Copyright pakobserver
LAHORE – Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said that a draft for the Quran recitation competitions is being prepared and would also be shared with the Iranian Consulate. Azma proposed that, similar to Iqbal Day celebrations, such recitation competitions should be jointly organised by both Pakistan and Iran to promote spiritual and cultural collaboration. She expressed these views while hosting a dinner in honour of an Iranian delegation. Azma Bokhari announced plans to hold a joint Quran recitation competition between Pakistan and Iran during the upcoming Ramadan. The delegation was led by Dr. Ahmad Nowrouzi, Director for Overseas Affairs, and included Abbas Mohammad Nezhad, Murtaza Shamsi, and Ali Mohammadi Nafchi. Senior officials, including Information Secretary Tahir Raza Hamdani, Additional Secretary Culture Owais Nawaz, DGPR Fareed Ahmad, and Alhamra Chairman Razi Ahmad, also attended the event. Minister Bokhari presented commemorative shields to the members of the Iranian delegation and highlighted the strong cultural and religious ties between the two neighbouring countries. The minister also discussed film and cultural cooperation between Pakistan and Iran. She revealed that Pakistani producers are eager to make a film on Allama Iqbal, suggesting that the project could be developed as a joint venture between the two nations. “If Pakistani and Iranian filmmakers work together on a common theme, they can produce a film of international quality,” she said. Bokhari further announced that the Punjab government has approved the establishment of a Film City, and work on the project will begin soon. She added that Iran’s potential collaboration and expertise would be presented before the Film City committee for consideration. Encouraging Iranian investment in Punjab, Bokhari invited Iranian entrepreneurs to open carpet display centres, pointing out the high demand for Iranian carpets in Pakistan and the vast investment opportunities in this sector. On behalf of the Iranian delegation, Dr. Ahmad Nowrouzi said that IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) manages Iran’s largest Film City, equipped with modern technology and trained professionals. He assured full cooperation in the Punjab Film City project and invited Pakistani professionals to visit IRIB’s Film City for training and exchange programmes. Dr. Nowrouzi also expressed Iran’s willingness to support Quran recitation competitions in Pakistan and termed mutual cultural and film-related exchanges as essential for strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
