Institutionalized Embassy-Community dialogue continues in The Hague at the Second Embassy–Community Quarterly Meeting

The Second Embassy-Community Quarterly Meeting was held at the Embassy Residence today (21 October 2009) to discuss community welfare issues. The institutionalized quarterly interaction between the Embassy and the Pakistani-Dutch community are a part of Embassy’s commitment to serve the Pakistani Diaspora in the Netherlands. The representatives of various welfare organizations in the Netherlands attended the meeting, which was chaired by Ambassador of Pakistan, Mr. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry.

The distinguishing feature of this meeting was that its scope was much broader and comprised a two way dialogue and exchange of ideas and information about the past activities and future plans of both the Embassy and the community associations.

Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry unveiled a newsletter of the Embassy which showcased all cultural, sports, diplomatic and humanitarian activities and events organized by the Embassy and the Community from March-August 2009. This innovative initiative of biannual newsletter was highly appreciated by the community representatives. The copies of the newsletter are available in the Embassy and on Embassy’s website.

The meeting reviewed the follow up of the consular issues raised during the last meeting, including streamlining of NICOP/POC procedures; rationalization of visa fee; agreement on export of pension benefits in Pakistan; and streamlining of remittances through Habib Bank to Pakistan.

The PIA Manager announced new services offered by PIA, in particular the new flight being introduced every Sunday from Amsterdam to Lahore. 

As part of the two-way dialogue, the community associations also briefed the participants about their past activities and future plans. The useful exchange served to appreciate the role of some associations and to encourage them to further intensify their welfare, cultural and other activities.

The Community representatives greatly appreciated the various measures taken by the Embassy for betterment of its services and thanked the Ambassador for personally steering this dialogue and coordination between the Embassy and the Community. 

The Third Embassy-Community Quarterly Meeting (ECQM-III) will be held in January 2010.


Embassy of Pakistan, The Hague
22 October 2009