Faiz Al-Najdi RIYADH — Pakistan Ambassador Manzoor Ul Haq urged the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia to bring discipline in to their lives and work for toward enhancing the soft image of their country. “I as the ambassador would focus on projecting our culture and soft image. Our culture is rich and diverse and we all must endeavor to introduce it to others in the Kingdom,” he said, while speaking at a musical evening which was hosted by the embassy's Chancery Hall recently. The ambassador said that he was aware that Pakistanis in the Kingdom missed their country and its varied forms of entertainment. “This musical program is intended to provide a little bit of entertainment so the community can feel at home and relaxed in the environment of the embassy. The embassy is all yours and we remain at your service. We are like one family here,” he said. Haq added: “In future you will see more events like this one which helps bring us together. I would invite more famous artists, performers and men of letters from Pakistan and host events with them.” He also talked about famous stage artist Zia Mohiuddin and noted social worker Amjad Saqib. The event kicked off with an introductory speech by Abbas Sarwar Qureshi, head of Chancery at the Embassy of Pakistan. He said that the intent of this musical evening was to provide entertainment to the Pakistani community and to provide them with an opportunity to sit down together in a homely atmosphere. The more than three-hour long music session witnessed impeccable performances by Asad Sikander and Zahir Shah. Sikander, a young and promising artist, started the concert with “Koee Tou Hae Jo Nizam-e-Husti Chalaa Rahaa Hae - Wohee Khudaa Hae,” penned by Muzaffar Warsi and originally sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He then lent his voice to Ustad Amanat Ali Khan's patriotic song “Aye Watan Piyare Watan Pak Watan.” Shah, a noted TV and Radio performer, began his stint at the concert with the famous patriotic song “Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhkhe Qadam Qadam Aabaad.” Shah then sang a number of songs in Urdu and Pashto, while Sikander sang popular numbers in Urdu and Punjabi. Qureshi thanked everyone for attending the event and making it a memorable musical evening. — SG
