20000112

Eid reception

at Pak Embassy

in Bishkek

ISLAMABAD: Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated by Pakistanis in Kyrgyz Republic traditional religious fervour and fanfare.

The Pakistani Embassy on the occasion held a Eid reception at Bishkek to mark the occasion. A large number of Pakistani community members and Kyrgyz nationals participated.

Kyrgyz Republic Finance Minister S Mederov and Deputy Ministry of Finance and Kyrgyz nationals were also present on the occasion.

The finance minister in his speech dwelt upon the development of bilateral relations between the two countries. "Our roots are identical in nature," he said.

The minister thanked the Government of Pakistan for extending US $10 million credit for the construction of a pharmaceutical factory at Bishkek.

In his inaugural speech, the Ambassador of Pakistan Habib-ur-Rehman highlighted the importance of the day. He appreciated the efforts of the community members for bringing good name to Pakistan in the Kyrgyz Republic.

He, specifically emphasised the students to devote themselves in their studies. It was imperative for us to work for the economic uplift of our country, he added.

The ambassador condemned the false propaganda of the Indian government regarding hijacking of the Indian aircraft.

Pakistan, he said, condemned all forms of terrorism in any part of the world. Hijacking was, particularly abhorrent to us, he added.

"We condemn terrorism unequivocally," he said and expressed the hope that occupied Kashmir and Chechnya problems would be solved in the new century.

The media people who were invited on the occasion gave wide coverage of the Eid reception. Local TV on the same evening telecast programme on the reception held at Pakistan House.ÑAPP