75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND EGYPT. AUGUST 21, 2024 (2024-8)

 

Pakistan and Egypt have close fraternal relations, which are characterized by common bonds of faith, cultural affinities, and values between the people of two countries. Egypt was among the first countries to recognize Pakistan and the two countries exchanged resident Ambassadors in 1948. The relations between the two countries have strengthened more and more. Pakistan and Egypt have bilateral relations in the political, economic, trade, investment, education, cultural and defence fields. The two brotherly countries are celebrating 75th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations.

2. Pakistan and Egypt are the promising developing economies with thriving young population. Both countries have economic and infrastructure development as the central agenda moving forward. They continue to highlight Islamic traditions and crafts in their modern infrastructure.

3. Islamabad is the new national capital of Pakistan, that was built in 1960s to replace Karachi as a capital. It is located on Pothohar Plateau of the northern Punjab region. As per the latest census in 2023, Islamabad Capital Territory has a population of 2.36 million. Islamabad is a lush green city with healthy climate. It is a modern and carefully planned city with wide roads and avenues, elegant public buildings and well-organized markets, and shopping centres. The metropolitan area of the city is divided into eight basic zones: Administrative, diplomatic enclave, residential areas, educational sectors, industrial sectors, commercial areas, and rural and green areas. Islamabad is a symbol of modern state representing vibrant and progressing nation of Pakistan.

4. Located on the foothills of Margalla hills, Islamabad has a scenic mosque in its centre with the name of Faisal Mosque. The mosque was built in the name of Saudi King Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz. Sprawling on 33 acres, it is now the sixth largest mosque in the world. The construction started in 1976 and the mosque was completed in 1986. Faisal Mosque was designed by Turkish Architect, Mr. Vedat Dalokay. It has unique and unconventional architecture. The main 8-sided hall of the mosque was designed in a way that it looks like a Bedouin desert tent. It has four minarets. It has the capacity to host 300,000 people for prayers.

5. To fulfil the increasing administrative needs and to accommodate the rising population of Cairo city, the Egyptian government has undertaken massive infrastructure project of building a new area, currently named as The New Administrative Capital (NAC). It is planned to be Egypt's new capital and has been under construction since 2015. NAC is a part of Egypt's agenda for economic development and larger initiative called 'Egypt Vision 2030'. The new city is located 45 kilometres (28 miles) east of Cairo and just outside the Second Greater Cairo Ring Road. Sprawling over 700 km², the city is expected to house a population of 7 million people. The city is planned to consist of a government administrative district, a diplomatic area, a cultural district (opera and theatres), a central business district (CBD), parks (the 'green river'), and 21 residential districts. The NAC would be completed in phases. Egyptian government has already started shifting government ministries to the New Administrative Capital in 2023.

6. To symbolize the modern architecture and Islam as basic essence, Egypt built a spectacular mosque in its New Administrative Capital, named Al-Fattah Al-Aleem Mosque. The mosque is located on the New Middle Ring Road in the New Capital. Al-Fattah Al- Aleem Mosque has been built on the allocated area of 110 acres and is considered one of the mega mosques in the world. Like Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, Al-Aleem Mosque is the hallmark of the development of New Administrative Capital in Egypt. It was inaugurated by Egyptian President Mr. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in January 2019. The mosque has 21 domes and four minarets each of nearly 95 m in height. and is considered the 2nd biggest mosque in the world in terms of total area. Currently, the mosque has a capacity to house 17,000 people for prayers. The mosque also includes two Quran memorization houses one each for boys and girls.

On the 75th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Egypt, the commemorative postage stamp is being issued by Pakistan Post of the value of Rs. 75/- each denomination on 21st August, 2024.