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    Pakistan Film Festival, New York

    Written by: Dr. Dushka H. Saiyid
    Posted on: December 05, 2016 | | 中文

    Red carpet event at the UN (photo: Javaria Inam)

    Since Dr Maleeha Lodhi has taken over as Pakistan’s Representative to the UN, she has moved mountains to project Pakistan’s soft power in New York. One event after another has followed: the Lahore Literary Festival, Rahat Fateh’s performance in the UNGA hall, an exhibition of Pakistani artists, and now the Pakistan Film Festival. This has gone some way in assuaging the thirst of our expatriate community for Pakistani culture, and exposed the UN diplomatic community and Americans to a Pakistan that has more to offer than terrorism.

    Pakistan Film Festival, New York

    With the legendary Sabiha Khanum and some of the stars (photo: Javaria Inam)

    A selection of eight films was shown after a red carpet launch, made glamorous with the attendance of a large number of actors flown in from Pakistan. The presence of the legendary actor Sabiha Khanum at the event created a stir, as she hadn’t been seen in public for years. A few directors were also present: Afia Nathanial, Mehreen Jabbar and Wajahat Rauf, whose recent films, Dukhtar, Dobara Phir Se and Lahore se Aagey respectively, were shown at the Festival. Other films shown were Actor in Law, Dance Kahani, Mah-e-Mir, 3 Bahadur, and Ho Mann Jahaan. Excited members of the audience took selfies with the likes of Mahira Khan, Adeel Hussain, Mawra Hocane and Saba Qamar.

    Pakistan Film Festival, New York

    Dr Lodhi with Mahira Khan (L) and Frieha Altaf (R) (photo: Javaria Inam)

    Some quality films of the neorealist genre with an edge over the usual fare, were unfortunately left out of the Festival; Shah, Revenge of the Worthless and Moor, to mention a few. Budget constraints and the expensive renting of Asia House limited the number of films shown to eight. Salman Iqbal, the CEO of ARY, seems to have played a key role in putting the Film Festival together; no surprises here, as the big media houses are playing a key role in producing and financing the new wave of Pakistani cinema.

    It might be a good idea to make some of these events accessible to the ordinary people by holding them in the parks and squares of Manhattan. Zeyba Rahman, a lady of Indian origin, brought Abida Perveen, Pakistani qawals and the Hanna sisters to the Union Square where the performances were free, but only possible during the summer. People wanting to attend more exclusive performances in rented halls, did so by paying for them. This would afford Pakistani cabbies and the common Americans to partake of the Pakistani cultural feast.

    It is delightful to see pictures of young Pakistani actors and directors draped across the staircase of the Permanent Representative’s mansion in Manhattan. Dr Lodhi has repeatedly espoused the cause of Pakistani talent from all facets of life, and this was the latest expression of that.

    Pakistan Film Festival, New York

    At the residence of Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN (photo: Javaria Inam)

     


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021