Islamabad, 14 August 2022 (TDI): The Ambassador of Hungary to Pakistan, Béla Fazekas shared a special message on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the Foundation of Pakistan. Following is the text of the message;
Message from the Hungarian Ambassador
“Although our two countries have established diplomatic relations in 1965, the first resident Hungarian Ambassador presented his credentials in 1970. However, our Hungarian ancestors reached the territory of present-day Pakistan centuries ago.
Talking about significant anniversaries like the 75th Anniversary of the Foundation of Pakistan, I have to mention the name of a Hungarian orientalist Alexander Csoma de Kőrös, who reached Peshawar exactly 200 years ago in 1822 in search of the relatives of the Hungarians, which is the sole European nation that is originated from Asia.
Therefore, the people-to-people relations between the two countries have centuries-long history. The cultural life of 19th century Lahore can not be described without mentioning the Hungarian artists, academics, and orientalists whose intellectual contribution to the capital of Punjab turned the city into a culturally vibrant metropole.
These strong intellectual footprints are still there represented – inter alia – by the eleven paintings of the Hungarian painter August Schoefft, which are kept in the Sikh Gallery of Lahore Fort and portray the members of the ruling Sikh family from the 19th century.
Hungarians made a remarkable impact on the modern education system in this part of the subcontinent. Gottlieb William Leitner, who was born in Budapest in 1840 became the Principal of the Government College University in Lahore in 1864 and later he was the founder principal of the University of Punjab.
Building on these solid fundamentals Hungary has a significant presence in present Pakistan as well. The economic ties are defined by the Pakistani subsidiary of the Hungarian MOL energy giant, MOL Pakistan has been operating in the country for more than 20 years.
The company has invested approximately 2 billion USD in Pakistan’s energy industry so far and now provides circa 14% of the country’s energy need.
Through the Stipendium Hungaricum programme, Hungary provides higher education scholarships to Pakistani students, which is also a sign of the Hungarian efforts to build long-term relations with Pakistan.
The initiative offers each year 200 scholarships (125 BA, 50 MA, 25 Ph.D.) in different Hungarian higher educational institutes and thankfully to the programme there are currently about 1000 Pakistani students in Hungary.
Now our Embassy is working on setting up an Alumni network for the graduated students who have already come back to Pakistan.
As a result of the strengthening ties, more and more Hungarian companies are discovering Pakistan as a beneficial and safe country for their investments, and this process was also supported by the visit of the Hungarian Foreign Minister in April 2021.
The fruitful and forward-looking consultations with his partners contributed to setting up different bilateral expert bodies, and the Hungarian side sees further cooperation opportunities, especially in the field of water management and agriculture.
Through this pragmatic and scientific co-work, – for example between the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) –, the Hungarian and Pakistani experts can join their efforts to tackle the challenges of the climate change and global warming, which have a significant effect on both countries.
In the future, our countries can rely on our excellent political relations based on mutual respect to overcoming any obstacles caused by international and global challenges.”
Pakistan’s Diamond Jubilee
Pakistan is commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of the 75th Independence Day, today. The day holds extreme importance for Pakistani nationals. They celebrate 14th August with utmost enthusiasm and zeal.
The day began with a 21-gun salute at the provincial headquarters and a 31-gun salute at the federal capital. At dawn, special prayers were said at mosques for the nation’s peace, unity, and prosperity.
A ceremony to raise the national flag was the focal point of the festivities. Similarly, flag-raising ceremonies also took place across the nation at provincial, divisional, and district levels.
Likewise, the Pakistani missions across the world hosted flag hoisting ceremonies and wished Pakistan on its Day of Independence.
Also Read: British High Commissioner greets Pakistan on 75th Independence Day
Historical Overview
The countries of India and Pakistan were once conjoined and known as the Sub-Continent collectively. The Muslim majority region of the Sub-continent fought for their independence on the basis of the Two Nation Theory.
The Two Nation Theory explained the differences between the Hindus and Muslims. Also, it further explained how both religions living together as one nation were not possible.
Therefore, Pakistan emerged as a sovereign state on 14th August 1947, breaking away from British authority.
Apart from this, sixty million of the ninety-five million Muslims on the Indian subcontinent became Pakistani citizens at the time of its creation.
Subsequently, thirty-five million Muslims remained inside India making it the largest Muslim minority in a non-Muslim state.
Further, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founding Father of Pakistan was also the first Governer General of the nascent country. Whereas, Liaquat Ali Khan was chosen to serve as the state’s first Prime Minister.
