ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Italy on Tuesday reaffirmed their growing friendship and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors as a grand reception was held in the federal capital to celebrate Italy’s National Day. The event brought together senior Pakistani leaders, diplomats, government officials, and members of the diplomatic community.
The celebration served as a reflection of the strong and steadily strengthening relationship between Islamabad and Rome, highlighting the commitment of both countries to further deepen political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties.
Chief Guest and Ceremonies
Federal Minister for Energy Ali Pervaiz Malik attended the ceremony as the chief guest and joined Italy’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Marilina Armellin, in a traditional cake-cutting ceremony marking the occasion.
The celebration was attended by a distinguished gathering of Pakistan’s political and constitutional leadership, including Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani, Federal Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister Hanif Abbasi, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. Diplomats, parliamentarians, senior civil and military officials, business leaders, and representatives of civil society were also present.
Ambassador's Remarks
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Marilina Armellin highlighted the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Italy relations and emphasized the vast potential for expanding cooperation in emerging sectors, particularly energy, infrastructure, industrial development, agriculture, technology, and climate resilience.
The envoy, who leaves this month after the completion of her term, said Italy remains an important European partner for Pakistan and is home to one of the largest Pakistani communities in Europe.
Minister's Speech
In his speech, Federal Minister for Energy Ali Pervaiz Malik said the Pakistani diaspora has played a significant role in strengthening economic and cultural connections between the two countries while contributing positively to Italian society.
He said recent years have also seen enhanced collaboration in labour mobility, with both sides working to create new opportunities for skilled Pakistani workers. The minister noted that the labour mobility agreement signed between the two countries has opened avenues for thousands of Pakistanis to pursue employment opportunities in Italy, further strengthening people-to-people ties.
He added that diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Italy continue to expand through a broad framework of agreements and cooperation initiatives covering trade, investment, culture, tourism, science and technology, defence collaboration, and efforts to combat transnational crime.
