Zubair Qureshi
Relations between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Pakistan are special alongside the enduring link of the permanent support that Pakistan gives to Bosnia & Herzegovina on its path to preserve freedom and democracy.
This was shared by Ambassador of Bosnia & Herzegovina Mr Emin Cohodarevic at a reception he gave for the friends, diplomats, media persons and members of civil society.
The event was in fact a two-fold affair: screening of a movie and observing the 32nd anniversary of the Independence Day of Bosnia & Herzegovina.
It was a pleasant departure from the usual ceremonies at some hotel’s big hall where one comes across formal gathering etc. Instead, the ambassador’s meticulous team had chosen the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) as venue for the national day reception as well as screening of the movie “Qou vadis, Aida?” or “Where are you going, Aida?”
Dean of the African Countries and Acing Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Moroccan ambassador, Mohamed Karmoune, Ambassador of Japan, Mr Wada Mitsuhiro, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Admiral (R) Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne, France Deputy Head of Mission, Guillaume Dabouis, officials from the MOFA and other government departments and members of civil society were among the guests.
About Pakistan-Bosnian relations, the Bosnian envoy said our relations have an out-of-ordinary dynamic and permanently develop and diversify. There is no single field, either political, defense, economic, cultural or social one, where we are not able to give positive examples and good practices.
While addressing the fellow ambassadors and diplomats, the ambassador said “I am so pleased you could join us this evening for this special screening of the film and to mark the 32nd anniversary of Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I am confident that the friendship between the people of the two countries and bilateral relations between the two governments will continue to flourish and achieve new heights,” he said.
About the movie, it reflects the helplessness of the UN agencies and the world powers before the impending attack and atrocities against the Bosnian civilians, children, women and the elderly people.
In the ambassador’s own words, the film is not only a cinematic masterpiece, but a painful reminder of the Srebrenica genocide, the worst atrocity on European soil since World War II.
Aida is a translator working for the UN peacekeeping force. Her dilemma and her emotions are the heart of the story. Towards the end of the screening, the Bosnian envoy said “How many things would have been different if we had more empathy and solidarity? Did this tragedy have to have such a terrible outcome?”
The ambassador expressed gratitude to the Pakistan National Council of the Art (PNCA), particularly its Director General Ayoub Jamali and his team for hosting the event and for making wonderful arrangements. He also thanked Mr. Danish Iqbal, Honorary Consul of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Lahore, Mr. Asad Saleem, Honorary Consul of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Peshawar and Mr. Khawaja Abdul Ghani Majid, Honorary Consul of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Karachi who so generously contributed to the success of tonight′s event.
