72nd anniversary of Lebanese Independence Day commemorated

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Lebanon Mrs. Mona El Tannir hosted a reception to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the Independence Day of her country on Thursday in Islamabad amid mixed sentiments as Lebanon’s capital experienced one of the bloodiest twin-suicide attacks just one week ago killing about 45 people and injuring 239.
Federal Minister (retd) Lieutenant General Abdul Qadir Baloch was the chief guest. The envoys of the Muslim countries turned up in the reception in a record number where the guests were served with delicious Arabic cuisines and Pakistani food.
The national anthems were played immediately upon arrival of the chief guest and cake cutting ceremony was performed by him. A magnificent portrait of Beirut city was placed in the backdrop of the central stage as a reminder that despite the terror activities, Lebanon and its cities are unaffected where life would continue as usual. Quite ironically, the guests were not interested in discussing the ongoing LB polls. They preferred the Paris attacks for chit-chat.
Some guests were cribbing that international media was highlighting the Paris attacks where 120 people perished but the same media didn’t give due attention to innocent students massacre in Peshawar in December last where about 150 students were killed mercilessly.
The guests were of the view that it was a demonstration of hypocrisy of the Western media which did not pay heed to the issues of the Muslim countries, especially situated in the east.
President Azad Kashmir Sardar Yaqoob Khan, MNA Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, eminent educationist Azhar Abidi and Aziz Bulani were among the prominent guests while PPP (SB) leader Ms. Ghunva Bhutto all the way came from Karachi to attend the reception.
Malaysian High Commissioner Dr Hasaral Sani Mujtabar who was on board ill-fated helicopter that crashed in Gilgit early August showed up for the first time in a diplomatic reception. He was critically injured in the accident while his spouse died in the crash. He was narrating the story of the crash and said that his wife died due to heat and fire while he broke open the glass window and in process fell down but lost his senses. He said that he would proceed to Malaysian for last medical checkup of his crash wounds.
Few guests in a corner were discussing the engagements of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif in the United States and they were making their own guess about the outcome of the sojourn.
Some guests offered condolence to Ambassador Mona Al Tannir for the blasts in Beirut and praised her courage in proceeding for the commemoration of the Independence Day.
The Western especially European diplomats were few in number. It appears they are reluctant in participating public functions such as diplomatic receptions in the wake of Paris attacks. It was ‘’speech-free’’ reception. The guests enjoyed Arabic music that was being played in background as it was melodious and rhythmic.