KARACHI: Mr. Azeem Qureshi, General Manager Beach Luxury Hotel and Avari Group International hosted a grand farewell dinner in honor of Her Excellency Grace Shelton, Consul General of United States of America last week on the evening of Wednesday, 24th January.
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The evening was hosted to acknowledge her Outstanding diplomatic services for her country and for strengthening US-Pakistan’s economic, social, cultural and political relations during her posting in Karachi for about one and a half year.
The consular corp including His Excellency Toshikazu Isomura, Consul General of Japan, Mr. John G. Robinson, Head of Political & Economic Affairs, Ms. Beney J. Lee Economic Officer, U.S. Consulate General Karachi, Her Excellency Elin Burns, Deputy High Commissioner & trade Director for Pakistan, British Deputy High Commission Karachi, His Excellency G.L. Gnanatheva, Consul General of Sri-Lanka and a cross section of the city’s elite responded to the invitation of Beach Luxury, making the event a a very impressive evening.
Addressing his high profile guests Mr. Azeem Qureshi paid rich tribute to the outgoing Consul General of USA.
About Her Excellency he said; “We all feel sad that she is going back; this, of course, is part and parcel of diplomatic assignments. Her Excellency Grace Shelton and her team had been playing a very active and prominent role to promote bilateral Scio-economic relations between USA and Pakistan.”
In her reciprocal address, Her Excellency expressed her sincere thanks to Mr. Qureshi for arranging such an event at her departure. She said that she too will miss Karachi and Pakistan as, during the last one and half year, she had made many good friends here. She wished Pakistan peace, prosperity and development in every walk of life and also said that she was highly impressed by the hospitality and cultural life of Pakistan, particularly of Karachi.
While talking to Her Excellency, Ch. Faisal Mahmood, Chief Editor, Holiday Weekly said; “ Her charismatic personality and high professionalism have won her a special place in our hearts. She conducted her Consulate with such friendship, such sincerity, that – I am not the only one – all those who came in contact with her feel that her tenure was too short ! Her diplomatic services as a well wisher of Pakistan were meaningful and admirable and we all will miss her as a good friend and a impressive diplomat who played vital role to bring people of USA and Pakistan closer to each other.”
A lavish dinner was served on well manicured pool side consisting of the most renowned and popular dishes from Avari and Beach Luxury’s top restaurants including Dynasty and Casbah. The buffet was vast, with Chinese, Labenese, Pakistani and many other Cuisines all cooked to perfection. The guests were visibly impressed with the variety of the hospitality spread. The event culminated on a happy note. Lastly good wishes and pleasantries were exchanged.
