The event was widely attended by diplomats, socialites, members of business community and journalists....
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No celebration of Pakistan’s 76th Independence Day would be complete without acknowledging the immense contributions made to society by its acclaimed talented and hardworking individuals. Such was the case at a prestigious event organised by the Diplomatic Business Club, helmed by Mohammed Umar Shah which, held at Marriott hotel, Karachi, recently. The event was widely attended by diplomats, socialites, members of business community and journalists.
The grand celebration included a ramp walk by foreign diplomats and honorary Consul Generals (adorned in Pakistan’s national dress); awards distribution, a bridal fashions runway presentation by upcoming fashion designer Zubair Shah and a segment featuring traditional, cultural dance performances.
Umar Shah welcomed the Governor of Sindh Kamran Tessori and Commissioner Karachi, Iqbal Memon, and other distinguished guests. The evening presented a blend of tradition and progress by fostering connections and driving business synergies. Speakers called upon the business community and the public to unite and collaborate for the advancement of the nation’s economy.
The fashion parade featuring foreign diplomats in Pakistan’s awami dress by ‘Diners’, and their female counterparts attired in the costumes of the countries of origin opened the evening’s proceedings. The Consul Generals of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, and Sri Lanka, and Honorary Consul Generals of Morocco, Yemen, Philippines, Suriname and Ethiopia walked the length of the ramp while waving the Pakistan national flag in the spirit of bonhomie and camaraderie.
A highpoint of the evening was the Best Achievement Awards which honoured entrepreneurs from the business community and the fashion fraternity and comprised outstanding individuals who have etched an everlasting mark in diverse fields and various categories. The lineup included visionary business leaders such as Aqeel Karim Dhedhi (AKD Group); Mrs Sadia Rashid (Hamdard Waqf Laboratories); Rafiq Pardesi (HMR Group). Other notables were Sirajuddin Aziz (Banking Ombudsman); Younus Dagha (Chairman, FPCCI Advisory Board), Prof Dr Huma Baqai (MITE), Muhammad Ahmad Shah (Arts Council of Pakistan), Faisal Qureshi (Best Fashion Editor) Diners (Best Clothing Brand); Azmat Shigehuki Ataka (Japanese Pakistani), Maulana Abdul Sattar (Baitussalam Welfare Trust), and Sub-Inspector Hazir Rehman, all of whom were recognised for their remarkable contributions in their respective fields.
The most-awaited segment of the show was the runway presentation of Pakistan’s colourful bridal and groomswear by designer Zubair Shah, who has made a name for himself in the field in a relatively short span of time. He presented a highly curated and stylised trousseau collection of fabulous bridals and groom wear in a wide array of festive colours, intricate embellishments and silhouettes.
Celebrated models Maham Akram, Bebee, Ayesha Khan, Ruby Butt, Ramsha Khan and Rabea Shoeb and male models Aasif Rehmaan, Rao Zeeshan, Adil Kahout, Umair Farooq, Muhammad Kabir and Syed Asif walked for the designer Zubair in the extended fashion segment, swaying to Shakar Wanda Ve by Asrar from the film Ho Mann Jahan. The runway presentation of heirloom pieces was appreciated by the distinguished guests. The grooming of the male models was by Ilyas Salon and Depilex Institute and the salon handled the hair and makeup of the female models, whereas show direction and choreography was done by Umer Mushtaq.
Last but certainly not least, a visually-engaging and enriching Philippines cultural dance show drew the ceremony to a close, and opened the doors to the dining area where a lavish spread of Pakistani food awaited the culinary appreciation of the esteemed guests.
