Pakistan believes in peaceful neighbourhood: president

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi says Pakistan is on the threshold of change after successfully addressing the challenge of terrorism.

Addressing a colourful Nowruz festival, arranged by nine diplomatic missions in Islamabad on Sunday, the president said Pakistan learnt a lot while dealing with the menace of terrorism and the world could benefit from its experience.

President Alvi wished ‘Happy Nowruz’ to the participants attending the cross-cultural event that marked cultural performances of all the participating countries including Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran and Turkey.

President Alvi urged people to establish their persistent connection with the nature to tackle the challenges of global warming, else the autumn would take on them. He said the nature showed all of its splendours but the humans ignored and took it for granted.

All the countries had set up their stalls exhibiting their cultural artefacts, cuisine and dresses, where the attendants wore their colourful cultural dresses and served the guests with their traditional dishes.

The participants were specially served with ‘smanak’, a traditional sweet dish made purely from germinated wheat, milk and water and specially prepared for Nowruz festival. Dr Arif Alvi, who also cut the celebratory cake to formally launch the festival and visited all the stalls, said the festival showed flowers and the children who exhibited their varying cultures through their performances and gave the message of hope.

He said the Nowruz was a beauty which replenished and rejuvenated the people but asked why the man separated himself from the nature. He said the Central Asian states gave a message of peace and said a bright future awaited the Central Asia. He said Pakistan had also thrown away the chains of terrorism and extremism and had embarked upon a journey of development.

He said the neighbouring and other friendly countries were also looking for peace in the region. He said during its war against terrorism, what Pakistan had learnt was important. He reiterated his call for efforts against Islamophobia and xenophobia.

In his address, Dean of Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Turkmenistan Atajan Movlamov said Nowruz had been enlisted among the Unesco’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. He said the festival was celebrated by over 300 million people across the world which brought people together to give a message of peace and love.

UN Resident Coordinator Neil Buhne read out the message from the UN Secretary General who said the festival promoted a spirit of friendship and harmony. He wished that the festival to become an inspiration for all.

CEO Serena Hotel Aziz Bolani said this was a unique occasion when all the participating countries were in festive mood. He said Serena Hotel always took lead in community initiatives including art and sports.