Ottawa, 16 May 2022 (TDI): The Pakistani High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, organized a qawwali performance on Saturday. The High Commission of Pakistan organized the event in collaboration with the Aga Khan Development Network in Canada.
The delegation of the Ismaili Imamat collaborated with the Pakistani High Commission to bring Pakistani art and music to the Canadian audience.
People from the Pakistani diaspora, local dignitaries, and members of the Diplomatic Corps attended the Qawwali Performance. Pakistani Qawwali artist Ustad Abdullah Manzoor Niazi led the performance.
Guests attending the Qawwali performance arranged last night in Ottawa by @PakinCanada_ in collaboration with @AKDNinCanada express their views about the event and the performance of qawwals led by Ustad Abdullah Manzoor Niazi@PkPublicDiplo @ForeignOfficePk @epwing_official pic.twitter.com/wytH9HJ8pI
— Pakistan High Commission Canada (@PakinCanada_) May 14, 2022
The High Commission organized the event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of official diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Qawwali is a form of Sufi music developed in the Subcontinent.
It is popular in Pakistan, India, and the South Asian diaspora around the world.
Moreover, the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan to Canada, Shahbaz Malik, addressed the gathering on the occasion. He lauded Canada’s vital support to Pakistan in the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition, he expressed his confidence that bilateral relations between Pakistan and Canada would expand further.
Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of cultural linkages between people and the role of people-to-people ties in strengthening bilateral relations.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Deputy Minister of Global Affairs Canada, Paul Thoppil, labeled the Pakistan-Canada relationship as based on strong people-to-people ties.
Likewise, he remarked that Pakistan is the fifth-largest source of immigration to Canada. He acknowledged the role of more than 250,000 Canadians of Pakistani origin living in Canada in Canadian affairs.
Additionally, Paul Thoppil celebrated the increase in bilateral commerce, which totaled up to 1.2 billion dollars in 2021.
Pakistan-Canada Relations
Pakistan and Canada are celebrating 75 years of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations this year. Both countries established relations in 1947 soon after Pakistan’s independence.
Moreover, Pakistan and Canada enjoy good relations in the spheres of economy, trade, education, development cooperation, and culture.
In 2020, Pakistan was Canada’s 36th-largest export destination for goods, with Canada-Pakistan bilateral trade reaching $1.11 billion.
Hassan Ahmed is an IR graduate with research and writing experience in IR theory and great power politics. He previously worked as a research fellow at IPDS and wrote for The Diplomatic Insight. His published works include "Reimagining US-Pakistan Ties" and a Book Review of "War Without Winners."
