Sada-e-Watan
Sydney
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Macquarie University
Students Engage in an interactive session with the Pakistani High Commissioner Zahid
Hafeez Chaudhri
On Monday, 22 April 2024, the High Commission
for Pakistan in Canberra hosted a group of students and faculty members from
the Macquarie University, Sydney. The group comprised graduate, postgraduate,
and PhD students from the faculties of law, arts and social sciences,
information technologies, international relations, media, and creative arts.
During their visit, the students engaged in an interactive session with High
Commissioner H.E. Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri.
The High Commissioner offered a comprehensive
overview of Pakistan's diverse socio-economic and political landscape, its
strategic significance, foreign policy objectives, and multifaceted diplomatic
relations. Highlighting the nation's rich demographics and promising economic
trajectory, the High Commissioner described Pakistan's pivotal role in the
regional and global affairs.
The brief overview was followed up by an
engaging question-and-answer session. The students eagerly sought insights on
various aspects of Pakistan's foreign policy, socio-economic development,
political landscape, its bilateral relations with Australia.
Highlighting its foreign policy objectives, the
High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri shared Pakistan’s desire for peace and
security in the region and beyond. He also underscored the importance of just
resolution of outstanding disputes for durable peace. Answering a question
about the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the High Commissioner, highlighted the
legal, human rights, and peace and security dimensions of the dispute. He
underscored the centrality of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions
guaranteeing the Kashmiri people their legitimate right to self-determination.
Discussing its economic potential, the High
Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri highlighted Pakistan’s rich natural
resources and human resources. He particularly mentioned Pakistan’s untapped
mineral resources, demographic dividend, startup ecosystem, and immense
potential of its Information Technology sector.
Addressing the question regarding
Pakistan-Australia diplomatic ties, the High Commissioner highlighted the
multifaceted nature of bilateral ties, emphasizing collaboration and mutual
benefit. He underscored the complementarity of the two economies, emphasizing
on the opportunities arising out of the synergetic nature of the two economies.
The visit provided an opportunity for the
students to explore Pakistan's diverse socio-economic and political landscape,
its strategic significance, foreign policy objectives, and multifaceted
diplomatic relations. Expressing his appreciation to the faculty for organizing
the visit, High Commissioner remarked, "It is heartening to witness such
enthusiastic engagement from the students of Macquarie
University. These interactions not only deepen mutual understanding but also
pave the way for enhanced collaboration."
The
visit was a part of the High Commission’s regular engagement with the
Australian educational institutions, think tanks, and media.
H.E. Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri speaking to
Students of Macquarie University Sydney
