On 27 November 2025 the Embassy of Romania in Islamabad hosted a reception at the Mövenpick Hotel to mark Romania National Day, drawing almost 600 guests and a wide cross section of Pakistani and Romanian society. The Centaurus building was illuminated in the colors of the Romanian flag, creating a striking backdrop for an evening that combined diplomacy, culture and business engagement.
The event brought together high-level Pakistani officials and parliamentarians alongside ambassadors, military representatives, business leaders, journalists, local expatriates and members of the Romanian diaspora. Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi attended as Guest of Honour, while Peer Imran Shah, Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, and Qaisar Ahmed Sheikh, Federal Minister for Investment, were also present. Prominent public figures in attendance included Governor Faisal Karim Kundi of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Senator Rana Mahmood, Danyal Chaudhry, convener of the Pakistan–Romania Friendship Group in the National Assembly, and MNA Farah Naz.
In his remarks, the Guest of Honour conveyed the Pakistani government’s congratulations on Romania National Day and underlined the strong potential for bilateral cooperation in railway infrastructure, energy, culture, education and trade. The message reinforced mutual interest in expanding economic ties and practical projects that can benefit both countries.
The reception featured two notable cultural moments as part of the Romanian Cultural Days in Pakistan. Soprano Georgiana Costea-Glugă performed the Romanian national anthem and the EU anthem, while two local artists, students of the Romanian soprano, performed the Pakistani national anthem. This musical presentation stood out as a distinctive component of diplomatic protocol in Islamabad and left a memorable impression on attendees.
A premiere photo exhibition accompanied the evening, tracing 61 years of Romania–Pakistan diplomatic relations through archival images supplied by the National Archives of Romania, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and AGERPRES. The photographs highlighted historic official visits, agreement signings and milestones that illustrate the steady evolution of bilateral ties since the 1960s.
The embassy used the occasion to reaffirm recent advances in the bilateral relationship. Romania has opened an honorary consulate in Peshawar and is preparing to inaugurate additional honorary consulates in Karachi and Lahore. Romanian representatives also recalled an extensive programme of visits across Pakistan — including Karachi, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and Peshawar — which helped open new doors for trade, investment and business dialogue.
Practical cooperation was emphasized through references to the first Romania–Pakistan IT Forum, which brought more than 100 companies from both countries into direct contact and laid the groundwork for partnerships in technology and digital services. Delegates also noted growing defence cooperation through high-level military exchanges and an expanding people-to-people dimension driven by cultural events, academic links and direct exchanges.
Academic collaboration continues to deepen with partnerships involving institutions such as NUST, GIFT and NUTECH, and the inauguration of the first Romanian language lectorate at NUML, where Dr. Oana Ursache will serve as the Romanian lecturer. The Romanian Cultural Days in Pakistan — featuring film screenings, art exhibitions and concerts in Karachi and Islamabad — were cited as key milestones in strengthening mutual understanding.
Speakers also addressed wider security concerns affecting the region and Europe, reiterating Romania’s support for Ukraine and for a secure European neighbourhood. Recent measures at NATO and EU level, including initiatives to bolster the eastern flank, were described as essential steps in preserving regional stability in the face of evolving threats.
The reception closed with expressions of gratitude to all who attended and a forward-looking tone toward deepening Romania Pakistan cooperation across culture, education, trade and security. The celebration of Romania National Day in Islamabad underscored both the historical depth and the growing practical partnership between the two countries.
