ISLAMABAD: The Serena Hotel hosted the launch of Zoe Viccaji`s latest single, ¼zad` under its Cultural Diplomacy Initiative before a diverse group of music lovers, including members of the diplomatic community, government and the media.

Serena Hotels CEO Aziz Boolani said: `The theme of the video is particularly relevant as we approach 14th August our Independence Day as it carries the message of women`s empowerment and self-realization.

This launch is not to promote the video so much as to project the right image of Pakistan showcasing the beauty of the rivers, mountains, and heritage sites.

The music video was shot in the northern regions of Pakistan and features some of the most spectacular locations and tourist attractions in the country, including the Attabad and Rama lakes, the Deosai Plains, the Manthoka Waterfalls, the Sarfaranga Desert, the Altit and Shigar forts, and Gulmit.

The music video features a girl on a solitary journey through Pakistan, who in the course of her road trip finds and frees herself.Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry called the video a `delightful and novel way` to highlight Pakistan`s natural beauty. `One of the ambassadors has just whispered to me that I must send this video to every Pakistani embassy.

This cultural diplomacy is truly purposeful, meaningful and in the spirit of responsible citizenship,` he said.

Zoe Viccaji, an acclaimed vocalist who gained recognition through Coke Studio, has recently been collaborating with different artists. She said: `This song has been a year in the making and initially it was planned on a very small scale. We were able to incorporate so much more and experience practically all of Gilgit-Baltistan.

My objective was in part to explore my own freedom and my freedom in travelling alone which when shared adds to the idea of female empowerment.

She then entertained the audience with a rendition of `Dil Dil Pakistan`.

The live music was followed by a dinner consisting of Tasmanian salmon tartare topped with shrimps, Angus beef tenderloin served on braised short ribs and Peking Duck and mushroom spring rolls.

The pièce de résistance was a mango saboyon served with lady finger cookies.