‘Aik Huner Aik Nagar’ opening soon in Saidpur

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to immediately open an outlet of Aik-Huner-Aik-Nagar (AHAN), a subsidiary of the Saidpur Village Productions Ministry, to market exclusive products of AHAN under their brand as a part of a poverty alleviation initiative for rural artisans. The prime minister said this in a meeting of AHAN held at the PM House, which was attended by Productions Minister Anwer Ali Cheema, Foreign Minister and AHAN Chairperson Hina Rabbani Khar, former secretary Shahab Khwaja and senior officials of the Finance Ministry, Productions Ministry and AHAN.
The prime minister also said the Board of Directors of AHAN should be appointed immediately, and the selection of members should justify their expertise in the field of history of artifacts, knowledge of entrepreneurship and marketing. He directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to arrange exhibitions of the products of AHAN during executives’ visits to foreign countries. He added that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Commercial Attaches and the Pakistan Missions would play an effective role in making such events worthwhile for the people of host countries. He said foreign missions and Commercial Attaches would use their contacts to market the products of AHAN in their areas of accreditation on a durable basis. The foreign minister, during the meeting, called upon AHAN to ensure quality and competitiveness in their products because these imperatives not only ensured sustainability, but also generated good will for the countries, as the products linked the county with a soft image. She said quality products in the international market optimised cultural diplomacy, which was the finest form of diplomacy. Briefing the prime minister, AHAN officials said 33,000 artisans across Pakistan had been targeted and engaged by AHAN through 79 projects covering 55 districts. AHAN has initiated 26 projects to tap more artisans, and in this regard 89 organisations have been set up. A new outlet would be opened in Lahore very soon, said officials.