Press release

THE JAPANESE AMBASSADOR’S COMMENDATIONS FOR Mr. HAFEEZ-UR-REHMAN AND SYED MUHAMMAD MEHDI FOR THIER MERITORIOUS SERVICES

PRESS RELEASE N0: JPNEMPAK 15-06

Islamabad: 4 February 2015

On 4th February 2015, Ambassador Inomata conferred commendations to Mr. Hafeez-ur-Rehman Malik, Former Political Advisor to Governor of Punjub and Syed Muhammad Mehdi, Media Coordinator and Coordinator Foreign Affairs of PML-N in recognition of their contribution to strengthening Japan-Pakistan relations. The commendation award ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan with attendance of the selected gathering.

The Japanese Ambassador’s Commendation is awarded to an individual or a group to acknowledge its contribution to the promotion of friendship between Japan and Pakistan.

Mr. Hafeez-ur-Rehman Malik served the Lahore Branch of Pakistan People’s Party for a long time. Mr. Malik has been in close communication with our Embassy since 1985, and has made an effort to give our Embassy staff a lot of opportunities to cultivate friendship with many influential Pakistani people.

Syed Muhammad Mehdi has also been supportive for our Embassy staff to further develop the relationships with prominent Pakistani people as a member of PML-N since the mid-2000s. Particularly since his visit to Japan in 2011 on the invitation program of the Government of Japan, Mr. Mehdi has been keen on promoting Japan-Pakistan relations among the Pakistani political community.

Ambassador Inomata while speaking on the occasion highly appreciated their contribution, and stated that both Mr. Malik and Mr. Mehdi have played a primary bridge role between the two countries. (End)