Pakistan, US stress need to boost cultural ties

US Charge d'Affaires Paul Jones calls on Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, discusses bilateral relations

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday stressed the need to boost cultural ties with the US, in meeting with US Charge d'Affaires Paul Jones who called on the former on Tuesday.

The development comes as Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is set to meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US National Security Adviser John Bolton in Washington.

Regional issues and bilateral relations are expected to be discussed in the meetings as the two countries move towards resetting ties which frayed after US President Donald Trump assumed office.

The minister also sought US assistance to rejuvenate film and cinema industry in Pakistan, read an official statement issued today. Fawad noted that films were one of the vital mediums to promote the culture and values of any society.

Resetting ties: FM Qureshi to meet Pompeo, Bolton today

According to him, revival of cinemas would generate economic activities by offering myriads of opportunities, including jobs.

The minister said Pakistan would welcome any joint venture in the arena of exchange of films and co-productions.

He also stressed that the ministry had a key role in countering extremists' narrative, saying collaboration in the areas of film and media would help supplement the efforts.

Fawad further said that the government had envisaged to establish media university by merging PBC [Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation] and PTV [Pakistan Television] academies.

He said that Pakistan would highly appreciate US cooperation in establishing a media university in order to impart training to journalists and producers in various mediums, and equip them with knowledge of relevant technical and creative aspects.



Fawad said that media was enjoying unprecedented freedom in Pakistan, and the elected government and the country's institutions believed in free press and freedom of expression. He said that we acknowledged the role of media as a watchdog and tolerate all kinds of criticism.

He also said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was keen to improve relations with all neighbours including Afghanistan. Pakistan, he added, is a modern democratic state where media and judiciary are independent and all institutions are working in complete harmony.

Paul Jones appreciated the minister’s perspective on closer Pak-US cultural cooperation, and the vision of current dispensation in surmounting the challenges presently faced by Pakistan. He said that US would look into building this relationship in various areas mutually beneficial for both sides.