Honorable Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,

Deputy Commissioner of Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Secretary of Home and Youth Affairs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Finance Minister of Punjab Province of Pakistan,

Pakistan’s Consul General in Hong Kong,

Members of the Pakistani Community, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Evening and Dajia Hao,

It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you all to the National Day Reception of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, being held here in the dynamic and illustrious city of Hong Kong. Your presence this evening, representing a wide cross-section of society and officialdom, lends grace and meaning to our celebration. I wish to commend the Pakistan Consulate General in Hong Kong for the meticulous planning and flawless execution of this important event.

Although Pakistan’s National Day is formally observed on the 23rd of March, we are most pleased to mark the occasion with you today. The date may differ, but the spirit remains undiminished. It is a celebration of our nationhood, of our unwavering march towards progress, and of the enduring bonds of friendship with our partners and host communities.

I am especially delighted to celebrate this moment in Hong Kong, a city renowned for its vitality, international character, and its unique status as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder” under the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ framework. Since assuming my duties as Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, this marks my fourth visit to Hong Kong, a testament to the importance Pakistan attaches to deepening our engagement with the Special Administrative Region, within the broader context of our all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with the People’s Republic of China.

Much has already been stated by our Consul General regarding the longstanding and multi-dimensional relations between Pakistan and Hong Kong. I wish to take this opportunity to reaffirm Pakistan’s consistent and principled support to China on matters concerning its core interests,  including Hong Kong.

It also gives me great satisfaction to note the steady progress in the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), which aligns with our shared commitment to peaceful dispute resolution and multilateralism. Pakistan has been a strong supporter of this initiative from its inception. We look forward to participating at a senior level in the forthcoming Signing Ceremony later this month, further underscoring our engagement with and commitment to this important undertaking.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Coming back to the occasion being celebrated today, Pakistan’s National Day is a moment of deep pride and reflection. It commemorates the historic Lahore Resolution of 1940, which laid the foundation for the creation of Pakistan. It is a reminder of the vision, struggle, and unity that gave birth to our nation.

Today, Pakistan is a country of around 250 million, majority of which is young, with over 60 percent under the age of thirty. It is the fourth largest developing country in the world, and is charting a path toward economic revival, regional connectivity, and technological advancement, while staying true to the ideals of its founding vision.

With a youthful population, abundant natural resources, and strategic geography, the country stands at a unique crossroads of opportunity. As we deepen our integration into regional frameworks like the Belt and Road Initiative, our longstanding friendship with China continues to serve as a pillar of strength.

Pakistan-China friendship is a cornerstone of our foreign policy and a bond rooted in mutual trust, mutual respect, and unwavering convergence. Today, we also take this opportunity to highlight the special friendship between Pakistan and China, a relationship often described as "iron brothers" and "all-weather strategic cooperative partners." From Gwadar to Gilgit and beyond, our partnership continues to deliver progress and connectivity, and in an increasingly volatile regional and geopolitical milieu, it serves as a beacon of hope and an anchor of peace and stability.

Hong Kong plays a unique and vital role in this relationship. As a global financial center, it serves as a bridge between Pakistan and international markets. We see great promise in deepening Pakistan-Hong Kong cooperation in trade, investment, logistics, education, and culture. We reamain committed to building platforms that connect Pakistani exporters and professionals with Hong Kong’s dynamic business ecosystem.

To the Pakistani community in Hong Kong: I urge you to continue being ambassadors of goodwill and unity. Stay connected to your roots, support one another, and share the richness of our culture. Make use of the opportunity you have, respect the law of the land, and continue to contribute towards the fabric of Hong Kong. I am immensely pleased to take note of the contributions mentioned by the Consul General.

Let us move forward with confidence, guided by our values and aspirations. On this National Day, may we stand united in our love for Pakistan and our dedication to building stronger bonds with China, with Hong Kong, and with the international community.

I thank you all