On March 15, 2017, the Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Government of Pakistan, H.E. Rana Tanveer Hussain, hosted a dinner to introduce the newly appointed Executive Director COMSATS to the diplomatic community of COMSATS Member States and a few non-members in Islamabad, as well as senior government functionaries of Pakistan. The dinner had an impressive attendance of 75, including ambassadors and representatives from 22 foreign missions in Islamabad. The foreign missions from COMSATS’ Member States present on the occasion belonged to Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Iran, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Nigeria, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, and Tunisia, while those from non-member states belonged to Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Brunei, Mauritius, Oman, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. Senior officials, inter alia, from Pakistani Ministries of S&T, Foreign Affairs, and Planning and Development; COMSATS Secretariat, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, and COMSATS Internet Services also attended the dinner.

Speaking to the august gathering at the dinner, His Excellency congratulated Dr. S.M. Junaid Zaidi on assuming charge as Executive Director COMSATS, which he deemed “a befitting recognition of Dr. Zaidi’s dedicated and selfless services spanning well over 45 years”. He also communicated to Dr. Zaidi felicitations from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who approved the appointment last month. “The Government (of Pakistan) has now reposed added confidence in his abilities by appointing him as the new Executive Director of COMSATS”, said the Minister. “It is our firm conviction that, under his able leadership, COMSATS will work rigorously towards achieving the aims and objectives of the Commission.”

Earlier, the Federal Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Fazal Abbas Maken, appreciated the mandate of COMSATS and its efforts in pursuit of its objectives over the years. He showed his confidence in the new incumbent, who took on the new role equipped with a sound academic background and a vast experience of civil service, education sector, S&T policy and diplomacy. He especially considered the phenomenal growth of CIIT incepted in 1998 as COMSATS’ flagship project a testimonial of his devotion and capabilities. He considered it important to support COMSATS in furthering the process of South-South multilateral cooperation in addition to Pakistan’s bilateral cooperation with some of the countries represented at the dinner. Reiterating his Ministry’s pledge to support COMSATS in future, he urged the foreign missions to help strengthen COMSATS and support Dr. Zaidi in realizing the organization’s objectives.

In his remarks on the occasion, the incoming Executive Director COMSATS expressed his gratitude to the Minister for honoring him by hosting the dinner.  He was grateful to the Prime Minister for appointing him as the Executive Director, and expressed gratitude to the Federal Minister and Federal Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, for the confidence they showed in him. He held in high regard the efforts of his predecessors. With a pledge to do his utmost best in realizing the vision of Dr. Abdus Salam of a more enabled South in terms of S&T cooperation, he sought support from his colleagues and the honorable guests at the dinner.

In his vote of thanks after the dinner, Mr. Rana Tanveer considered the support of the foreign missions in the country crucial for COMSATS’ smooth operations. He reiterated his Ministry’s strong resolve to stand by COMSATS to help achieve its goals.