By: Naveed Miraj, Shahid Qureshi
ISLAMABAD: The National Day of Hungary was celebrated with zeal and camaraderie in the Capital of Pakistan on Tuesday, reinforcing the strong diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Jawad Sohrab Malik, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis, spoke as the chief guest, underlining the excellent rapport between Pakistan and Hungary.
He expressed optimism that these relations would continue to flourish, particularly in the context of Pakistan’s GSP Plus status, and that trade and economic cooperation between the two countries would further strengthen.
Ambassador Fazekas drew attention to Hungary’s rich history, marked by its courageous struggle for independence in 1956. He recounted how a student protest in Budapest transformed into a national uprising against Communist dictatorship, although the joy of freedom was short-lived as it was quelled by Soviet military aggression. It took 33 years for Hungary to regain its independence.
Addressing the event, Hungary’s Ambassador Bela Fazekas lauded Pakistan for its support of the Hungarian revolution at the United Nations, highlighting the crucial role played by Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khan, then the President of the General Assembly in 1962, in securing the release of Hungarian freedom fighters.
Ambassador Fazekas also shed light on the deep-rooted cultural and intellectual exchanges between Hungary and the subcontinent. He shared the pivotal role Hungarian artists, professors, doctors, and orientalists played in enriching Lahore’s cultural and intellectual life during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Ambassador proudly pointed out Hungary’s “soft power” status, exemplified by the recent Nobel Prizes awarded to Hungarian scientists. Notably, a Hungarian professor’s groundbreaking work on mRNA molecules paved the way for COVID-19 vaccines, saving countless lives during the pandemic. Hungary, with a population of 10 million, has produced 19 Nobel Prize-winning scientists, a testament to the quality of its higher education.
Education Opportunities for Pakistani Students in Hungary
Hungary has also been extending educational opportunities to Pakistan through 400 state-sponsored scholarships for Pakistani students every year. Ambassador Fazekas underlined the importance of investing in knowledge and skills, suggesting that future Nobel Prize winners could emerge from Pakistani students studying in Hungarian universities.
Furthermore, Ambassador Fazekas emphasized the solid political foundation for multi-level cooperation between Pakistan and Hungary, highlighting a recent milestone in the form of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister’s first-ever visit to Hungary in February 2023. This visit invigorated various aspects of cooperation, leading to a doubling of trade in the last four years and an increasing number of joint ventures in water management and agriculture.
One prominent Hungarian company, MOL, has significantly invested in Pakistan’s oil and gas industry and stands as one of the largest foreign investors in the sector. MOL has also emerged as the second-largest producer of oil in Pakistan, signifying Hungary’s continued commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Pakistan.
