Islamabad, [Parliament Times]: Two Pakistanis were awarded the “Public Diplomat Award‘ by the Decision of the Coordinating Council of the Center for Public Diplomacy of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Govt of Uzbekistan. This special award for promoting people-to-people ties through education, business, media and culture was conferred to Farhat Asif, Founder and President Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, and Muhammad Asif Noor, Secretary General Pakistan- SCO Friendship Forum.
Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS) established in June 2014, is Pakistan-based independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit Research, Advocacy, and Public Diplomacy Think and Do Tank.
Pakistan-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Friendship Forum(PSCOFF) is to build relationships amongst the communities and diverse groups within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries. Keeping in view Pakistan’s presence Primary focus of PSCOFF is on the Nine E’s, i.e., Education, Energy, Economy, Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Expedition, Employment, Entertainment( Print and Electronic Media), and Environment to explore the possibilities of developing deep-rooted linkages within the SCO member countries and benefiting Pakistan and its citizens through “Connecting People and Providing Opportunities.” The aim also is to raise awareness about the potential of SCO within Pakistan and jointly address the issues of the societies covered by the SCO member states through improved public engagement and diplomacy. The recent initiatives are establishing the PakSCO Business Council, SCO Studies Diploma, and Workshop on Exploring Business Opportunities in SCO Region.
In a solemn ceremony held in Islamabad, Arif Usmanov, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, conferred these awards to Ms. Farhat Asif and Muhammad Asif Noor for their outstanding public diplomacy services to the countries across the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation region.
On occasion, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan praised the noteworthy contribution that the two awardees have contributed to building strong ties between countries in the SCO region.
This award has been bestowed so far to 22 dignitaries worldwide, and only two are from Pakistan. This award is not only a great honor for us but also for Pakistan. The award is bestowed due to the outstanding public diplomacy services for the countries in the SCO region. The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan has conferred this award in a ceremony here in Islamabad.
The Public diplomat Award was established by the Center for Public Diplomacy of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Govt of Uzbekistan. The Award is a high-level accolade for strengthening mutual trust, inter ethnic and inter religious harmony, civilizational dialogue, expanding cultural and humanitarian ties between the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, creating an atmosphere of friendly cooperation between civil society institutions, including youth, women’s organizations, promoting the main goal principles of SCO.
