Islamabad, 17 January 2023 (TDI): Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, on Tuesday called on Caretaker Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Jamal Shah, at the National Heritage and Culture Division to discuss the bilateral cultural cooperation between the two countries.
In Particular, Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin noted the successful holding of the 12th meeting of the Kazakh-Pakistani Intergovernmental Commission which took place from December 20 to 21 2023.
The two individuals discussed several areas of cooperation during their meeting, with a particular emphasis on enhancing cultural exchange and people-to-people contact between Kazakhstan and Pakistan.
The cultural exchange, especially in the fields of art, culture, heritage, film, and cinema, cultivates deeper and better understanding between the people of both countries.
Bilateral cultural cooperation
The Minister for Heritage and Culture said that Pakistan attaches great significance to its relations with Kazakhstan which share a mutual vision of regional cooperation.
He further added that Pakistan and Kazakhstan were enjoying a friendly and brotherly relationship and a lot of potential existed to further enhance it between the two countries. He said that this region is very rich in cultural heritage and beautiful terrains.
Continuing his remarks, Federal Minister Jamal Shah said that the film and entertainment industry is another important sector, and we should collaborate in film and cinema to further enhance bilateral cultural relations.
Moreover, he stated that the second phase of China China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) cultural caravan would be organized, transversing the economic corridor to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Considering the cultural caravan, the Minister said that all the artists from the Central Asian States including Kazakhstan would be specially invited to be part of the CPEC cultural caravan which is expected to play a key role in promoting cultural connectivity.
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan appreciated the warm reception given to him by the Federal Minister. He applauded the friendly ties between the two brotherly countries and assured him of future collaboration.
The Ambassador discussed future collaborations between both countries across diverse sectors including cultural exchanges, art, cultural heritage, museums, and film.
During their interaction, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of relations in the fields of art, culture, cinema, museums, and possible collaboration between Kazakhstan and Pakistan. He added that there was tremendous scope for uplifting cultural cooperation between both countries.
The Ambassador also announced that Kazakhstan would soon organize a film screening at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).
CPEC Cultural Caravan
Federal Minister for Heritage and Culture, Syed Jamal Shah announced in October that his ministry is planning to organize a cultural caravan by the end of 2023 which will aim at transcending economic ties and strengthening cultural bonds between Pakistan, China, and the Central Asian States.
The Cultural excursion under the title “CPEC Cultural Caravan 2023” will be composed of diverse groups of Pakistani Chinese, and Central Asian artists, musicians, photographers, anthropologists, writers, and filmmakers.
The Minister made this announcement while addressing an award ceremony for the film Ba’tie Girl held in the newly renovated auditorium of Pakistan Embassy College Beijing (PECB).
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Jamal Shah informed that the caravan would start from Xi’an, China, and travel through several countries before concluding in Islamabad. The caravan would travel through Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, UAE, Oman, Gwadar, and Karachi before culminating in Islamabad.
Furthermore, the Minister added that the CPEC cultural caravan would be documented to reflect upon the land, life, and the people along China Pakistan Economic Corridor and Silk Route covering Central Asian countries during December last year.
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