In a collaborative effort to bolster Pakistan’s positive image globally, Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Syed Jamal Shah, and Provincial Minister for Information, Minority Affairs, and Social Protection, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, convened a joint press conference at Haseena Moin Hall in Karachi. Celebrating their common ground in culture and literature, both ministers stressed the need for projecting a positive narrative of Pakistan on the international stage.
Expressing his pleasure at the collaboration, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, also the President of Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, remarked, “Today, we stand united – Jamal Shah, the Federal Minister for Culture and National Heritage, and I, serving as the Provincial Minister for Information, Minority Affairs, and Social Protection. Our common identity lies in culture and literature.” Highlighting Jamal Shah’s significant contributions to the film industry and the arts, Ahmed Shah commended, “Jamal Shah is a renowned filmmaker, actor, and art enthusiast.
His recent visit to Hyderabad further solidified our cultural bonds.” Ahmed Shah emphasized the close relationship they share, signifying a united front in promoting and preserving Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage. The joint effort aims to use cultural diplomacy as a powerful tool to shape a positive and authentic image of Pakistan on the global stage. He has formulated policies for the film industry and worked extensively for the promotion of culture.
Our aim is to showcase Pakistan’s positive image globally, and Jamal Shah’s presence adds value to this mission.” Jamal Shah, addressing the briefing, emphasized the need for cultural unity, stating, “Culture is the only weapon to connect everyone. If we carry our culture with us and present it to the world, the dynamics change. The lack of appreciation for culture leads to the losses we witness today.”
Highlighting the achievements, Jamal Shah mentioned the establishment of policies and galleries, stating, “We have developed policies for Theater Academy, Music Academy under my supervision. The collaboration between federal and provincial ministers in promoting culture is commendable.” During the press conference, Federal Minister Syed Jamal Shah provided insights into heritage conservation efforts, mentioning ongoing projects related to historical forts, stopovers, and mosque embellishments. He expressed hope for continued support from the upcoming government for these initiatives. Jamal Shah also stressed the importance of language preservation, saying, “Our children are becoming estranged from their languages.
While English poems are remembered, contact with Urdu and native languages is diminishing. We are bringing together people of all languages in our institutions.” In a joint effort to promote cultural diversity, both ministers revealed plans for launching ‘Heritage TV,’ focusing on youth engagement and initiating calligraphy education in schools.
They also discussed the review of cultural infrastructure, aiming to transform unused spaces in Islamabad into cultural corners. Islamabad, a city of beauty, has yet to see any government make efforts to establish a museum. Despite this, we have received approval, and ongoing efforts involve collaboration with countries like the United States and France.
We aimed to develop 150 cinemas, accessible to the general public; we are striving to create cinemas that cater to a broader audience. Concluding the briefing, Jamal Shah urged the importance of celebrating culture daily, stating, “We must celebrate our culture daily. We are in a constant struggle to reclaim our heritage.
Every day should be Culture Day.” The Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Jamal Shah, closed the conference by emphasizing the need for the national agenda to reflect the richness and beauty of Pakistan’s diverse languages and cultures.
