Adios Amigos: After 12 years, Saravia bids adieu to ‘second home’

Argentine envoy hosts ‘last’ reception before flying home next week

ISLAMABAD: The longest-serving ambassador to Pakistan paid farewell to the Islamabad-based diplomatic community, friends, and the cultural and social aficionados of the capital as he is heading back to his country soon, but only because he is retiring.

Ambassador Rodolfo Martin-Saravia, a popular envoy and an integral part of the social and cultural life of the city, will return to Argentina in a few days after spending 12 years in Pakistan.

On Tuesday, he hosted a reception to bid farewell to the hundreds of friends and well-wishers he and his wife Suzanna have developed over the years in a country they refer to as their second home.

Attendees at the reception included a veritable who’s who of not just Islamabad, but the entire country, including former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and a number of well-known politicians, retired military officials and diplomats.

“He has been a wonderful ambassador and has brought Argentina, a country in South America, to the limelight here during his tenure as he worked honestly and sincerely to build Pakistan-Argentina relations,” former senator Enver Baig commented.

Another former senator Salim Saifullah noted how active Saravia had been as an ambassador and especially in his role as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps — an honorary title given to the senior-most foreign envoy.

“Rodolfo has not only been looking after Argentina-Pakistan ties, he has been looking after all the high commissioners and ambassadors in the city, taking them to historical sites [and other notable attractions], which in itself is a great service to Pakistan.”

Saifullah, who is also president of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, noted that Saravia has also been very supportive of the sport.

A number of guests also said they would love to meet the couple again in Argentina to “reciprocate the warmth they brought here”.

In a short speech, Ambassador Saravia expressed his love for Pakistan and his thanks for the love he received. “I hope you will give the same reception to my successors,” he said, adding, “In all these years, we have established such good relationships with all of you.”

He also gave special mention to a few attendees, including Tuba Khan, the widow of Sahabzada Yaqub Khan.

He also noted the ups and downs he has seen in his tenure. “In 12 years, we have seen a lot of good moments and sad moments,” before referring to last year’s helicopter crash at Naltar in Gilgit-Baltistan, in which three ambassadors were among the eight people killed, and the passing of Raja Tridev Roy, who spent 15 years as the ambassador of Pakistan to Argentina.

Closing on a more positive note, he assured guests that “We will come back again. Believe me, we will be back in this country to enjoy [ourselves] with you.”

Later, former Ministry of Industries secretary Aziz Bilour offered an anecdote to illustrate Saravia’s familiarity with Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2016.