DUBAI: The principal curator of Pakistan Pavilion at Dubai Expo described the facility as a “game changer” for the country shortly before the much-awaited global trade show opened with a 90-minute glittering ceremony on Thursday.
Rulers of the United Arab Emirates along with a large number of foreign dignitaries from across the world were present at the star-studded event that featured leading Grammy and Golden Globe Award winners.
Over 910 cast members, representing 64 nations, participated in the ceremony.
The highly publicized global trade show has brought together representatives of 190 nations who will display their cultures, human resource and investment opportunities for the next six months to enhance their country’s trade and commerce with the rest of the world.
Pakistan, too, is set to shine on the global stage to attract greater number of tourists along with more international investment.
“The Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2020 will be a game changer for the country,” said Noorjehan Bilgrami, the principal curator of the 3,521 square meters of stall who also conceptualized its internal structure. “People have a certain image of Pakistan, but they will not be able to resist the temptation of visiting the country after simply walking through the pavilion.”
Bilgrami, who spoke to Arab News exclusively, said it was important to raise the comfort level of foreign nationals, adding that the Pakistan Pavilion was designed to highlight the country’s natural beauty along with the hospitality of its people.
“This will bring tourism which also be followed by trade and investment,” she said.
Under the theme of “Pakistan: The Hidden Treasure,” the pavilion has been conceived in a way that it informs, inspires and ignite conversations which are likely to leave a lasting impact.
Bilgrami, a Pakistan-based visual artist, textile designer, researcher and educationist, said the pavilion’s façade had been designed by world famous Pakistani artist Rashid Rana.
Asked about the internal structure of the facility, she said the building was divided in eight parts and was a combination of narrow passages and open spaces.
“I had to create a seamless experience and decided to use multimedia to describe different places and happenings in Pakistan,” she said.
Visitors will start their journey by learning about the country’s history through a display of ancient civilizations going back to about 7,000 years. Artisans from Pakistan have replicated pottery from the premodern period, and the organizers have prominently displayed these pieces at the pavilion.
“People will keep walking through the facility without missing the lovely timeline that shows Pakistan’s history until it evolves into a modern-day state,” she continued.
Bilgrami informed that a separate area had also been dedicated to promote different Pakistani cuisines.
According to a statement issued by the country’s commerce ministry on Thursday, the pavilion, which has been constructed at an estimated cost of $21.4 million, will also promote the government’s campaign to attract greater foreign investment in Pakistan.
“Multiple business events will be held in which government entities, private entrepreneurs and SMEs [small and media enterprises] will be projecting their opportunities,” the statement added. “This initiative is highly prioritized throughout the agenda and will be highlighted through further panel sessions, seminars and lectures.”
Organizers call Pakistan Pavilion ‘game changer’ as Dubai Expo opens with star-studded launch
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Organizers call Pakistan Pavilion ‘game changer’ as Dubai Expo opens with star-studded launch
- The principal curator of the facility says the pavilion has been designed to highlight the natural beauty of the country and hospitality of its people
- Pakistan’s commerce ministry says the event will help promote the government’s campaign to attract foreign investment in the country
Azad Kashmir President Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry dies at 71
- Pakistan prime minister praises Chaudhry’s advocacy for the Kashmir cause
- AJK Presidential Office says he died in Islamabad after a prolonged illness
ISLAMABAD: Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, the president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and a veteran Kashmiri politician, died in Islamabad on Saturday after a prolonged illness, according to an official statement from the AJK Presidential Office. He was 71.
His funeral prayers will be held on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Mirpur Cricket Stadium, the statement said.
Chaudhry, who served multiple times as prime minister and opposition leader in AJK before becoming president in 2021, was one of the region’s most prominent political figures and a long-time advocate of the Kashmir cause at international forums.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over Chaudhry’s death in a statement.
“Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry was a farsighted political leader who spent his entire life in the service of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,” Sharif said in a statement issued by his office.
Born on August 9, 1955, in Chichian, Mirpur, Chaudhry received his early education in his native village, completed his matriculation from Cantonment Public School Rawalpindi and graduated from Gordon College Rawalpindi before traveling to Britain, where he earned a law degree from Lincoln’s Inn. He returned to Pakistan in 1983 and entered active politics.
Over his political career, Chaudhry was elected nine times from his Mirpur constituency and held several senior positions, including prime minister of AJK in 1996 and opposition leader in the legislative assembly in 2001. He also led multiple political parties in AJK, including the Muslim Conference, the Peoples Party AJK chapter and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf AJK chapter.
The AJK Presidential Office said Chaudhry played a central role in raising the Kashmir issue globally, addressing international institutions, foreign governments and parliaments, and leading protests and demonstrations in cities including London, New York, Brussels and Berlin. It said he was the only AJK leader to have been permitted to visit Indian-administered Kashmir, where he addressed a public gathering at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk and met senior Kashmiri leaders.
Sharif said Chaudhry “raised a strong voice against Indian oppression of the Kashmiri people and in support of the Kashmir cause.”
“His service to the Kashmiri people and his struggle for the Kashmir cause will always be remembered in history,” he added.
