National Day Message by H. E. Mr. Modasar Rashid Chaudhry, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Bulgaria

23 March has a special significance for Pakistan. It is the National Day. It is also known as "Pakistan Day". This day reminds us that on this day in 1940, in Lahore, then British India, our forefather under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam (Great Leader) Muhammad Ali Jinnah, resolved to intensify their efforts to gain independence and live independently in a place where the Muslims of South Asia could live according to their own culture and religious principles, in "Lahore Resolution" which was mocked by detractors of the idea of Pakistan as "Pakistan Resolution". History is witness that from that day onward, Pakistan was eventually achieved on 14 August 1947. 

Due to the significance of this day, this date was again chosen as the day on which Pakistan’s first constitution was enacted in 1956 when Pakistan became a Republic headed by a President in place of a Governor General representing the Crown of United Kingdom of Great Britain.

On the eve of independence of Pakistan, the founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah said, "You are free; you are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed - that has nothing to do with the business of the state."

Today, Pakistan is a multicultural and multiethnic country which is world’s fifth largest with approximately 240 million people with an area of 800,000 square kilometers. Pakistani flag comprises green color spanning over 3 quarters which represents majority of Muslims and 1 quarter is white color which represents the Non-Muslim population of the country.

In Pakistan there are thirteen different languages spoken. Islam is the largest religion however there are sizeable number of Christians, Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists living in Pakistan. There are numerous holy sites related to these religions in Pakistan and every year thousands of pilgrims from Pakistan and abroad visit these sites. 

Besides, the people of Kailash, in the North, have their own religion and culture which is said to be linked to the European nations from Balkan region when they accompanied Alexander of Macedon to this region.

Interestingly, the Roma and Gypsy people in Balkan countries and in Bulgaria also came from the Punjab and Sindh region many centuries ago, which are predominantly in Pakistan.

Quaid-e-Azam Muhmmad Ali Jinnah had also laid foundation for diplomatic relations of Pakistan. On 15 August 1947, he said, "Our objective should be peace within and peace without. We want to live peacefully and maintain cordial and friendly relations with our immediate neighbours and with (the) world at large. We have no aggressive designs against any one."

Pakistan and Bulgaria enjoy friendly and cordial relations. It is a matter of great joy that these relations are devoid of any irritant. The bilateral relations were established on 15 June 1965. Bulgaria opened its Embassy in Islamabad in 1968 and Pakistan’s first resident ambassador was appointed in 1971.

So far, 38 instruments for cooperation have been signed between the two sides and a few more are in the pipeline.

In April 2023, 5^th round of bilateral political consultation between the two sides were held in Sofia. Defence Minister Georgi Panayotov visited Islamabad in 2021. In 2019, the 2^nd Inter Governmental Commission was held in Islamabad and the next one will be held in Sofia.

A delegation of Pakistani parliamentarians from Parliamentary Friendship Group for Bulgaria had visited Bulgaria in 2019. In 2022, a high level delegation comprising different organizations in Pakistan, visited Bulgaria to discuss defence cooperation. In 2023, a Parliamentary Friendship Group for Pakistan was also constituted in Bulgarian Parliament.    

In November 2023, Bulgarian Foreign Office availed training facility offered by Foreign Service Academy, Islamabad under the flag of "Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme". In 2022, a delegation from National Defence University, Islamabad visited different institutions in Bulgaria with a view to exchanging ideas and learning best practices in Bulgaria.

In 2023, the two sides have signed memorandum of maritime cooperation and another one in the field of literature between Pakistan Academy of Letters and Union of Bulgarian Writers. 

The volume of bilateral trade is approximately 130 million USD. Pakistani Exports were 50 million USD which included textile related products, artificial fibers and tobacco. Bulgarian Exports were 80 million USD mainly cereals and grains. The Chambers of the two countries have signed different instruments of cooperation. The Mission in recent past held Mango festival in collaboration with Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with a view to introducing the sweet Pakistani mangoes to the public and fresh produce importers of Bulgaria. In 2023, Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry held online seminar to explore business opportunities. In 2021, Embassy of Pakistan, Sofia in collaboration with BCCI, Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan organized online Pakistan Bulgaria Business Forum in which 100 companies from both sides participated. In 2022, Pakistan Embassy Sofia has inaugurated a display center to showcase Pakistani products.

There is a little Pakistani community in Sofia. Most of them are working in IT sector and some are in managerial or executive positions. There are a number of Pakistani students in Bulgarian universities.  

In near future, the Mission is planning to hold another Mango festival and a painting exhibition this year as well as holding the next session of bilateral political consultation and 3^rd Inter Governmental Commission. In 2025, we shall be commemorating 65 years of establishment of diplomatic relations and there are number of activates being planned to celebrate this milestone in a befitting manner.  

The photos are provided by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Bulgaria. Above: H. E. Mr. Modasar Rashid Chaudhry, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Bulgaria