PM to address US National Day reception on Wednesday

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be guest of honour in the National Day/Independence Day of the United States grand reception on June 4 (Wednesday).

He has been invited for the occasion by US Charg’d Affaires Ms Natalie A Baker, who is hosting her first National Day reception in her incumbent capacity in Islamabad.

The diplomatic sources told The News here Friday that Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and other service chiefs have also been invited for the reception.

The prime minister is likely to address the guests in the reception and he would avail himself of the opportunity to pay gratitude to the US President, Donald Trump for his remarkable role during the recent Indian aggression against Pakistan and highlighted Kashmir issue.

The June 4 reception is being arranged in the US embassy compound of the diplomatic enclave amid strict security arrangements, the sources said.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, governors and chief ministers of all four provinces have also been invited for the day’s reception. The US National Day/Independence Day is observed on July 4 but it is being celebrated a month ahead since July 4 is coming in the Holy month of Muharram this year when holding of reception wouldn’t be appropriate.