Pakistan to support Saudi Arabia in culture promotion : Fawad

ISLAMABAD, Mar 29 (APP):Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Friday said Pakistan would support Saudi Arabia in promotion of culture and had already
offered services of Pakistani artists, calligraphers, actors and film directors for
enhancing its cultural activities.
Talking to media, he said Pakistan would collaborate with the new Culture Ministry
of Saudi Arabia and assist it in fostering cultural activities.
He said Pakistan had a 5000-year old cultural evolution and its institutions of
culture were vibrant, the performing arts academies were strong and Pakistan
could support Saudi Arabia in this field.
“We have offered to provide services of Pakistani artists, calligraphers, actors,
film directors and the Saudi Minister of Culture warmly responded.”
He said he had come to Saudi Arabia on the invitation of Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah to attend the launch of vision of his ministry. He said Prince Badr bin Abdulllah had a great relationship with Pakistan, adding since Imran Khan assumed the office of Prime Minister, there was a new warmth in the relationship of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
He said Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman visited Pakistan and the his
words spoken for Pakistan, were unprecedented. The Crown Prince said he
was ambassador of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia which showed the strength of relationship between the leadership of the two countries, he observed.
During the recent tensions after the Pulwama incident, the role of Saudi
Arabia was appreciable as it helped reduce tensions and Saudi Foreign
Minister visited Pakistan and India and played his due role, he added.
He said besides the political and strategic ties, Pakistan and Saudi
Arabia were tied in bonds of culture and religion, so Saudi Arabia was
keen to develop relations with Pakistan and culture would be a
foundation.
He told that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan held a concert in Saudi Arabia last
year and now a big fair will be organized in April to the enjoyment of
Pakistani community.
The minister said that exchange of dramas with Arabic and Urdu dubbing,
will take place between the two countries. The Saudi minister had promised
to take up the matter of availability of Pakistani dramas and entertainment
on the flights of Saudi Airlines.
Fawad said the condition of visa and fees for Saudi citizens had been
abolished and now they could get visa at the airport and this would help
promote tourism in Pakistan.
Tourism from Arab countries would be important in boosting the economy
of Pakistan, he said adding Pakistani embassy in Riyadh was performing its
role and would implement the visa policy which would bring more Saudi
citizens to Pakistan, increasing people-to-people contacts.
He said Pakistan established contacts with the Arab world, right after
the independence and Saudi Arabia was among those few countries which
recognized Pakistan immediately and the ties were established in 1951.
The ties became strong during the period of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
and now Imran Khan took the relations to further height, he added.
The minister said in 1971, Pakistan was the third biggest film maker in
the world, however unfortunately in 2005 not a single film was made,
adding, “Now we are reviving the cinema and presently we have 187
film screens but these are not enough.”
Few films were being made in Pakistan, however, Saudi Arabia and
China had agreed to allow screening of Pakistani movies in their
cinemas.”
He said Saudi Culture minister wanted cooperation of Pakistani
cinema owners in setting up cinema halls in Riyadh and Jeddah.
He said quality of Pakistani dramas was good and quality of
films had also improved and some of them had done good
business.
When Pakistani films were screened alongside Indian films in
local cinemas, the Pakistani films did better business. For examples,
two films “Punjab Nahi Jaoun Gi” and “Teefa in Trouble” did business
of Rs 520 million and Rs 460 million respectively and Indian movies
were not even near them in terms of business, he explained.
“Pakistani films should be made. Our effort is to provide an
environment where films are made and cinemas are opened.
Ultimately contacts are established and soft image is developed
with cinema, music, film and culture.”
“India and United States were ruling the world of cinema and
Pakistan has to create its space. Unfortunately after 1971, our
cinema is on decline and for the first time, we have tried to get
the cinema on its feet,” he added.
Fawad appreciated the two million strong Pakistani community
in Saudi Arabia for its enormous contribution to economy of
Pakistan as they send home one fourth of the total remittances.