Marriyum for projection of Pakistan’s positive image

• PTV, Radio Pakistan directed to generate thematic content, produce short movies, documentaries

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that softer and positive aspects of the Pakistani society and the national ethos are needed to be promoted and disseminated across the globe.

While chairing a meeting here on Friday, she said that the image of any country emanated from its culture, heritage and tourism, and Pakistan was a land of splendour comprising deserts, mountains, glaciers, sprawling meadows, lush green grasslands and sea.

She said that each region of Pakistan had its own peculiar characteristics. She emphasised the need to showcase the multicultural mosaic of the Pakistani society and its geographical diversity at the international forums to present a true picture of Pakistan to the international fraternity.

She said that promoting and building an image of Pakistan was one of the prime responsibilities of her ministry. Under the guidance and vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the ministry was working hard on the revival of the film industry as the movies and cinemas were the powerful mediums to promote cultural landscape within and outside the country.

The meeting reviewed progress regarding preparations for the 70th Independence Day celebrations with a special emphasis on its publicity aspect at the global level. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Canada Tariq Azeem who was present at the meeting said that the people and places of Pakistan should be promoted through various publicity materials including documentaries and short films.

He also sought ministry’s assistance in organising cultural events in Ottawa for the projection of a softer image of Pakistan. Marriyum assured her full support and assistance in this regard and directed the departments concerned for effective coordination and liaison with Pakistan’s High Commission in Canada for arranging the transmission of the required publicity material to the mission.

The state minister said that exhibition of Pakistani cultural heritage at Canada in connection with 70th anniversary would prove to be a landmark event in promoting softer and better image of Pakistan abroad. She emphasised the need for engaging Pakistani community in Canada to make these events a resounding success.

She also directed the Pakistan Television and the Radio Pakistan to use their archives to generate thematic content besides producing short movies and documentaries which reflect and promote softer and real image of Pakistan.

The meeting was attended by Tariq Azeem, directors general of External Publicity Wing and Internal Publicity Wing of the ministry, Principal Information Officer of the Press Information Department and other senior officials of the ministry.