rehanahmed
3rd April 2005, 13:56
OSLO (Norway): The artifacts, stolen from Gilgit years ago, were handed over to Minister of State for Culture and Youth Affairs, Muhammad Ali Durrani on Friday during a ceremony held at Embassy of Pakistan in Oslo.
Martin Schoyen, a world-famous Norwegian art collector in Oslo, called on Minister of State for Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Muhammad Ali Durrani and delivered the priceless Buddhist artifacts which he had purchased years ago from the international antiquity market, but later found to have been illegally removed from Gilgit.
The Minister thanked Schoyen for his gracious gesture to return the manuscripts, which are part of Pakistan’s national heritage. Pakistani Ambassador to Oslo Shahbaz was also present on the occasion.
Durrani also thanked the government of Norway for their helpful role in resolving the matter, which had been raised by the Embassy in September last year.
Visits Parliament
Earlier, Durrani visited the Norwegian Parliament. He had a special meeting with the Parliament President Jorgen Kosmo.
Kosmo welcomed Durrani’s visit and hoped that his visit would further strengthen friendly ties between the two countries.
Durrani also called on Vice President of Norwegian Parliament and member of the Foreign Relations Committee Inger Lonning.
The Minister of State was informed about the structure and working of the Storting, the Norwegian Parliament.
The Minister apprised the Vice President on the process of democratisation in Pakistan and briefed his interlocutor on the normal functioning of both houses, the National Assembly and the Senate of Pakistan.
Durrani said that the three-fold increase in women representation in the National and Provincial Assemblies is a testimony of government’s resolve to involve women in the policy formulation process at all levels. The Vice President of the Storting told Durrani that he visited India and Pakistan recently.
Indo-Pak Ties
He expressed hope that Pakistan and India would resolve their long-standing differences amicably for the welfare of their peoples. The Minister of State stated that Pakistan has a sincere desire to reverse the course of confrontation in South Asia and hoped that the resumption of the composite dialogue would help in resolving all outstanding issues, including that of Jammu and Kashmir.
He stressed that the Kashmir dispute needs to be resolved through negotiations in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Commenting on the Baglihar Dam issue, the Minister of State informed his interlocutor that the Indian insistence to go on with the construction of Baglihar Dam is hurting the dialogue process.
Pakistan, after exhausting all bilateral efforts to resolve the matter, was constrained to invoke the Neutral Expert provision of the Indus Water Treaty. Durrani, however, said that he was optimistic that the ongoing dialogue process between Pakistan and India would not be affected by the intercession of the World Bank.
He said the desire of Pakistani government for peace is so strong that even then, Pakistan has initiated the Bus Service and it has also asked India to go ahead with the Gas pipeline project through Pakistan.
The minister emphasized that Pakistan’s nuclear capability is purely for its self-defence and constitutes a minimum credible deterrent that ensures our national security.
Later, a luncheon was hosted by Afghan Rafiq, the first Member of the Norwegian Parliament with a Pakistani origin, at the Parliament House.
The Minister of State held informal discussions with Ms. Catharine Bretzeg, Deputy Minister Local Government and Regional Development, Ms. Berit Oksnes Gjerlow, Deputy Minister of Culture and Church Affairs and Hans Olav Syversen, Deputy Minister of Children and Family Affairs.
The Minister of State attended a community reception in the evening hosted by Shahbaz, Ambassador of Pakistan to Norway.
In his speech, the Minister of State assured the audience that all possible efforts would be made to resolve the problems of the Pakistan community.●
http://pakistantimes.net/2005/04/02/top9.htm
Martin Schoyen, a world-famous Norwegian art collector in Oslo, called on Minister of State for Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Muhammad Ali Durrani and delivered the priceless Buddhist artifacts which he had purchased years ago from the international antiquity market, but later found to have been illegally removed from Gilgit.
The Minister thanked Schoyen for his gracious gesture to return the manuscripts, which are part of Pakistan’s national heritage. Pakistani Ambassador to Oslo Shahbaz was also present on the occasion.
Durrani also thanked the government of Norway for their helpful role in resolving the matter, which had been raised by the Embassy in September last year.
Visits Parliament
Earlier, Durrani visited the Norwegian Parliament. He had a special meeting with the Parliament President Jorgen Kosmo.
Kosmo welcomed Durrani’s visit and hoped that his visit would further strengthen friendly ties between the two countries.
Durrani also called on Vice President of Norwegian Parliament and member of the Foreign Relations Committee Inger Lonning.
The Minister of State was informed about the structure and working of the Storting, the Norwegian Parliament.
The Minister apprised the Vice President on the process of democratisation in Pakistan and briefed his interlocutor on the normal functioning of both houses, the National Assembly and the Senate of Pakistan.
Durrani said that the three-fold increase in women representation in the National and Provincial Assemblies is a testimony of government’s resolve to involve women in the policy formulation process at all levels. The Vice President of the Storting told Durrani that he visited India and Pakistan recently.
Indo-Pak Ties
He expressed hope that Pakistan and India would resolve their long-standing differences amicably for the welfare of their peoples. The Minister of State stated that Pakistan has a sincere desire to reverse the course of confrontation in South Asia and hoped that the resumption of the composite dialogue would help in resolving all outstanding issues, including that of Jammu and Kashmir.
He stressed that the Kashmir dispute needs to be resolved through negotiations in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Commenting on the Baglihar Dam issue, the Minister of State informed his interlocutor that the Indian insistence to go on with the construction of Baglihar Dam is hurting the dialogue process.
Pakistan, after exhausting all bilateral efforts to resolve the matter, was constrained to invoke the Neutral Expert provision of the Indus Water Treaty. Durrani, however, said that he was optimistic that the ongoing dialogue process between Pakistan and India would not be affected by the intercession of the World Bank.
He said the desire of Pakistani government for peace is so strong that even then, Pakistan has initiated the Bus Service and it has also asked India to go ahead with the Gas pipeline project through Pakistan.
The minister emphasized that Pakistan’s nuclear capability is purely for its self-defence and constitutes a minimum credible deterrent that ensures our national security.
Later, a luncheon was hosted by Afghan Rafiq, the first Member of the Norwegian Parliament with a Pakistani origin, at the Parliament House.
The Minister of State held informal discussions with Ms. Catharine Bretzeg, Deputy Minister Local Government and Regional Development, Ms. Berit Oksnes Gjerlow, Deputy Minister of Culture and Church Affairs and Hans Olav Syversen, Deputy Minister of Children and Family Affairs.
The Minister of State attended a community reception in the evening hosted by Shahbaz, Ambassador of Pakistan to Norway.
In his speech, the Minister of State assured the audience that all possible efforts would be made to resolve the problems of the Pakistan community.●
http://pakistantimes.net/2005/04/02/top9.htm