Abdullah Asjad
ISLAMABAD:-President, Pak-Swiss Friendship Forum (PSFF), Raja Hafeez Ahmed said that PSFF basic aim was to uplift the positive image of the country Switzerland particularly in whole Europe, which was defused by international media after 9/11 incident despite of this Pakistan had no link with said incident.
While talking to this scribe during an exclusive sitting on other day he hoped that he would people of both countries close to understand each other through cultural and sports activities in Switzerland. “We are organizing our social, cultural and sports activities regularly. We also celebrate our national day with enthusiasm especially Independent day on August 14, Defense Day on September 6 and Pakistan Day on March 23 each year, as the cricket match always part of independent day August 14. We organize a match in which Pakistani people participate in large number to enjoy the game. We invite Pakistani community and also Swiss People to attend our traditional events and they could understand our norms, traditions and cultural, “he viewed.
“Our basis aim is to enhance people-to-people contact. We invite people of both communities in all types of cultural and sports activities. We have established a Geneva Eleven Stars cricket club that participates in all the events. Under the banner of this club we support blind, disable persons, helpless women and street children of Pakistani community, “he said.
To a question Raja Hafeez said that there were 22 registered cricket clubs in Switzerland and Pakistani, Indian and Afghanistan play cricket from different clubs. “Our club had won the League Championship in 2012 and we had given fair play award too.
“We also stage other social activities including Musharia, Naat competitions. Our club also manages to tell the Muslims history to our youth and about our historical tourist places that are attractive for the local people of Switzerland. “ACV’s Chief Organizer Malik Naseer, Director Tourism Malik Mahroof and Director Development Sports Raja Saeed are doing also splendid job for our Forum, “he replied a question.
Responding to another question, Raja said, “PSFF invites Pakistani diplomats in the ceremony, as the last time Pakistani ambassador Naseem Ahmed Warach had graced our ceremony as chief guest. Pakistani officials also support us because our basic aim to highlight the soft image of the country among the Swiss people, “he concluded.
