Zubair Qureshi
Ambassador of Portugal Manuel FredericoPinheiro da Silva at a reception marking the 885 years of his country’s existence (since 1139) announced his country’s strong condemnation of Israel’s assault in Rafah saying, “Portugal strongly condemns the ongoing Israeli offensive in Rafah and is gravely concerned with the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
The reception was a well-attended affair as a large number of the European, Arab and Asian diplomats were attending the event along with their Pakistani friends such as members of the Parliament, representatives from the armed forces and MOFA, members of civil society, media and business community, etc.
A cake was also cut on the occasion with national anthems of the two countries playing in the background.
Federal Minister for Housing & Works RiazHussainPirzada was the Chief Guest on the occasion while Director General (DG) ISPR, Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry was the Guest of Honour on the occasion. Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Mohammad AyazSadiq and Senator Sherry Rehman were also among the notable figures that attended the reception.
The audience received Ambassador Frederico Da Silva’s words with huge applause as Portugal is the latest in the list of the European nations after Spain, Norway and Ireland in publicly expressing his country’s disapproval of Israel’s excesses.
“We also maintain our longstanding position of respect for the jurisdiction, independence and impartiality of the International Criminal Court,” the ambassador further said adding Portugal considers the recognition of the Palestinian State as an important step, with the underlying concern of choosing the best timing and context, to maximize its effect and send a positive political message to both parties.
We are also very supportive of the vital role played by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) having not only maintained but reinforced our financial contributions to its activities, said the ambassador.
About the bilateral relations between Portugal and Pakistan, he said they are long and well established, friendly and based on trust and cooperation.
“Since my arrival to Pakistan in February last year, I have been able to travel extensively inside this big and fascinating country, visiting, among other places, Lahore and Karachi, Faisalabad and Peshawar, Nowshera and Abbottabad, Murrey and Taxila, Chilas and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) said the envoy. The ambassador ended his speech expressing gratitude to the sponsors of the event including MGA, The City School, Ensmile, Gerry’s Visa, MAKSOONS and lse ventures, for their invaluable support and hoping that that the European Football Cup for National Teams, soon starting, will allow Cristiano Ronaldo (great Portuguese star in the world of football) and his team companions to continue celebrating Portugal Day, all along this month of June.
