The Embassy of Pakistan and Rising Leaders jointly hosted
the renowned Pakistani author F.S. Aijazuddin to Washington, D.C., for
a special presentation titled “A Kaleidoscope of Pakistani Culture.”
DCM Mohammad Sadiq served as the MC for the evening and introduced Ambassador
Jehangir Karamat as well as provided background information on Aijazuddin.
Ambassador Karamat appreciated that Aijazuddin could take out time of
his busy schedule to visit the Embassy. Aijazuddin spoke before many distinguished
and very interested American and Pakistani guests.
F.S. Aijazuddin is an accomplished author covering History,
Culture, Art and Foreign Policy of Pakistan, publishing 11 books since
1986. In 1994, he became the Honorary British Consul at Lahore. Also,
in 1997, he was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire). He is the
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Lahore Museum, an International
Councilor of the Asia Society (New York) and the Country Representative
for Asia House, London.
Aijazuddin presented Pakistan through a lens: “a
lens through which early visitors, warriors, administrators, artists and
photographers visited our country, the lens of history through which the
past became the present.” He showed about 80 slides, “each
a rectangle of history, each an element of the ‘Kaleidoscope of
Pakistan’ up to 1947.” According to Aijazuddin, Pakistan was
a “cradle of civilization” and is located “in a very
dangerous region, surrounded not only by enemies, but by friends.”
For this reason, Pakistan contains “residue from Empires”
that ruled in the past several hundred years.
Aijazuddin explained how three major empires that came
into power in Pakistan, the Moguls, the Sikhs, and the British, all have
influenced Pakistan in lasting ways. He spoke with incredible witticism
describing certain unique traits derived from each empire. The Moguls
gave Pakistan the gates still being used today in Lahore; The Sikhs gave
Pakistan the legacy of the long-lasting dispute over Kashmir; and the
British gave Pakistan government buildings implanting Western democratic
institutions as well as jails.
Aijazuddin effectively captured the attention of the
audience throughout his presentation and spurred much interest for questions
at the end of his talk. One interesting question asked was whether or
not all the buildings and monuments implemented during the three respective
rules are still in use. Aijazuddin explained that 99% of all those buildings
are still in use and that it is important to pay tribute to such monuments
and gifts. Through the use of such buildings and monuments, Pakistan is
really seen as a “residue from empires.” Ending on a positive
note, according to Aijazuddin, “it is important as a nation to have
confidence and to move forward and progress as we are.” The guests
were very impressed with F.S. Aijazuddin’s presentation and offered
many congratulatory remarks.
