Gauhar Zahid Malik
MUSCAT
Pakistani community in Oman hosted the much-anticipated Pakistan Festival Friday evening to pay tributes to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on the occasion of 49th Renaissance Day, under the auspices of Pakistani Mission at the Oman Convention Centre.
The distinguished member of the Royal Family, His Highness Sayyid Faris Fatik Al Said graced the occasion as Chief Guest whereas Ambassador of Pakistan in Oman Ali Javed hosted the event as a gift for ‘Pak-Oman Friendship’ that spans over 5,000 years with an established history of exchanges.
The mega event owed its success to day-and-night efforts of Ambassador Javed and his team that not only took every care of the guests from Pakistan but also ensured perfect arrangements to make the event a big success.
More than 250,000 Pakistanis are working and living in Oman contributing to country’s economic, social and infrastructure uplift.
The fact that overseas Pakistanis working in Oman sent during past three years remittances worth US$750 million further highlights Oman’s key role in Pakistan’s economic uplift.
Apart from the local Omani and the Pakistani community, more than 24 eminent Pakistanis hailing from media academia, education, showbiz, culture, art and other fields attended the event. It was an illuminating hall with 500 seating capacity.
Moreover, 20 volunteers and media teams of Times Of Oman, Oman Observer and Muscat Daily helped organize and cover the event in a befitting manner.
The festival was held in partnership with an enterprising Pakistani resident Qamar Riaz, who moved to Oman in 2007.
The event also drew overwhelming interest of Pakistani and Omani community from both within and outside Oman.
The organizers received over 1200 requests for attendance against a 500 seating capacity within two days of beginning of registration.
Omani singing sensation Haitham Rafi captivated the audience with a medley in Urdu, Sindhi, Pashto and Baloch languages and literally left the audience spellbound.
Internationally-renowned Ghazal Artist Ustad Hamid Ali Khan and mesmerising Sitar player Wajih Nizami also performed at the festival.
The participants of the festival wished His Highness a long, cherished and healthy life as the event also marked His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said’s ascension to the throne some 49 years ago in July 1970.
Not only people of Oman but of Pakistan as well also are joining in prayers for the long, healthy and cherished life of His Majesty the Sultan under whose rule the country has achieved goals of iconic progress, peace and prosperity.
A dinner was hosted by the Pakistani Ambassador for close to 100 guests including participating Artists, organisers and partners of the event that included Stones World, AZ Engineers, Shining Star Int’l, Khurshid Trading, Mohammed Riaz & Partners, Sohar Poly Industries, Stars Light, Al Ghazaal Rice, Al Barakah Steel, Al Haseena Jewelry, Al Asfar Petroleum, Brothers International, Gulf Neon Signs and Salam Air.
Ambassador Ali Javed also announced appointment of Doctor Vinod Kumar Panjwani and Asad Rahman to the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC – launched March 23, 2019) for Interfaith Harmony & National Integration and Gilgit Baltistan Community, respectively.
Since the first day of his rule, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said has been very keen on making the Omani citizen a living organic part in the country’s development process and to achieve the objects of lasting peace and progress in the country, said one of the organizers while talking to Pakistan Observer.
