In a significant move to boost cultural collaboration, Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Uzma Bukhari attended the China Film Festival, where she emphasized the deepening partnership between Pakistan and China in the field of arts and cinema.
The event, held with great enthusiasm, was graced by several dignitaries, including Chinese Consul General Mr. Zhao Shiren, Secretary Information Tahir Raza Hamdani, and Chairman of Al-Hamra Arts Council Razi Ahmed. The festival celebrated the strong bond between the two nations and opened new doors for cooperation in the film and cultural industries.
A Warm Welcome and Shared Aspirations
The Chinese Consul General warmly welcomed Uzma Bukhari and other Pakistani delegates, expressing his happiness over the increasing cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan. Speaking at the event, Uzma Bukhari praised China’s continued support across multiple sectors in Pakistan, including infrastructure, education, and now, cinema and culture.
She noted,Just as China has partnered with Pakistan in economic and development projects, its growing cooperation in the cultural sector is highly commendable. Film is a powerful medium to strengthen people-to-people ties, and we have an incredible opportunity ahead.
Reviving Pakistan’s Film Industry: A Major Priority
Highlighting the Punjab government’s commitment to reviving the film industry, Uzma Bukhari announced the formation of an eight-member committee dedicated to supporting and modernizing Pakistan’s cinema sector. She stressed that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s vision includes the revival of culture as a core component of provincial development.
The grant for the film industry reflects the Punjab Chief Minister’s special interest in cultural revival,” Bukhari said. “Our aim is to make the Pakistani film industry thrive, just like other sectors that are currently experiencing rapid growth.
She further suggested that Pakistan and China should co-produce feature films and animated movies, tapping into each other’s strengths to create content that resonates not only in Asia but globally.
Proposals for Deeper Collaboration
In her speech, Uzma Bukhari presented several proposals to enhance film and cultural collaboration between the two nations:
- Joint Workshops: She recommended that Lahore and Beijing host joint workshops for emerging talents, including actors, directors, producers, and technical experts.
- Bilateral Film Festivals: She proposed organizing joint film festivals in Lahore and Shanghai to showcase cinematic masterpieces from both countries.
- Cultural Exchange Programs: Bukhari encouraged initiatives that allow Pakistani artists to visit China and vice versa, promoting a better understanding of each other’s traditions, values, and storytelling techniques.
These initiatives will not only polish the skills of our artists but will also bring the people of Pakistan and China closer emotionally and culturally, she emphasized.
A Vision for the Future
Uzma Bukhari’s vision highlights the potential for Pakistan and China to build a thriving partnership in the entertainment industry. By combining Pakistan’s rich storytelling traditions with China’s advanced technology and infrastructure, both countries can create films that reflect shared values and global aspirations.
The Information Minister also stressed the need for modernizing cinema infrastructure within Pakistan, proposing incentives for private investors to build state-of-the-art cinemas and production houses. She emphasized that the youth should be encouraged to join the film industry through scholarships and specialized training programs.
Growing China-Pakistan Cultural Relations
Cultural diplomacy is becoming a new pillar of the Pakistan-China friendship, often referred to as higher than the mountains and deeper than the oceans. Initiatives like the China Film Festival serve as important milestones in strengthening mutual respect, trust, and affection between the two nations.
The audience at the festival enjoyed screenings of popular Chinese films, and Pakistani artists expressed their excitement at the prospect of greater collaboration.
As Uzma Bukhari concluded her address, she expressed optimism that the cultural ties between Pakistan and China would continue to grow stronger, helping to create lasting peace, friendship, and prosperity through the powerful medium of cinema.
