Karachi: Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi hosted an event to unveil the third season of the children’s YouTube channel “Pakkay Dost.” The launch, held at Auditorium II, was marked by the presence of Sindh Minister for Culture Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah, and celebrated humorist Anwar Maqsood. Numerous distinguished figures from the literary and performing arts sectors attended the ceremony, including creator Bilal Maqsood, Sultana Siddiqui, and Mazhar Abbas.
Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, speaking at the event, pointed out the scarcity of children’s entertainment programs, particularly those in native languages. He expressed hope that “Pakkay Dost” will attain international acclaim by blending amusement with instructional content. Shah also recommended extending the show into other regional languages such as Balochi, Punjabi, and Pashto. He assured ongoing support from the Sindh Government, emphasizing the project’s role in bolstering Pakistan’s positive portrayal.
Muhammad Ahmed Shah, President of the Arts Council, lauded the initiative as an exceptional endeavor for young audiences. He acknowledged Bilal Maqsood’s dedication, highlighting his decision to prioritize this project over his musical pursuits. Shah extended gratitude to the Sindh Government for their unwavering backing.
Sultana Siddiqui, another speaker at the event, shared her longstanding desire for more children’s programming. She emphasized the potential of children’s content to generate awareness and educate the public, lamenting past struggles to secure sponsors for similar ventures.
Bilal Maqsood, the creator, expressed his excitement for the new season, emphasizing its role in nurturing a love for the Urdu language among young viewers. He pointed out the deficiency of high-quality Urdu content for children, compared to the prevalent foreign media. Maqsood stressed the significance of meaningful content in shaping young minds and expressed satisfaction in seeing his vision materialize into a national movement.
The upcoming season will introduce new elements, including lessons on road safety from Sarah Yusuf and guest appearances by Asim Azhar, Shehzad Roy, and Bilal Maqsood himself. Supported by the Sindh Government and other sponsors, “Pakkay Dost” is now an educational tool used in numerous schools, celebrating the Urdu language with humor and songs. Five new episodes will be released weekly on YouTube, with plans for a collaborative series with UNICEF. The show’s focus on local language and engaging format is set to profoundly impact children throughout Pakistan.