Minister, diplomats agree to bolster ties
Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah Tuesday discussed the initial plan of the second ‘CPEC Cultural Caravan’ to strengthen cultural bonds between Pakistan, China, Russia and other Central Asian states.
The meeting held at Pakistan National Council of the Arts was attended by Ambassador of Russia to Pakistan Albert Khorev, Embassy of China Counselor Bao Zhong, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan Atajan Movlamov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin, Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan Totuiaev Ulanbek Asankulovich, Ambassador of Uzbekistan Aybek Arif Usmanov and Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov.
Federal Secretary National Heritage and Culture Humaira Ahmed, Advisor National Heritage and Culture Muhammad Kashif Irshad, Director General PNCA Ayuob Jamali, Executive Director Lok Virsa Uzair Khan and Chairperson Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) Dr Najeeba Arif were also present at the occasion.
Read Pakistan looks to ‘interested’ CPEC partners
Addressing the diplomats, Jamal Shah apprised that his ministry plans to organise a second China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Cultural Caravan, aimed at promoting economic ties and strengthening cultural bonds between Pakistan, China and the Central Asian states.
Jamal Shah said CPEC Cultural Caravan will commence its journey from Xi’an, China, and traverse through Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, UAE, Gwadar, Karachi, ultimately concluding in Islamabad.
"Cultural caravan will document diverse lives on CPEC, the ancient Silk Route" he added. This cultural excursion will document the experiences and stories of the people along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Silk Route, covering Central Asian countries.
He said that the cultural caravan will be composed of diverse groups of Pakistani, Chinese and Central Asian artists, musicians, photographers, anthropologists, writers and filmmakers.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2024.