KARACHI: The Netherlands King’s 49th birthday was celebrated on Thursday night, which was participated by a cluster of businessmen, diplomats posted in Karachi, elite of the city and a group of politicians including Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani and Senior Sindh Minister for Education, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro. Netherlands Ambassador to Pakistan Jeannette Seppen and the Honorary Consul General Tarek Khan along with his wife Adeela Tarek Khan welcomed the guests at Netherlands King’s Day celebrations. On the occasion, Netherlands ambassador said that the birthday of King falls on May 27, but the celebration had been started from Karachi because of two reasons. Firstly, we love coming to Karachi, as it is a fantastic and dynamic city. We appreciate great hospitality. Moreover, the first diplomatic contact between Netherlands and Pakistan was from Karachi. Secondly, She said that many Dutch companies including Philips, Uniliver, Shell are successfully operating in Karachi for a long period. The ports and shipping are handling big quantity of our cargo. She said we want to increase footprints in Karachi. She said Pakistan held very important position in Dutch foreign policy adding that both the countries had strong social and economic bonds over the years. She said the Netherlands and Pakistan would extend their collaboration and partnership in many sectors mainly in energy, food and agriculture. She informed that the scientists of both countries were working on potato transplantation and it would be very good news for the two peoples. The Dutch ambassador said her country would be supporting every initiative for freedom of press and women rights. She also paid tribute to the people of Sindh and Balochistan and of Pakistan as a whole. Jeannette Seppen informed the gathering that former Dutch ambassador to Pakistan who was injured in helicopter accident in Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and had recovered now and would resume work within next few days. On the occasion, Sindh Senior Minister for Education, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro said, “We want to strengthen relationship with Netherlands and want to learn from Dutch expertise especially in windmill and agriculture.” A cake was also cut to celebrate King’s birthday.