KARACHI: The Arts Council of Pakistan, a globally recognized non-profit organization striving to promote the cultural life and activities of the South Asian country, said it wanted to collaborate with likeminded groups and associations in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
The council has become an internationally recognized body in recent years since collaborations with countries like the United States, Germany, Portugal, China and Japan.
“Under the leadership of the crown prince, the kingdom understands the future — whether it’s the future of the region or the future of the world," I think he has the vision to make his country very prosperous and progressive,” the council’s president, Ahmed Shah, told Arab News and added he would love to invite Saudi painters, musicians, dancers and artists to show their skills to a Pakistani audience.
During his 12 years with the council, Shah has turned it into a leading hub of arts, culture and literature.
He established training academies under the auspices of the organization to promote music, dance and theater. These training facilities also provide free education to more than a thousand underprivileged students annually.
Shah said his next aim was to collaborate with Saudi Arabia which is setting up galleries, working on music and undertaking entertainment megaprojects by building places like Qiddiya.
“And I want to take Pakistani artists to Saudi Arabia," he said. "I'm writing to Saudi officials responsible for arts and culture to request them to bring their artists to Pakistan. I think we can further come closer together through people-to-people contact since it will allow both sides to understand each other better,” he said.
“I was very happy to know that the Kingdom is opening up under the able and dynamic leadership of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman and encouraging the promotion of arts and culture,” he continued.
Last year, popular Pakistani drama Dhoop Kinare was dubbed in Arabic and screened in the kingdom. Its television production was written by Haseena Moin who is also associated with the council as vice president.
“I want that more Pakistani dramas and films are dubbed in Arabic and sent to Saudi Arabia,” Shah said.
