Pakistani Ambassador Emphasizes Cultural Diplomacy at Riyadh

Ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Farooq, recently participated in a panel discussion titled “Shared Voices: Literature and Art as Bridges of Culture and Understanding” at the annual Riyadh Book Fair. The event, which attracted a significant turnout of Saudi youth, literature enthusiasts, and civic society members, provided a platform to explore cultural diplomacy as a means to strengthen Pakistan-Saudi relations.

During the discussion, Ambassador Farooq highlighted the deep cultural affinities shared by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, noting that these connections serve as a foundation for further cooperation. He pointed out that while the two nations have historically maintained close ties, cultural diplomacy presents new opportunities for enhanced engagement.

The panel also featured other notable figures, including Suljuk Tarar, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, and Ameena Seyyid, Founder Director of the Adab Festival. They discussed the importance of literature as a unifying force and called for quality translations between Arabic and Urdu to foster better mutual understanding.

Ambassador Farooq indicated that the Pakistani embassy is actively collaborating with the Saudi Ministry of Culture through various cultural commissions, with several promising projects in development. Ameena Seyyid shared her experience of launching the Karachi Literary Festival and encouraged the participation of Saudi authors and publishing houses in future literary events in Pakistan.

The discussion concluded with each panelist delivering special messages aimed at inspiring Saudi youth to engage with literature and the arts.