STAFF REPORT
ISLAMABAD: The Honorary Consul General of Ghana in Pakistan, Dr. Shahid Rasheed Butt, and Vice Consul Umar Shahid Butt hosted a dinner in honor of the Honorary Consul Generals of various countries at their residence. Additional Foreign Secretary for Africa and former Ambassador to Morocco, Hamid Asghar Khan, was the chief guest, while the Dean of Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Turkmenistan, Atta Jan, was the guest of honor.
Among the attendees were the Ambassador of Jordan, Dr. Maen Khreasat; Ambassador of Nepal, Tapas Adhikari; Honorary Consul General of Lithuania, Masood Khan; Honorary Consul General of Iceland, Saad Mehmood; Honorary Consul General of Finland, Asad Ansari; Honorary Consul General of Mexico, Faisal Munir; Honorary Consul General of Turkey and former Federal Minister, Salim Saifullah; Honorary Consul General of the Czech Republic for KPK, Asad Saifullah; Honorary Consul General of Tunisia, Imad Rasheed; and Bosnia’s Consul General for KPK, Asad Salim. Also present were former ambassadors Ghalib Iqbal, Ali Sarwar Naqvi, Khalid Masood, and Khalid Mehmood, alongside the Deputy Heads of Mission from Japan, Finland, and the Netherlands.
The event provided a platform for discussions on the role of Honorary Consuls in diplomacy, particularly in fostering connectivity and exploring new markets for trade and investment. Participants emphasized the economic aspect of diplomacy, urging that increasing trade should be a priority for Honorary Consul Generals.
Additional Foreign Secretary Hamid Asghar Khan highlighted Pakistan’s initiatives in economic diplomacy with Africa and the importance of collaboration between the diplomatic community and Honorary Consuls in Pakistan. He explained that in today’s complex global landscape, Pakistan is appointing Honorary Consuls abroad under a strategic policy to extend the reach of its diplomatic missions. He further stressed the significance of Africa, a continent with 1.5 billion people, many of whom are young and in need of goods and services that Pakistan can offer. Currently, Pakistan’s trade with Africa stands at $5.2 billion, a figure that requires expansion.
Atta Jan, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Turkmenistan, praised Pakistan’s vast potential for development, emphasizing the vital role Honorary Consuls play in fostering diplomatic and economic relations. He reiterated that Honorary Consuls are key to strengthening ties between Pakistan and other nations.
Salim Saifullah, Honorary Consul General of Turkey, remarked that Honorary Consul Generals should be regarded as valuable assets and useful tools for the government in promoting bilateral relations.
During a broader discussion, it was revealed that there are currently 145 Honorary Consul Generals in Pakistan. Host Umar Shahid Butt expressed that Honorary Consul Generals play a pivotal role in enhancing bilateral ties, with their primary mission being the promotion of economic and trade relations between their home countries and Pakistan. A well-organized Honorary Consular Corps, he added, would strengthen connections with both the government and the business community.
Masood Khan, the Honorary Consul General of Lithuania, shared insights about Lithuania’s robust 55 billion euro economy, noting its leadership in nanotechnology, laser technology, and biotechnology. He described Lithuania as a knowledge-based economy with significant investment opportunities.
Former Ambassador Ghalib Iqbal emphasized the need for a strong commitment to making the Honorary Consular Forum a vibrant and functioning body. He suggested appointing a representative to act as a liaison between the Foreign Office and the Honorary Consul Generals.
