Lithuania’s 100th independence anniversary observed

ISLAMABAD: The guests at 100th anniversary of the restoration of independence of Lithuania, hosted by its honourary Consul General Masud M Khan on Thursday evening at his residence on Ataturk Road here turned up to be hub of discussion regarding political situation prevailing and related developments in the host country.

The burning topic and question was about general elections in the country. Will the exercise of franchise take place and what would be its timing or something else is in offing? The diplomats and even most of the local guests wanted to know about the new Chairman of Senate curriculum vitae and asked for comparison between him and former Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani.

The guests enjoyed sumptuous dinner thoroughly in a pleasant ambiance. They were perturbed about the unstable political situation in Pakistan which is encircled by the adversaries and perhaps China is the only neighbour that is comfortable about its borders with Pakistan. The change in US Secretary of State and introduction of hardliner CIA chief who earlier served as General in the US Army was termed as an alarming development for the Muslim world and especially for Pakistan.

Some diplomats who had recently met Quaid of ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif were speaking high of their discussion with the former Prime Minister of Pakistan. Federal Minister for Human Rights Chaudhary Mumtaz Ahmad Tarrar was the chief guest who performed the cake cutting ceremony. State Minister for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal was also among the conspicuous guests.

Lithuania is the southernmost of Europe’s Baltic States, a former Soviet bloc nation bordering Poland, Latvia and Belarus. Its capital, Vilnius, near Belarus' border, is known for its medieval Old Town. It also has Gothic, Renaissance and baroque architecture, and 18th-century cathedral built on a pagan temple site.

Masud Khan later told the media that Pakistan and Lithuania are enhancing their trade and economic ties while the two counties are also keen to improve their people to people relations further.