Good morning, Selamalejkum,

I am very honored to be here with you. It is always a pleasure to speak to students because I know I am speaking to Pakistan’s future scholars, leaders and entrepreneurs. Meeting such enthusiastic dedicated young people who will accomplish great things make me feel very optimistic about this country’s future. And the potential I see in this room is as promising as the potential I see for Bosnia and Herzegovina – Pakistan friendship in the future.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Statehood Day is celebrated on November 25, commemorating the day that Bosnia’s statehood was restored by Anti-Fascist Council of National Liberation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 1943. On this day, the antifascist liberation movement passed the decision to restore the country’s statehood within its historic borders. Bosnia and Herzegovina once again confirmed its multicultural and multi-ethnic history and reaffirmed that its citizens would be entitled to equal rights. Today, we honor Bosnia Herzegovina’s statehood and its multi-ethnic and multi-confessional history and we celebrate the country’s vibrant culture and institutions.
The multifaceted relations between our two countries have witnessed a steady growth during last thirty years characterized by friendship , mutual respect and understanding. If you have a friend a far who knows your heart, distance can not keep you apart. Now 3000 miles can no longer keep Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan apart. Instead, the relationship serves as a bond or a bridge linking our two countries.
It is not coincidence that we chose this moment to screen the film “Quo vadis Aida?”, as we mark the Statehood day of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Quo Vadis, Aida? is a drama about a UN translator, Aida, in Srebrenica, a town in Bosnia, who tries to save her family from the Srebrenica genocide in July 1995, highlighting the failure of the UN peacekeepers and Aida’s desperate fight for survival. 
Aida’s drama and her emotions are the heart of the story. I would like you to take away the feelings and questions the film raises. How many things would have been different if we had more empathy and solidarity? Did this tragedy have to have such a terrible outcome?
Before ending my speech, I would like to express my gratitude to the Chief Editor of the International Magazine “Pakistan in the World” Mr. Tazeen Akhtar and Dr. Shehryar Khan, Associate Professor who make this event possible. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in strengthening the bilateral relationship between our two countries.
Thank you to the Iqra University for hosting us this afternoon.
Long live the friendship between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Pakistan or Bosnia Herzegovina ki dosti zandah bad.