Karachi, In a joint press conference held at Haseena Moin Hall, Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Syed Jamal Shah, and Provincial Minister for Information, Minority Affairs, and Social Protection, President of Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, underscored the importance of promoting a positive global image of Pakistan. During the briefing, both ministers discussed their commitment to showcasing Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and fostering cultural unity.
According to Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Muhammad Ahmed Shah welcomed Federal Minister Jamal Shah and expressed his pleasure at their collaboration. He stated, “We are here today, two individuals with a common identity – culture and literature. By a stroke of fate, we both have become ministers. Jamal Shah, being the Federal Minister for Culture and National Heritage, and I, serving as the Provincial Minister for Information, Minority Affairs, and Social Protection.”
Acknowledging Jamal Shah’s significant contributions to the film industry and the arts, Ahmed Shah noted, “Jamal Shah is well-known to all as a filmmaker, actor, and connoisseur of the arts. He recently visited Hyderabad, reinforcing the cultural bond with his presence.” Ahmed Shah continued, “We share a close relationship with Jamal Shah. He has formulated policies for the film industry and worked extensively for the promotion of culture. Our aim is to showcase Pakistan’s positive image globally, and Jamal Shah’s presence adds value to this mission.”
Jamal Shah, in his address, stressed the pivotal role culture plays in uniting people and connecting societies. He emphasized, “Culture is the only weapon to connect everyone. If we carry our culture with us and present it to the world, the dynamics change. The lack of appreciation for culture leads to the losses we witness today.”
Jamal Shah also highlighted his achievements in cultural preservation, including the formulation of policies for the Theater Academy and Music Academy. He mentioned ongoing heritage conservation projects, such as historical forts, stopovers, and mosque embellishments. Jamal Shah expressed hope for continued support from the upcoming government for these initiatives.
Furthermore, he emphasized the need for language preservation, stating, “Our children are becoming estranged from their languages. While English poems are remembered, contact with Urdu and native languages is diminishing. We are bringing together people of all languages in our institutions.”
Both ministers revealed plans for launching ‘Heritage TV’ to engage youth and initiating calligraphy education in schools as part of their efforts to promote cultural diversity. They also discussed the review of cultural infrastructure, aiming to transform unused spaces in Islamabad into cultural centers.
Concluding the briefing, Jamal Shah urged the importance of celebrating culture daily, stating, “We must celebrate our culture daily. We are in a constant struggle to reclaim our heritage. Every day should be Culture Day.”
Federal Minister Jamal Shah closed the conference by emphasizing the need for the national agenda to reflect the richness and beauty of Pakistan’s diverse languages and cultures.