CANBERRA: A ceremony was held at the High Commission for Pakistan in Canberra, Australia Tuesday to award Pakistan Presidential medal “Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam” to the veteran Australian Politician and former Senator Ms. Lee Rhiannon.
The Medal was conferred by the High Commissioner H.E. Babar Amin on behalf of the President of Pakistan. The ceremony was attended by Australian dignitaries, prominent persons, and members of Pakistani community from different walks of life.
Ms. Lee Rhiannon a veteran Australian politician and former Senator has been raising her voice for human rights across the world, especially for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). She has been at the forefront in highlighting the plight of Kashmiris in the New South Wales and Australian parliaments as well as other forums, raising public awareness about the issue.
The High Commissioner, while addressing the occasion, conveyed deep appreciation of the people and government of Pakistan on Ms. Rhiannon’s principled position and her voice for the subjugated people of Kashmir.
He also highlighted former Senator’s support for the Australians of Pakistani origin and being available for taking up their matters. Ms. Rhiannon, while speaking to the ceremony expressed her deep appreciation for the honour.
She thanked the government and people of Pakistan for the Award.Former Senator stated that Kashmiri people were facing immense human rights violations, however, most people were unaware about it. The issue was cloaked by the narrative that Kashmir was a bilateral issue between Pakistan and India which needed to be rectified.
She added that India and Pakistan were both nuclear powers, so the issue of Kashmir assumed a core significance. Referring to the two Reports of the UN Office of the Human Rights Commissioner on the situation in Kashmir, issued in 2018 and 2019, she appreciated Pakistani position for accepting them, whereas India rejected.
She also spoke about the further deterioration of human rights and humanitarian and human rights situation following the illegal Indian actions of 5 August 2019coupled with military siege, demographic apartheid, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings and violation of women’s modesty. The participants of the ceremony highly lauded the services of former Senator Lee Rhiannon and praised the decision of the government for recognizing her principles-based work.
The High Commission for Pakistan in Canberra, Australia on Monday also organized a Virtual Information Technology Delegations Meeting (VITDM) between the companies of Australia and Pakistan. Ninety-nine Pakistani and forty-seven Australian companies participated in the meeting. The meeting was organized in collaboration with the Consulates Generals of Sydney and Melbourne as well as Honorary Investment Counsellor Mr. Hassan Kanji.–PR
