Havana (TDI): The Embassy of Pakistan in Cuba hosted a reception at Hotel Naccional, Havana, to celebrate Pakistan National Day.
The event was attended by Betsy Díaz Velázquez, Cuba’s Minister for Domestic Trade, as the chief guest.
Elio Rodríguez Perdomo, Cuba’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended as the guest of honour.
The reception brought together around 200 attendees, including officials from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX), other ministries, local institutions, and members of the diplomatic corps.
The event commenced with the national anthems of Pakistan and Cuba, performed by Pakistani medical students currently studying in Cuba.
A short documentary showcasing the rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and development journey of Pakistan was screened and received with great appreciation by the guests.
The year 2025 marks a significant milestone in Pakistan-Cuba relations as both countries celebrate 70 years of diplomatic ties.
Ambassador of Pakistan, Shahbaz Malik, in his address, highlighted the depth of bilateral friendship and expressed heartfelt gratitude for Cuba’s generous assistance during the 2005 earthquake.
He paid tribute to the Cuban medical teams for their humanitarian support and remembered former President Fidel Castro’s valuable gesture of offering medical scholarships to Pakistani students during that time.
A special video compilation of messages from Pakistani doctors who graduated from Cuban medical institutions was also displayed.
These heartfelt messages acknowledged Cuba’s role in shaping their medical careers and extended thanks to the Cuban government and people.
The tribute was met with enthusiastic applause by the audience.
Cultural performances by Pakistani students, including traditional dances to Pakistani music, added vibrancy to the event.
A photographic exhibition showcased key moments of Pakistan-Cuba cooperation, historical visits, and Cuba’s medical assistance during the 2005 earthquake.
The evening concluded with the ceremonial cake-cutting ceremony by the Ambassador, the chief guest, and the Vice Minister.
Guests were treated with a variety of traditional Pakistani dishes and were presented with handmade souvenirs from Pakistan, leaving them with a taste of the country’s culture and hospitality.
Areeba Kanwal is a contributor at The Diplomatic Insight and has passion for International Relations and diplomacy.
