Pakistan embassy: Votes are vital

Pakistan embassy: Votes are vital Nissar Hoath / 11 May 2013 The Embassy of Pakistan on Thursday evening asked 1.2 million community members in the UAE to call their friends and relatives back home and urge them to fully take part in the landmark elections today. “Pakistan is a resilient country. Despite attacks on major political parties, the Pakistani nation is not deterred and transition of democracy is taking place. All this indicates upward trajectory of democratic dispensation in Pakistan and its political system,” Pakistan ambassador to the UAE Jamil Ahmed Khan said after inaugurating a painting exhibition at Abu Dhabi National Theatre. Khan said it was very heartening that a democratic government completed its full term and the country is undergoing transition of democratic process for the first time in its history. He said that democracy is an evolutionary process and the democratic political system of Pakistan will be strengthened with the elections. The ambassador further added that it took many decades for France and many other European countries to consolidate their democratic system and Pakistan was no exception. Speaking about the importance of the elections, Khan said: “I urge 1.2 million Pakistanis living in the UAE to call their friends and family members to come out on May 11 and exercise their right to vote.” He further dilated upon the point that if only seven friends and family members of each Pakistani, living in the UAE, cast their vote it would mean over eight million extra votes that would attribute to strengthening the democratic system. About the exhibition titled ‘Beautiful Pakistan’, the ambassador said the paintings of renowned Pakistani artist Shahina Ajmal reflected the natural beauty of Pakistan. She has put on display over 30 impressionistic paintings depicting images from across Pakistan. The exhibition was organised under the patronage of Shaikha Alyazia bint Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and the theme of the exhibition was ‘Art for Humanity’ as all proceedings of the exhibition would go to Pakistan Community Welfare School, Mussafah. A large number of very prominent members of the Pakistani community attended the inauguration ceremony. Khan applauded the effort of Ajmal, who is a gold medallist in Fine Arts and has also been recognised by the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and National Gallery of Art, USA. “Pakistan abounds in natural beauty. The ‘Beautiful Pakistan’ painting exhibition represents beautiful cultures of Pakistan and the UAE. The artist has depicted the serene green fields, misty mountains, snow capped peaks, beautiful lakes, mustard fields, mighty mountain ranges and traditional village culture of Pakistan using striking colour combinations”, said the ambassador. Khan also appreciated the passion of the Pakistani community for their efforts towards welfare and charity work. nissar@khaleejtimes.com Taylor Scott International