KUWAIT : Kuwait National Memorial House formally inaugurated the Pakistan section, consisting of a mural depicting Pakistan's contribution in the reconstruction of Kuwait after the Iraqi invasion, Tuesday.
The event was attended by Pakistan's Ambassador to Kuwait Mohammad Aslam and top military officials from the Islamic state. Yusuf Al Umairi, head of Kuwait National Memorial House, speaking at the event said Pakistan has played a very important role in the post Gulf war Kuwait. 'The Pakistan section in the house will help in building close ties between the people of Pakistan and Kuwait.' He said the house is pondering over the signing of an agreement with Pakistan to strengthen bilateral relations, 'like the agreements we have signed with Senegal and other countries.'
The mural will tell the visitors of the great service the Pakistani army rendered in Kuwait, Al Umairi added. 'We will be sending invitations through the media to all the citizens and Pakistani expatriates to visit the house, especially the newly opened Pakistani section.'
The Pakistani ambassador said the close links between the embassy and the Kuwait National Memorial House is a step toward furthering the good relations between the two nations, 'and is an indication that we are progressing in the right direction.'
He praised Al Umairi saying 'in him I see a great friend of Pakistan.' He said Pakistan carried out its moral duty by siding with the allies to drive out the illegitimate occupiers from Kuwait. The then government of Pakistan and the people unanimously condemned the occupation, he added.
Pakistani engineers played an important role in clearing mines in the Kuwaiti waters left by retreating Iraqi forces, making it safe for navigation, the ambassador said.
He thanked the house for dedicating a section for Pakistan. 'I will encourage all the Pakistani expatriates to visit the memorial.' About the signing of the agreement mentioned by Umairi between Pakistan and the house, he said 'I will take up the issue seriously with the authorities back home and help make it a reality.'
The ambassador was then taken on a tour of the museum. Al Umairi was given a brief explanation of the Pakistani mural by embassy officials. The mural portrayed the many contributions of the Pakistani army in Kuwait soon after invasion.
The Pakistani contingent began work in Kuwait in December 1991, and completed its mission in December 1993. 'After that we had a detachment with Kuwaiti forces till 1998,' the official said.
About the mission, he said 'we worked in mainland Kuwait and Boubyan Island for the retrieval of unexploded bombs and the removal of mines and various other war materials from the area. We also rehabilitated the oil wells in the area. A force of 1100 personnel was deployed in Kuwait.'
He said Pakistan lost seven of its soldiers during the operations and 22 suffered serious injuries. Two soldiers were taken as POW by Iraq, and were let off after two years, he added.
Al Umairi commiserated with Pakistan for its dead soldiers and asked for their details to extend help to their bereaved families. 'Any blood spilt in favor of Kuwait falls on our hearts... and we will be very grateful to them,' he added.
By Valiya S. Sajjad
© Arab Times 2008
