ISLAMABAD, May 19 (DNA): Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening cultural diplomacy and international cultural engagement.
The minister expressed these views during a meeting with Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Pakistan Dr. Maen Khreasat, who called on him at his office in Islamabad to discuss matters of mutual interest, particularly cultural cooperation between Pakistan and Jordan.
During the meeting, the ambassador formally extended an invitation on behalf of Jordan’s Ministry of Culture to the minister for participation in the 40th Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts, scheduled to be held from July 22 to August 02 in the ancient city of Jerash.
Accepting the invitation, the minister said that under existing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Pakistan and Jordan, Pakistan would send a cultural troupe to Jordan, while a Jordanian cultural troupe would also be invited to visit Pakistan to further enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
The ambassador appreciated Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and lauded traditional performing arts, including Khattak and Balochi dances.
He also expressed admiration for Qawwali, sharing that he had personally experienced the art form in Multan. In response, the minister assured that a Qawwali performance would be included in Pakistan’s cultural troupe for the festival.
Secretary, Ministry of National Heritage and Culture Division, Asad Rehman Gillani, was also present during the meeting.
He briefed the ambassador on the newly established Gandhara Heritage Gallery and the ongoing exhibition highlighting Pakistan’s ancient Buddhist civilization. The ambassador expressed keen interest and assured his visit to the exhibition.
The minister also informed the ambassador about the newly inaugurated Gandhara Centre at Quaid-i-Azam University, dedicated to the research and preservation of Gandhara heritage.
The meeting concluded with a mutual reaffirmation of commitment to strengthening cultural diplomacy, fostering mutual understanding, and expanding cultural exchanges between Pakistan and Jordan.
