Pak Ambassador Manzoor Ul Haq impressed upon the Pakistani communities in Saudi Arabia to bring discipline to their lives and to work for bettering the soft image of Pakistan. “I as the Ambassador would focus on projecting our culture and soft image. Our culture is rich and diverse and we all must endeavor to introduce it to others in the Kingdom, “Haq mentioned. He was speaking on the occasion of a musical evening this past weekend that was hosted by Pak Embassy in its Chancery Hall.
Haq also mentioned that he was cognizant of the fact that the Pakistanis in the Kingdom were entertainment starved and that they missed their country a lot. “This musical program is intended to provide a little bit of entertainment so the community can feel at home and relaxed in the environ of the Embassy. “Embassy is all yours and we remain at your service. We are like one family here, “Haq added.
“In future you will see more events like this one which helps bring us together. I would invite more famous artists, performers and men of letters from Pakistan and host events with them, “Haq said. In this respect Haq especially mentioned names of the famous stage artist Zia Mohiuddin and the noted social worker Amjad Saqib.
Earlier on the event was kicked off by Abbas Sarwar Qureshi – Head of Chancery at the Embassy of Pakistan. In his brief introductory speech Qureshi mentioned that the intent and the spirit of this musical evening was to provide entertainment to the Pakistani community and to allow opportunity for all to sit down together in a homely atmosphere.
For the musical session that lasted about 3 hours or so two artists were especially invited, namely: Asad Sikander and Zahir Shah. Asad Sikander performed by singing popular numbers in Urdu and Punjabi while Zahir Shah performed by presenting songs in Urdu Pashto.
Asad and Zahir took turns and regaled the audience for hours together singing the popular numbers and even entertaining the especial choice requests from audience.
Asad – a young and promising artist - opened the concert with the popular “Hamd (Song in God’s Euology) from poet Muzaffar Warsi originally sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan:
<Koee Tou Hae Jo Nizam-e-Husti Chalaa Rahaa Hae – Wohee Khudaa Hae….>
Meaning: There is someone that is running this Universe and that is what God is.
Asad then presented the famous patriotic song originally sung by Ustad Amanat Ali Khan:
<Aye Watan Piyare Watan Pak Watan.. Pak Watan – O Mere Piyare Watan….>
Meaning: Oh my beloved country Pakistan – the land of the pure>
Asad followed the above with several popular numbers in Urdu and Punjabi.
All through Asad was able to mesmerize the audience with his magical performance. At one stage when Asad turned to Punjabi bhanghra then some young enthusiasts couldn’t control themselves and freaked out in full joy and performed bhangra in full view and applause from the audience.
Zahir Shah – a noted TV and Radio performer – began with the famous patriotic song.
<Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhkhe Qadam Qadam Aabaad – Qadam Qadam Aabaad Tujhe…>
Meaning: May God be the protector of my beloved and sweet country Pakistan.
Zahir then turned to Pashto songs and sang several popular numbers in a row. He also won applause from the audience.
The event concluded with a short concluding speech by Abbas Sarwar Qureshi who thanked everyone for their patient listening and appreciations for this initiative by the Embassy. The attendees were also served with a dinner box with choice culinary cuisines.