Caretaker Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Jamal Shah on Tuesday held a meeting with Ambassadors of Central Asian States to discuss the initial plan of second ‘CPEC Cultural Caravan 2024;’ aimed at strengthening cultural bonds between Pakistan, China, Russia and the Central Asian States.
The high level meeting held at Pakistan National Council of the Arts was attended by Ambassador of Russia to Pakistan Albert Khorev, Embassy of China Counselor BaoZhong, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan Mr. AtajanMovlamov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan YerzhanKistafin, Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan TotuiaevUlanbekAsankulovich, Ambassador of Uzbekistan AybekArifUsmanov and Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan KhazarFarhadov.
Federal Secretary National Heritage and Culture Humaira Ahmed, Advisor National Heritage and Culture Muhammad KashifIrshad, Director General PNCA AyuobJamali, Executive Director LokVirsaUzair Khan and Chairperson Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) DrNajeebaArif were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the diplomats, Jamal Shah apprised that his ministry plans to organize 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.
He said that 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 to Document Diverse Lives on CPEC, Silk Route,” the Minister National Heritage and Culture 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.
Jamal Shah said that the CPEC Cultural Caravan aims at promoting dialogue, cultural exchange, understanding, trust and respect between the nations, adding that it will also strengthen international relations in terms of protection of cultural heritage, cultural and academic exchange.
