wo Scandinavian neighbours celebrated their national days one after the other this year, with Norway celebrating the actual signing of the constitution in 1814 on May 17 and Sweden on May 18, quite a bit ahead of its national day on June 6, which was earlier known as the Day of the Swedish Flag.

In her speech, Swedish Ambassador Ingrid Johansson underlined the importance of good trade relations between Pakistan and her country and thanked the dozen or so Swedish companies attending the garden party where Federal Minister of Industries Ghulam Murtaza Khan Jatoi was invited as chief guest.

The Norwegian ambassador, Tore Nedrebo focused his speech on human rights issues, noting that May 17 coincides with the International Day against Homophobia, Tans-phobia and Bi-phobia.

He said his embassy had recently moved to offices in the Serena Business Complex and that they are waiting for the new building in the Diplomatic Enclave to be completed, which will take some four to five years, and the building will be shared by the Scandinavian neighbours.

A local band by the name of `Sakin` entertained guests with modern tunes but it seemed the band had not rehearsed enough as it did not do justice to Norwegian songs nor to the Pakistani national anthem.