Staff Report

SWAT: Five ambassadors from Central Asian Republics visited Swat and attended a luncheon hosted by National Commissioner for Boys Scouts Association, Sardar Waqar Shahzad Advocate, at his residence at Kanju.

The Ambassadors included the Dean of diplomatic corps, Ali Alizada, Ambassador of Azerbaijan. Yerzhan Kistadin Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Erik Beishembiev Ambassador of Kyrgyz Republic, Ismatolu Naseruddin Ambassador of Tajikistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Waqar said that it was a great honour for him to host such a distinguished group, representatives of the many governments from many parts of  the world with which Pakistan has strong ties, including in the area of development cooperation. Today I am indeed honoured and privileged to receive you here at my home .

On behalf of the loving & hospitable people of Swat , I welcome Your Excellencies .

Swat was described as Udyana (the garden) in ancient Hindu epics. Alexander the Great crossed the Swat River with part of his army in 327BC. He fought and won some of his major battles at Barikot and Udegram and stormed their battlements, before crossing over the plains of the five rivers. In Greek accounts these towns have been identified as Ora and Bazira. We are one the most peaceful, religious, peace loving and hospitable people who spread nothing but love.

I therefore look forward to working closely with you and your governments in addressing both challenges and opportunities in the future for the people of Pakistan and people in general of Swat specifically.

Thank you for your presence and honoring me and my family to provide us an opportunity to have you here, Shahzad added.