image0013By Our Reporter On occasion of the 70th Independence Day of Pakistan, the Embassy of Pakistan, and Pakistan–Nepal Friendship and Cultural Association organized a reception/talk programme on 14 August. Vice President and chief guest of the function Nanda Bahadur Pun said that Pakistan has been a true friend of Nepal. He mentioned that Pakistan’s instantaneous humanitarian support to Nepal during the devastating earthquake last year is an illustrious example for friendship. The programme was well attended by eminent politicians, Chief of Nepal Army, Nepalese intelligentsia, journalists and diplomatic corps in Kathmandu. Prominent speakers included representatives of main stream political parties; Pumpha Bhusal of the Maoist Centre, Bharat Mohan Adhikari of the CPN-UML, CP Minali of CPN-ML, Dhamendra Bastola of CPN-M, Himalya Shamshar Rana, President Nepal-Pakistan Friendship and Cultural Association and Mazhar Javed, Ambassador of Pakistan. Speakers amply highlighted that Nepal–Pakistan relations are based on mutual trust and respect for each other and these are the strongest foundations that any two countries can have in their bilateral relationship. Pampha Bhusal, spokesperson of ruling CPN-Maoist Centre said that Pakistan’s gains in the field of science and technology were worth emulating. She also conveyed a message of felicitations on behalf of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dhal. Ambassador Mazhar Javed, noted that Nepal as very important nation for Pakistan to boost regional development and interdependency. He said thatthough we do not directly share borders with Nepal but we have strong sentimental bonds. The two nations should come together for regional peace and prosperity. Quoting Pakistan’s Quaid-e- Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s adage, our objective should be peace within and peace without.Nepal-Pakistan relations have been marked by mutual confidence, non-interference, trust, regional development and sustainable development.He also said that Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has dedicated this Independence Day to the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir who are bravely facing state oppression to keep the spirit of freedom alive.