Pakistan, Saudi to launch executive program for cultural cooperation, minister says

In this file photo, Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, center, and his musicians perform at the King Fahd Cultural Center, Riyadh on Nov. 28, 2018. (AN photo by Syed Osama Imtiaz)

• Pakistan National Council of Arts will provide training to Saudi artists, producers, directors and other related professionals
• Says the program will enhance recognition of history and nature of life in both countries

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are all set to ink an executive program to enhance cultural cooperation between the two countries, the minister for national history and literary heritage, Shafqat Mahmood, told Arab News.
The two sides have completed work on the MoU in this regard, which will officially be signed and come into effect later this, he added. 
"The cooperation in the fields of culture and arts will enhance the recognition of history and nature of life in both countries,” the minister said. “Saudi Arabia has a rich culture. It’s a different culture than Pakistan. We can have very good cultural exchanges especially of artists, calligraphers, singers, directors and actors."   
According to the new agreement seen by Arab News, the executive program of cultural exchanges is developed on a previously signed agreement between two countries on October 8, 1992 in Islamabad. The new agreement will be effective for a period of five years from the date of its signing, Mahmood told. 
He said the two brotherly countries are tied in the bonds of fraternity and Pakistan would like to enhance cultural ties with the kingdom, which would bring the people of two countries closer together.
Last year, internationally acclaimed Pakistani singer, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, performed at Riyadh’s King Fahad Culture Center amid much applause. In September 2018, Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Information Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad, visited Pakistan to discuss ways for the two countries to broaden their relationship in the field of media and culture which is when the ground work to develop the executive program started, Mahmood said.
Mahmood added that former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary had very fruitful discussions to enhance cultural exchanges with Saudi Minister for Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Farhan al Saud, during his visit to Pakistan earlier this year where both the leaders agreed to expedite work on the proposed program.
“We will now be able to pursue this further and after the formal signing of MoU both the countries would participate in festivals, conferences and cultural dialogues,” Mahmood said.
Under the executive program, the two countries will arrange cultural exchange days, visits and training in the field of cultural revitalization, according to the new agreement.
“Under the program, both countries will also exchange child theatre groups, establish art exhibitions and support finding common grounds between youth through exchange of youth delegations,” the new agreement reads.
Mahmood said that Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, is recently investing a lot in art and culture. 
“Pakistani institutions of culture like the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) are vibrant and the performing arts academies are strong. Pakistan could support Saudi Arabia by training their stage artists, producers, directors and other related professionals. Their artisans can come here for training in PNCA and we have a number of artisans to send there (Saudi Arabia),” he said.
He added that the first Pakistani film "Parwaaz Hai Junoon" was screened in Saudi cinemas last November and that both countries can cooperate further in this field by exchange of films as well as joint production ventures.
The Minister said that the culture of Saudi Arabia is quite close to the hearts of the Muslims. “Saudi Arabia has such a rich culture and I am sure that they have many crafts which we would like to see.”