On Monday, 28 August 2023, Ambassador Azhar attended the 4th Meeting (year 2023-2024) of the Rotary Club of Islamabad Metropolitan as a Chief Guest at Marriott Hotel Islamabad. The meeting was chaired by President of the Club, Dr. Azra Yasmin.
In his address to the audience, Ambassador Azhar emphasized on Pakistan-Malaysia relationship. He commenced his discourse by sharing his personal journey and proceeded to provide insights into the diverse ethnic composition of Malaysia's population. He underscored the commonalities shared between Pakistan and Malaysia, encompassing cultural, religious, and friendly ties. He also highlighted Malaysia's perception of Pakistan as a vital trade partner. He recounted Malaysia's assistance to Pakistan during the previous year's floods and emphasized the genuine fondness Malaysians hold for Pakistanis, positioning Pakistan as an important strategic partner. The potential for significant trade between the two nations was emphasized, along with possibilities for educational exchange, vocational training, and manpower development.
Ambassador Azhar also highlighted Pakistan's potential as a lucrative tourism destination and praised the delectable nature of Pakistani mangoes. He acknowledged the esteemed reputation of the Pakistani diaspora, particularly doctors in the UK and US. Following his address, a dynamic question and answer session ensued. The engaged audience posed a series of intriguing and thought-provoking questions, all of which were adeptly addressed by the speaker.
Following the enlightening speech, Secretary Abdul Qadir Sultan expressed gratitude on behalf of the Club to the esteemed guest for his insightful words. He also proposed the exploration of collaborative avenues between Rotary and the Ambassador to further the collective mission of a better world. Dr. Azra and senior members of the Rotary Club then presented the guest with a bouquet, the club's flag, and a Rotary pin.
