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Mr. President,
Madam Begum Sehba
Excellencies
Dear guests,

This is the first visit to Norway of a Pakistani President. It is a great privilege to wish you heartly welcome. There are many of us who have been looking forward to this visit for a number of reasons.

A very important reason was brought home to the whole of Norway in the evening news last night when we followed the atmosphere of the meeting between you and the more than thousand representatives of the flourishing Pakistani community in Norway. They had come to greet you and to listen to your message.

That meeting explained better than words why Norway and Pakistan have come closely together. Even if our countries are very different, the people of Pakistani origin who have come to live here have strengthened our relations. They have made Norway richer economically and more diverse and interesting culturally.

Today, the second generation of Pakistanis, those born in Norway and who are raised with our culture enter new fields of society, - business, law, politics and media. Many of them are among the best and the brightest.

Tonight we gather in appreciation of the strengthening relations between our two nations. We both agree that there is a great potential for further bilateral cooperation. Pakistan and Norway can strengthen people-to-people relationship, bilateral trade and investment, and ties between our public institutions.

Mr. President,

I hope you have already felt the deep concern with which Norwegians of any creed and background have reacted to the earthquake.

The earthquake struck such a chord of sympathy and dismay in Norway. Almost all of us know someone of Pakistani origin. It was immediately clear that we had to assist as best we could. Pakistanis in Norway stood up for fellows, friends, and family. There was a massive, spontaneous support.

Mr. President,

Poetry is held in great regard in Pakistan – and I believe we in Norway should appreciate more the skill and value of such painting with words.

One of the greatest urdu poets, Ghalib (utt. Khalip), who lived some 200 years ago, speaks to us on the confinements of a limiting worldview.

“How narrow the world is for the oppressed, - so narrow that the sky is no larger than the egg of an ant”.

The message is simple and direct: Oppression is limiting – freedom is enabling.

Freedom, tolerance and understanding are not qualities that can be achieved once and for all. They require constant nurturing and effort.

By respecting each other while allowing differences of tradition, outlook and opinion we are making the world bigger. And we are making it better. This applies in both in personal and international relations.

Allow me to express my respect for the efforts you are making in the fight against terrorism.

Today in our discussions you explained to me how you plan to contain the roots of extremism, not with military, but with political means, in a quest for enlightened moderation, with a strong focus on the education of new generations.

We support you and wish you every success in that endeavour. We, too, hope to see a Pakistan that is prosperous, and where people are safe and live in freedom.

Mr President,

When visiting Pakistan a month ago, I was treated to a toast. I have been given to understand that this is a somewhat rare occurrence at official banquets in Islamabad. It gives Ingrid and me great pleasure to be able to return the gesture to raise a toast to you, your wife, your Government and the people of Pakistan.

To your health.