RIYADH: Riyadh Season, Saudi Arabia’s most culturally diverse season yet, has won the hearts of thousands of Pakistanis from across the country as 20,000 expats gathered to witness two of Pakistan’s biggest music stars, Atif Aslam and Rahet Fateh Ali Khan, perform live in concert in Riyadh last month.
Color Run, a 5 km marathon, as well as a plethora of activities presenting more opportunities for recreation and entertainment for expats in Riyadh, followed the first-of-its-kind concert.
Sameer Khan, 40, a Pakistani engineer, said he participated in Color Run in Riyadh alongside 12 Pakistani families from his neighborhood.
"Some of us went to see the live performances the night before and were bowled over,” he said.
“On stage, Atif Aslam said he had ‘missed the opportunity to perform here’ for many years, which resonated with the thoughts of thousands of Pakistanis. The next day, my colleagues and the families from our compound took our children to participate in the first-ever public event (Color Run). It was amazing to enjoy with our families, feeling so liberated, and hope to have more of these in the Kingdom."
Many Pakistani expats who spoke to Arab News said the huge success of Riyadh Season further established the fact that Saudi Arabia was on its way to a well-planned long-term strategy to further improve the quality of life of its people.
“This is a milestone bigger than economic growth, as it is a leap towards Saudi Arabia's commitment to growth and development, as well as mutual respect for different cultures," Pakistani expat Asim Azhar, 45, said.
"Riyadh Season has found its way to thousands of expatriates who take pride in their contribution towards Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and appreciate the mutual respect for different cultures," Haniya Azeem, 42, said.
As part of the Kingdom's launch of 11 entertainment seasons in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Season 2019 has so far been the most culturally diverse and inclusive. It will take place from October to December this year and includes a wide range of artistic, sporting and cultural events, including theatre, music performances, and fashion shows.
“It naturally makes our stay in Saudi Arabia a more rich and fulfilling experience,” said Kaifi Zaheer, 33.
“We are thrilled that the Saudi government recognizes and celebrates our aspirations, dreams, and visions which align with the country where we live and where most of us were born.”
Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia ‘bowled over’ by diverse Riyadh season
Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia ‘bowled over’ by diverse Riyadh season
- Atif Aslam and Rahet Ali Khan, perform live in concert in Riyadh last month
- It was amazing to enjoy with our families, says Pakistani expat
Pakistan, Indonesia sign MoUs to expand cooperation as Islamabad seeks to ease trade imbalance
- Pakistan offers to send doctors and medical experts to support Indonesia’s expanding health needs
- Indonesian president highlights close foreign policy coordination with Pakistan, including on Gaza
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Indonesia signed seven memoranda of understanding on Tuesday to deepen cooperation in trade, education and health, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saying Islamabad aimed to narrow a $4.5 billion bilateral trade imbalance heavily tilted in Jakarta’s favor.
The agreements were concluded during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s two-day visit to Pakistan, his first trip to the country since taking office and the first by an Indonesian head of state in seven years.
Subianto, who arrived on Monday, held detailed talks with Sharif before the signing ceremony.
“Our discussion has been extremely productive,” Sharif said at a joint media appearance. “More than 90 percent of our current imports from Indonesia are palm oil. We have discussed how to take corrective measures to balance this through Pakistan’s agri-exports, IT-led initiatives and other areas.”
Sharif earlier noted Pakistan’s bilateral trade with Indonesia stood at around $4.5 billion, with the imbalance overwhelmingly in Jakarta’s favor.
Subianto thanked Pakistan for what he called an exceptionally warm welcome, noting his aircraft had been escorted by Pakistan Air Force JF-17 fighter jets.
He said the meeting had produced agreements across several fields, including trade, agriculture, education and science and technology.
The Indonesian president also welcomed Pakistan’s offer to help his country address critical shortages of medical professionals.
“Indonesia has vast needs for doctors, dentists and medical experts, and Pakistan’s support in this regard is strategic and critical,” he said.
Sharif noted Pakistan would be ready to send doctors, dentists and medical professors to assist Indonesia’s plans to expand its medical colleges and universities.
He added that Islamabad would “work closely and diligently” with Jakarta to achieve the targets set during the visit.
Subianto said both countries were also coordinating closely on foreign policy, particularly on developments in Gaza, and reaffirmed Indonesia’s support for a two-state solution.
He invited Sharif to visit Jakarta to deepen cooperation under the new agreements.
Pakistan and Indonesia marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, with both leaders saying the visit would help lift relations to what Sharif called “a much higher level” in trade, development and people-to-people links.
