Zubair Qureshi
China is Pakistan’s all-weather, ‘iron’ friend and both the countries are linked in a bond of friendship that spans over decades and travels through generations.
These views were expressed by the speakers at the screening of a short documentary film titled “Threads of Friendship: A Chinese Girl’s Adventure in Pakistan” screened at the Aiwan-e-Quaid on Monday.
The event was held to celebrate the 10-year milestone of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China. The documentary is in fact a joint venture of the China Media Group (CMG) and 101 Friends of China, an Islamabad-based mega strategic think-tank founded by the late Editor-in-Chief of Pakistan Observer, Zahid Malik (Sitara-i-Imtiaz) in 2014.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister (Minister of State) on Interior Affairs, Jawad Sohrab Malik was the Chief Guest on the occasion while among the noted guests who attended the show included Press Attache of the Embassy of China Mr Liu Chang, Vice-Chancellor of the Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU), Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed Akhtar, Vice-Chancellor, National Skills University, Prof Dr Muhammad Mukhtar, CEO of Pakistan Observer and Vice Chairman 101 Friends of China Mr Faisal Zahid Malik, DG National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), Vice Admiral (R) Ahmed Saeed HI(M), and former Project Director (PD) China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Hassan Daud Butt.
In the 22-minute short film, Director of the China Media Group (CMG) Urdu Service, also known as the China International Radio Urdu Service, (FM 98 Dosti Radio) Noreen (Chinese name: Hu Pingping) has successfully tried to explore various layers of the ancient, rich, diverse and unique culture of Pakistan. She has started her journey by visiting Faisal Masjid giving some useful information about its architecture, design and historical perspective. She also visits the Pakistan Monument, Saidpur Village, Rawal Lake and the National Incubation Centre. “Pakistan” in her words “is a country full of wonders.” At the closure of the documentary she says, “My journey has just started and soon I shall be back with more such captivating sights.”
The audience that included a large number of the Pakistani and the Chinese viewers applauded as the short documentary progressed and admired her for portraying an enlightened, peaceful and moderate Pakistan in her documentary. Her command of Urdu and ease of using the right Urdu word at the right place is simply amazing, said Fatima, one among the audience.
In the words of the moderator and co-producer, Fahd Gauhar Malik, the screening exemplified the power of video-sharing and communication that enabled us all to delve deeper into the nuances of Pakistan’s customs and traditions through the lens of our Chinese friends.
“During the four weeks of recording and while working with Noreen we always found her full of energy and passion to film the ‘real potential’ of Pakistan’s tourism sector and to attract the local as well as foreign tourists to this land of peace, harmony and diversity,” said Fahd Malik.
Chief Guest on the occasion SAPM Jawad Sohrab Malik commending the work of the CMG and 101 Friends of China held Pakistan has always valued its friendship with China. Pakistan’s tourism sector indeed carries a huge potential that must be tapped and Noreen and Fahd through the documentary have tried to reflect that. Dr Hassan Daud Butt in his speech shared his experience of the Chinese people’s hospitality and love for the Pakistanis and held that he felt the same feeling of sincerity and camaraderie in the ‘Chinese Girl’s Adventures in Pakistan.’ Noreen, he said, has become a household name in Pakistan because of FM9 8 Dosti Radio and a large number of the Pakistani people are tuned to its transmissions.
While thanking the audience, Noreen said she planned to do more such documentaries on Pakistan’s sites that have not so far been discovered. To a question, she said wherever she went for the sake of the documentary she found the Pakistani people very kind, helpful, cooperative and hospitable. A certificate was also presented to Noreen in recognition of her great work.
