku Tokyo, 106-0047 – Tel: 035421-7741 & Fax: 03-54213610 – Email: pareptokyo@mofa.gov.pk - Website: www.pakistanembassytokyo.com

5Celebrations of Pakistan Independence

AMBASSADOR ATTENDS PAKISTAN INDEPENDENCE EVENT
Ambassador Asad M. Khan attended an event organized by Pakistan Association Japan tocommemorate the 70th Independence anniversary of Pakistan and 65th anniversary of PakistanJapan relations. In his address, the Ambassador highlighted the importance of long standing PakJapan relations which had grown strong over a period of 65 years.

He showed his delight and personal satisfaction to return to Japan after two decades and again
getting an opportunity to earnestly work for further strengthening the relations between the twocountries. The Ambassador expressed his desire to enhance bilateral ties to the mutual benefits ofboth the countries in fields like scientific technological transfer, infrastructural development andeducation exchange programmes etc.

4-6-17, Minami-Azabu Minato-ku Tokyo, 106-0047 – Tel: 035421-7741 & Fax: 03-54213610 – Email: pareptokyo@mofa.gov.pk - Website: www.pakistanembassytokyo.com

6Celebrations of Pakistan Independence

YOUM-E-AZADI (INDEPENDENCE) CUP
To celebrate the70th Anniversary ofIndependence
ofPakistan a friendly
cricketmatchorganized by the
PakistaniCommunityin
Japan was played
between the Japan
XIand
Ambassador’s XI at
SanoCricket
Ground. The match
namedastheYoum-e-Azadi(IndependenceCup) was won by
the Ambassador’s
XI convincingly by amargin of 20 runs.
Ambassador AsadM. Khan who wasthe Chief Guest ontheoccasion.
Members of thePakistani
Communityandsports
lovingpeople attended theevent. The Mayorof Sano City Mr.
MasahideOkabe
also graced theoccasion
andinaugurated
thematch.
The
Ambassador welcomed the enthusiasm anddedication of the Pakistani Community and all
players for organizing a wonderful event. At
the conclusion of the event, Chief Guest
Ambassador Khan distributed awards among
the participating players and presented theYoum-e-Azadi (Independence) Cup to thewinning captain.

The Ambassador joined the participants ofthe event to observe a minute of silence topay tribute to the victims and survivors of theworld’s first atomic bomb dropped onHiroshima on August 6, 1945.

4-6-17, Minami-Azabu Minato-ku Tokyo, 106-0047 – Tel: 035421-7741 & Fax: 03-54213610 – Email: pareptokyo@mofa.gov.pk - Website: www.pakistanembassytokyo.com

7AMBASSADOR’S MEETING WITH PRESIDENT JICA

Ambassador Asad M. Khan met with Mr.
Shinichi Kitaoka, President ofJapanInternational Cooperation Agency on 18th April
2017. Wide ranging discussions on matters ofmutual interest were held. The Ambassador
appreciated JICA’s long standing presence inPakistan and stated that JICA’s flagshipprojects like Indus Highway, Lowari Tunneland Kohat Tunnel are a testament of its
commitment as bilateral cooperation partner.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at thespectrum of JICA’s country programme and it
was agreed that lot of potential exists to further
enhance it. Ambassador Asad M Khan also referred to positive reviews on Pakistan byInternational Financial Institutions (IFIs) and expressed the hope that Japanese investors will also
make use of the investment opportunities in Pakistan.
*********************************AMBASSADOR CALLED ON CHAIRMAN/CEOJETRO MR. HIROYUKI ISHIGE
H.E. Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan metwith Mr. Hiroyuki Ishige, Chairman JETRO
on August 23, 2017 and discussed
investment relations between the twocountries.
The Ambassador commended the timehonored role of JETRO in supporting
bilateral trade and investment, which started
with opening office in Karachi in 1954-only
the fourth in the world.
The Ambassador said that JETRO and its
counter-parts in Pakistan can adopt
multipronged approach to promote bilateral
trade. Ambassador Asad M. Khan referred
to positive reviews of Pakistan byInternational Financial Institutions (IFIs) and
expressed the hope that Japanese businesswill make use of the investment
opportunities in Pakistan.
Chairman JETRO expressed the deep
commitment of JETRO to the promotion ofbilateral trade andinvestment.
Hehighlighted that 83 Japanese companies earn one of the highest profits in Pakistan.

4-6-17, Minami-Azabu Minato-ku Tokyo, 106-0047 – Tel: 035421-7741 & Fax: 03-54213610 – Email: pareptokyo@mofa.gov.pk - Website: www.pakistanembassytokyo.com

8AMBASSADOR’S PRESENTATION TO PAKISTAN JAPAN ASSOCIATION
Ambassador
Dr.
Asad M. Khan metwith the board ofPakistan
JapanAssociationandgave a presentationon the Economic
turnaround of thecountry that had
been recognized byInternational
Financial Institutions(IFIs) and Credit Ratings Agencies. He also briefed the participants on the marked improvement in
the security situation of Pakistan since 2014 and stated that of terror related incedents had dipped by80%. It was generally agreed that the investment policy framework of Pakistan was the most liberal inSouth Asia and presented substantial opportunities for Japanese business houses as well.

AMBASSADOR’S MEETING WITH CHAIRMAN & CEO OF JAPAN SECURITIESDEALERS ASSOCIATION

Ambassador
Dr.
Asad M. Khan met
with the Chairman
and CEO of Japan
Securities Dealers
Association (JSDA).
The Ambassador
feliciated Mr.Suzuki
on his appointment
as the Chairman ofthe JSDA. Mattersof mutual interest
turnaroundof
Pakistan’s economy and it’s recognition by Intatnational Financial Institutions (IFIs) and credit rating
agencies were discussed. Tracing the historical presence of Japanese business and manufacturing
houses in Pakistan, the Ambassador expressed satisfaction at the upward trajectory of relations.
While discussing the performance of Karachi Stock Exchange as Asia’s top performing Stock
Exchange in 2016, the Ambassador dilated upon the liberal investment regime of Pakistan. Chairman
Suzuki was of the view that given Pakistan’s improved security and economic situation, the potential
for cooperation has grown substantially and should be tapped by business communities of bothcountries.

Parepared by Press Wing, Embassy of Pakistan, Tokyo
4-6-17, Minami-Azabu Minato-ku Tokyo, 106-0047 – Tel: 035421-7741 & Fax: 03-54213610 – Email: pareptokyo@mofa.gov.pk - Website: www.pakistanembassytokyo.com

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