First annual dinner of Pakistan-Hungary Friendship Association held

Islamabad

The first annual dinner of the Pakistan-Hungary Friendship Association (PHFA) was held at the Islamabad Club and attended by members from both countries. After giving latecomers a grace period to arrive, the event began with speeches and acknowledgements after which dinner was served and a musical performance took place.

PHFA Secretary General Ahmed Sajeel thanked everyone for attending, with special thanks to the chief patron, Ambassador of Hungary Istavan Szabo and his wife Emilia. Giving a brief history of the association — which was in the doldrums but revived over a year ago — he said it was heartening to see the attendance and hoped members would continue their support. He then invited PHFA President Ahsan ul Haq to say a few words.

He too thanked the guests with special mention of the ambassador and especially his wife who was the motivating person behind the revival of the association. Elaborating that their aim was to promote friendship between the people of Hungary and Pakistan and improve bilateral relations, he concluded by hoping everyone would enjoy the evening.

Ambassador Szabo said he was happy to be present at the event and frankly admitted that when he was approached to revive the PHFA he was a little skeptical at first. “I am glad that the association has taken off to a good start – we have had some interactive events and I hope the trend will continue” he said. Adding that such associations are helpful in promoting bilateral relations, especially in trade and commerce, he thanked the guests for attending the event and hoped they would continue to support the association.

A vote of thanks was given by Adnan Aurangzeb – brief and to the point. He too appreciated the role of Emilia Szabo in reviving the association by encouraging participation and actively taking part in its activities. After this there was a cake cutting ceremony, ending the formal proceedings.

Dinner over entertainment was provided by Dr Taimur Khan on the Sarangi and Sarfaraz on table. Dr Taimur Khan is one of the few Sarangi players in the country and a leading disciple of Ustad Allah Rakha — the last great living Sarangi maestro of Pakistan. He was accompanied by well known ‘tabla nawaz’, Sarfaraz Anwar.

It was a pleasant get-together but it would have been nice if the few Hungarian nationals present at the event had been seated on different tables so guests got to know and interact with them. The ‘birds of a feather flock together’ paradigm was very evident as even the Pakistani guests separated into groups – except for the table where the patron and president were seated! It’s only when people interact with each other in a social milieu that true understanding and friendship are nurtured. Maybe next time!