Pakistan is cradle of art, culture: president

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain Wednesday has said that Pakistan is a cradle of art and culture adding that artists and calligraphers are our valuable asset.
Addressing the launching ceremony of a calligraphy book ‘Allama bil Qalam’, at Foreign Office in Islamabad, that president commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for taking the initiative of publishing this exquisite book noting that Quranic verses are presented in an excellent manner through the art of calligraphy. “Foreign Office has highlighted positive image of Pakistan through the publication of this book”, he remarked. He said that ‘Allama bil Qalam’ is an excellent reflection of Pakistan’s culture and history.
He further said that the book would be a guide to the youth in the art of calligraphy and an asset to the country.
The president said that the art of calligraphy occupied an eminent position in Islamic and Pakistani culture noting that iconic calligraphists like Sadequain and Gulgee were born in Pakistan. He observed that Mehrgarh, Indus valley and Gandhara heritage made Pakistan prominent in the whole world.
He felicitated the artists and called for organising similar exhibitions for the promotion of calligraphy. He hoped that the calligraphists would continue their good work in future as well. He assured them of patronage of the government in this regard.
The ceremony was attended, among others, by Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security & Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Minister for Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage Senator Pervez Rasheed, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, federal ministers and senior officials.
Later in another meeting with Pakistan’s ambassador-designate to Belarus Masood Khan Raja, The president emphasized that Pakistan was keen to forge closer ties with Belarus in all fields including trade, economy, defence, and culture.
Talking to Pakistan’s ambassador-designate to Belarus, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr, he said that the ambassador has the unique honour of being Pakistan’s first envoy to Minsk, Belarus. He hoped that the ambassador-designate would make all possible efforts to deepen Pakistan’s relations with Belarus.
He stressed on the need for initiating joint ventures in various fields particularly in textile and tractor assembly between the two countries. He noted that the recent visit of the prime minister to Minsk was very successful and impressed upon the ambassador to follow up on the implementation of MoUs/agreements signed during the visit on priority basis.
The president observed that there was a lot of scope for enhancement of trade between the two countries and called for the need to work in this area to push the bilateral trade to new heights to the mutual benefit.
He said that better connectivity and direct air flights could boost bilateral trade. He called for greater people-to-people contacts and exchange of cultural and business delegations between the two countries to further expand bilateral relations.
He advised the ambassador to strive for developing cooperation between the two countries at the regional and international fora. He also wished the ambassador-designate success in his new assignment.