New US envoy present credentials to Zardari

Ambassador designate of the United States of America, Richard Olson, called on President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday at the Governor House and presented his credential as ambassador to Pakistan. Other Ambassadors (designate) of Hungary, Jordan, Belgium, Uzbekistan, Oman and the High Commissioner (designate) of Canada also called on President Zardari and presented their credential at a special ceremony held at the Governor House, Karachi. According to officials, they called on separately on the president and discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest.The president, while felicitating the newly-appointed ambassadors, expressed the hope that they will work for furthercementing the existing ties of their respective countries with Pakistan. Those who called the President were Mr. Istvan SZABO, Ambassador designate of Hungry, Maj Gen (Retd) Nawaf Khalifeh Ibrahim Saraireh, Ambassador designate of Jordan, Mr. Peter L.J.F. CLAES, Ambassador designate of Belgium, Mr. Parvez Aliev, Ambassador designate of Uzbekistan, Mr. Greg Giokas, High Commissioner designate of Canada and Mr. Riyadh Ahmad Yousif Al-Raisi, Ambassador designate of Oman. All the designated ambassadors and high commissioner were come with full protocol and at the Governor House. National anthems of Pakistan and their respective countries were played and the envoys were presented Guard of Honour by a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army. Sources said all the diplomats were arrived in city on Tuesday night in a special plane and it was the first big ceremony held at Governor House where the ambassadors and high commissioner were present their credential to the President of Pakistan. The United States Ambassador were arrived in Pakistan on Saturday and he was waited the President Zardari in Islamabad to present his credential. The program was shifted to Karachi from Islamabad as the President Zardari arrived in city on Eid day and he is busy in official engagements in Sindh. Meanwhile, the President Asif Ali Zardari expressed concern over the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy. Expressing grief over the loss of lives and huge destruction caused to the property, the President expressed his sympathies with the affected people and has wished early rehabilitation of the affectees. The President was expressed his concern in a meeting with Sherry Rehman, Pakistan’s Ambassador to United States, who called on him at Bilawal House.The President especially inquired about the well being of the Pakistani community present in the affected areas and advised the ambassador to provide all possible help to the affected people.