New cultural initiatives planned during visit Pakistan year

Cultural Desk, NSN (whenever we hear back from the editors), Islamabad:

In light of the government initiative to promote world knowledge about Pakistan's enlightenment with the visit Pakistan year 2007, several steps have been taken to promote Pakistan's positive image. "We have to fight back all this negativity coming from beyond our borders", said an official. He noted that Pakistan would like to maintain peaceful relations with all its neighbors, just like its southern border. "There has hardly been a storm in the last decade, since President Musharraf took office", pointed out the official. He suggested other nations take note of the sea's calm tendencies.

At the press conference scheduled to expose to the press hard and firm facts about the visit Pakistan initiative, the minitry of tourism and culture officials pointed to the recent festivals (see agency reports), including occasions such as Basant (See agency report) which are pre-islamic traditions and serve to moderately elighten the world about Pakistan's diverse culture. They also pointed to the improvements in travel infrastructure in Pakistan (see agency reports), and additional funds provided for the upkeep of historical monuments. The mechanism for maintaining these monuments is currently being streamlined (see earlier agency report). The government is also working in providing public with the motivation to improve rail travel (see agency reports). "We save on the expenses for removal of old tracks by involving the people", said a railways official. He added that the government was environmentally sensitive and cares deeply about recycling.

Readers will also note the recent popularity of Pakistani theatre, especially since the authorities are overriding objections from militant islamist hard line fundamentalist tribal leaders' objections and allowing upto six songs in all plays, well over and above the legal limit of three. "We would like to reduce the red tape, and make it easier for artists to perform", said an official. In some cases, the correspondent notes, authorities have looked the other ways even at artists performing in half-sleeves. "Given the foreign audience intended, we are trying to project tolerance, and moderation", said the official, who also warned against publishing the fact in this report. "Some may think you are acting against Pakistan's interest", the official noted quietly.

Pakistan has recently seen good news (see agency report) that officials believe will provide useful legal precedent for protecting Pakistan's interests in the future. "We believe we have a stronger case than serbia", said a foreign office spokesman, "in the matters of partition, Bangladesh, North West Frontier Province, Baltistan, and Baluchistan". He said Pakistan would use its full diplomatic prowess if FATA or Waziristan ever become an issue.

Pakistan is the fifth largest receipient of US aid. That aid has been under some threat, especially since vice-president Chaney's visit where he found that Pakistan's president did not grasp the hard facts firmly. Pakistan is the largest buyer of chinese arms, mostly funded through US aid. With porous, hard to police, mountainous, sparsely populated and unfriendly northern, eastern, and western borders, Pakistan considers the purchases essential to maintaining an impregnable defense against hegemonic neighbors.

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To come: Pakistan plans to promote goat rearing as exhibition sport at the Asian Games