Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendations 2019 conferred upon President PJCA Lahore

                                                                                                                                                                                                   
The Government of Japan has conferred Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendations 2019 upon Dr. Ghazala Irfan, President of the Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association (PJCA) Lahore, in recognition of her significant contributions towards the promotion of cultural relations between Japan and Pakistan.
 
On July 16 this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan had announced to award the Japanese FM’s Commendations 2019 to Dr. Ghazala Irfan in individual category whereas MEXT Alumni Association of Pakistan (MAAP), an association of Pakistani alumni’s of Japanese universities, was selected for this commendation in an organizational category in recognition of their significant contributions towards the promotion of cultural and educational relations between Japan and Pakistan. Every year, the Foreign Minister’s Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in international fields, to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries and areas.
 
The Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Kuninori Matsuda, on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, presented the commendations to Dr. Ghazala Irfan at a conferral ceremony held at the Pearl Continental hotel Lahore on Thursday 19^th September, 2019.
 
Ambassador Matsuda, while speaking at the conferral ceremony, extended his deepest congratulations to Dr. Ghazala upon receiving this prestigious award. The Ambassador stated that this year’s Foreign Minister’s Commendations is the very first one in the new imperial era “Reiwa” which began in Japan on May 1^st this year, when His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito, succeeded the Imperial Throne.
 
The Ambassador stressed that people-to-people exchange is one of the most important pillars which are sustaining the friendly relationship between Japan and Pakistan.
 
The Ambassador said that 2022 will be celebrated as the year of 70^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan and hoped for the active participation of PJCA in arranging numerous cultural activities in Lahore, the cultural hub of Pakistan.   
 
While paying rich tributes to Dr. Ghazala, Ambassador Matsuda said that she being the President of the association has worked selflessly and with full dedication to promote Japan-Pakistan cultural relations and the Government of Japan greatly values her services in this regard. The association has played an essential role and it has acted as a bridge of friendship and goodwill between the two countries. Dr. Ghazala’s late father Mr. Hayat Ahmed Khan, who was the President of PJCA Lahore was conferred this same award in 2004 for his significant contributions towards promoting Japan-Pakistan cultural relations, added the Ambassador.