KARACHI: First Lady Aseefa BhuttoZardari on Thursday inaugurated the second edition of the Diplomatic Bazaar, which brought together more than 25 countries and gave them a platform to showcase their traditionalcuisines, handicrafts, arts and cultural heritage.
The event titled ‘Confluence A Celebration of Human Dignity, Friendship and Universal Brotherhood’ was organised by the Foreign Affairs Liaison Office (FALO), Karachi, at the State Guest House.
The event was attended by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the business community and the general public.
The first lady also visited the stalls set upby participating countries and interacted with diplomats and explored the traditional cuisines, handicrafts, arts and cultural heritage showcased by the participating diplomatic missions.
Cultural performances by Pakistan and participating countries were also part of the event.
‘Suffering of innocent children in Gaza can’t be ignored’ Addressing the gathering, Ms BhuttoZardari called for greater human solidarity, compassion and understanding, stressing that scientific and technological progress must go hand in hand with humanity’s ability to care for one another.
She said that the suffering of innocent children in Gaza and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as well as elsewhere in the world, cannot be ignored while celebrating friendship and international cooperation.
Emphasising that human dignity cannot be selective and compassion cannot be conditional, she said lasting peace is not possible without justice.She also highlighted the extraordinary pace of scientific and technological progress, particularly in artificial intelligence, which is transforming how people learn, work, communicate and shape their future.
However, she pointed out that despite humanity’s growing technological capabilities, millions continue to face poverty, hunger, conflict and displacement. ‘We are teaching machines to think, but have we learned to care for one another? We are making technology more intelligent, but are we making humanity more compassionate?’ Referring to the vision of her mother, slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, she said she had envisioned a Pakistan that would stand among nations with confidence and dignity, champion dialogue over confrontation and contribute to lasting peace in the region and beyond.
She said this vision continues to guide Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts through building bridges of understanding, resolving differences through dialogue and pursuing a future in which peace, cooperation and shared prosperity prevail over conflict and division.
‘Karachi reflects Pakistan’s diversity and generosity’ She said Karachi, with its many languages, cultures and communities, reflects Pakistan’s diversity, resilience and generosity. She observed that while cultures might differ, people’s hopes and aspirations are remarkably similar, with everyone seeking peace, opportunities, security and a better future for their children.
She expressed hope that the connections established through the event would open new opportunities for young people, women entrepreneurs, artists and businesses.
Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon appreciated the initiative and reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to promoting cultural and economic engagement with international partners.
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Sami Abdullah Salim Al Khanjari, Consul General of Oman, highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and mutual understanding in bringing people and nations closer.
He noted that initiatives such as the Diplomatic Bazaar provide an opportunity for the diplomatic community to engage with the public beyond formal diplomatic settings, allowing countries to share their traditions, heritage and cultural identity.
He also appreciated the platform for promoting friendship, strengthening people-to-people connections and fostering a spirit of cooperation among participating countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Additional Foreign Secretary Muhammad Khalid Jamali conveyed the greetings of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar.
Earlier, FALO Director General Muhammad Irfan Soomro welcomed the guests and highlighted the significance of the event in bringing diplomacy closer to the people and strengthening engagement between the diplomatic community and the public.
At the conclusion of the event, the first lady distributed awards among the participating countries in recognition of their participation. She also joined the cake-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion and celebrate the spirit of friendship and togetherness.