ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Fashion Couture exhibition will be held on Nov. 16 in Riyadh to showcase Pakistani fashion in the Saudi market, featuring a variety of designers and their collections, a media handout said on Wednesday.
The fashion practiced in the South Asian country is an eclectic blend of traditional and modern styles, reflecting Pakistan’s cultural heritage. From the intricate embroidery and ornate patterns of traditional clothing to the bold and edgy designs of contemporary fashion, Pakistani fashion is a reflection of the country’s diversity and creativity.
Fashion designers from Saudi Arabia and other countries will also participate in the event, fostering “cultural harmony” between the two sides, in addition to promoting Pakistani fashion globally.
“For the first time, a fashion exhibition will take place on November 16 in Riyadh,” the media handout by Pakistan Fashion Couture said, quoting its top official, Adnan Bashir Khan. “This event will showcase Pakistani apparel, jewelry, and other fashion items, with participation from renowned Pakistani designers.”
Addressing a news conference in Riyadh, Khan highlighted how Pakistani fashion was “admired” by Saudi, Indian and Bangladeshi communities, among other nationalities, saying the aim was to “further establish Pakistani fashion’s presence” in the Saudi market.
He said a “special designer zone” was being set up at the exhibition for “established and emerging” designers to showcase their skills.
“This event marks an important step in strengthening fashion ties between the two countries,” Khan added. “We want to introduce Saudi audiences to the vibrant colors of Pakistani fashion and promote our designers’ creations on a global platform.”
The Pakistan Fashion Couture founder hopes the exhibition, featuring “traditional attire, contemporary fashion, and exclusive bridal designs,” will be a milestone for the Pakistani fashion industry in Saudi Arabia.
“Our goal is to increase the popularity of Pakistani fashion here and create new opportunities for our industry in Saudi Arabia,” Khan said.
Pakistan Fashion Couture exhibition to be held in Saudi Arabia on Nov. 16
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Pakistan Fashion Couture exhibition to be held in Saudi Arabia on Nov. 16
- Event featuring various designers will showcase Pakistani fashion collections in the Middle Eastern market
- Pakistani fashion blends traditional and modern styles, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage
EU criticizes Pakistan over jailing of rights lawyers, flags free speech concerns
- EU says the convictions of Imaan Mazari-Hazir, Hadi Ali Chattha violate freedom of expression
- Both lawyers were arrested last week over social media posts under Pakistan’s cybercrime laws
KARACHI: The European Union on Thursday criticized Pakistan over the conviction of two human rights lawyers for their social media activity, saying the ruling ran counter to freedom of expression and the independence of the legal profession, core democratic principles that Islamabad is committed to uphold under international law.
Imaan Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha were arrested last Friday as they were on their way to a court appearance and were later remanded to two weeks in judicial custody.
Authorities accused them of violating the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) over posts on X that they said incited ethnic divisions and portrayed the military as being involved in “terrorism.” Both deny the allegations.
“The conviction of human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha over social media activity goes against freedom of expression and independence of lawyers,” Anouar El Anouni, the EU’s spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, said in a post on X. “These are not only key democratic principles but also part of Pakistan’s international human rights commitments.”
Pakistan is one of the largest beneficiaries of the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which grants duty-free access to most European markets in return for implementing 27 international conventions covering human rights, labor standards, environmental protection and good governance.
Pakistan’s GSP+ status came under scrutiny in the past after, in April 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for an immediate review, citing concerns over violence against religious minorities, curbs on media freedom and broader human rights issues.
Earlier this week, lawyers in Pakistan’s capital went on strike and announced plans to stage a protest against the court ruling, which handed Mazari-Hazir and Chattha a cumulative 17-year sentence.
The Pakistani government has not yet responded to the EU statement.
