An honour for Pakistan, its centuries long Sufi traditions and Sufi music. On Friday 27th of August 2010 in Bochum, Pakistani artists Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali-Group, Sain Zahoor and Pappu Sain will open the series "Centuy of Song" at Ruhrtriennale, the biggest cultural festival of Europe, with a 3 hour concert. Pak-German Council for Culture and Democracy is proud to be cooperation partner of Ruhrtriennale for this unique and highly spiritual opening concert. Ticket prices range from € 20 for standing room to € 30 for seat, a special package includes concert ticket and overnight hotel accommodation for 89 € per person. more >>>

The “45^th Pakistan Meeting” organized by German officials from development agencies, aid workers and volunteers, who worked in Pakistan in 1960ies and afterward, was held in Rastatt from June 18 – 20 2010. In the 1^st session, president of Pak-German Council for Culture and Democracy, Shahid Riaz, did a presentation on “Situation of women in Pakistan” followed by Question & Answer session. Mr. Riaz gave an overview of the present status of women in Pakistan and said that the incident of Mukhtar Mai provided an impetus to create awareness among the masses about the need of strict legislation to protect women as well as gave encouragement to women folk to fight for their rights. more >>>

Pak-German Council for Culture and Democracy in cooperation with Pakistan Embassy Berlin has exhibited a hand stitched giant football at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin. This football was made in Pakistan, its radius is 330 cm, there is one German flag printed on it while two Pakistani flags can be seen as well. This football was exhibited at Potsdamer Platz on 12th of June 2010 from 2:00 PM till 6:00 PM. Fans of the German national football team were invited to write their well wishes on this giant football in many different colours and languages. The ball was quickly filled in one and a half hour with wishes written by many women, men and children from different nationalities and backgrounds. This football is now permanently exhibited at Bundespressestrand Berlin. more >>>

On 19 October 2009 the documentary film "Shame" directed by Mohammed Naqvi was shown in the program at the film festival “ueberMacht” in the German City of Münster. The film is based on the true story of Mukhtaran Mai, a Pakistani woman who suffered a gang rape as a form of honour revenge on the demands of tribesmen. After the screening of "Shame" Shahid Riaz led an interactive discussion with the audience about the film and the status of women in Pakistan. The screening and discussion was organized by Terre des Femmes e.V. Münster. more >>>

Shahid Riaz participated as a main speaker in a seminar on "Cultural Diplomacy in East Asia: A Forum for Young Leaders" organized by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) on 7 October 2009 in Berlin. He talked about the Pakistani diaspora in Europe and Germany and discussed the issues of Brain Drain and Brain Gain. He shared his experience as an immigrant and presented his view on the issues and difficulties Pakistani immigrants are facing in Europe. Shahid Riaz said that Muslims are facing extra difficulties in integrating in German society than other ethnic communities. Since religion plays a central role in the lives of Muslims... more >>>

Pak-German Council for Culture and Democracy organised a demonstration near to German Parliament at Pariser Platz in front of famous Brandenburger Gate in Berlin, Germany. The purpose of the demonstration was to support the lawyers' movement in Pakistan, to demand the restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry in his office, to demand the withdrawal of Governor Rule in Punjab and restore the Provincial government in Punjab and to abolish sentence of both sheriff brothers. more >>>

Member of German Parliament Mrs. Ute Koczy supports the lawyers' movement in Pakistan. In her statement she demands the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. Mrs. Koczy is member of Parliamentary Committee for Economic cooperation and development. She was also the leader of a parliamentary delegation that has visited Pakistan in 2008. Among other cities of Pakistan she visited Peshawar on her own security risk. To read her original statement please click here.

Video Statement Youtube>>>

Video Statement Youtube Urdu Translation>>>

German Lawyers have issued a statement to support the lawyers movement in Pakistan for the reinstatement of Chief Justice Chaudhry. Dr. Andreas Köhler, member of Executive Board of Lawyers Chamber in Berlin, issued a statement after meeting with Shahid Riaz, president of Pak-German Council for Culture and Democracy.

Video Message >>>

Four members of German Parliament have issued an open letter to President Zardari. It was written on 5th of December and directly sent on 16th of December 2008 to President Zardari. Through Pak-German Council for Culture and Democracy this open letter was broadcast in the Pakistani media on 19th of December. On the request of Pak-German Council for Culture and Democracy these members of German Parliament also issued an open letter to President Musharraf after he imposed the Rule of Emergency in Pakistan in November 2007. Original Letter in German >>>

On 18th of February 2008 the people of Pakistan decided for democracy, for freedom of press and for independent judiciary and therefore it was a clear vote against dictatorship and extremism. Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani was elected on 24th of March 2008 from the Parliament as the new prime minister of Pakistan. Mr. Gilani was invited as an honour guest on 29th of November 2007 to “Pak-German Cultural Evening for a Democratic Pakistan” in Berlin by Pak-German Council for Culture and Democracy. more >>>

In response to the meeting with the delegation of Pakistan-German Council for Culture and Democracy, six members of German Parliament have issued an open letter to President Musharraf. It is the first and only letter, which has been issued by a group of German parliamentarians since President Musharraf came into power. The letter was written on 1st February 2008, but it was sent on 6th February 2008 directly to president office per fax and a copy was sent to the Embassy of Pakistan in Berlin as well. more >>>

A delegation of Pakistan-German Council for Culture and Democracy (DPG) met with Mrs. Christel Riemann-Hanewinckel who is member of the German Parliament since 1990, current member of Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights and member of Parliamentary Committee for Economic Cooperation and Development. more >>>

Interview with President of Pakistan-German Council for Culture and Democracy, Shahid Riaz, on the current situation in Pakistan after Benazir Bhutto's assassination. (right column)

Interview with President of Pak-German Council for Culture and Democracy, Shahid Riaz, after Emergency Rule was imposed in Pakistan by President Gen. Musharaf. Shahid Riaz condemned the State of Emergency Rule in Pakistan and described the situation in Pakistan and told the media that lawyers, judges, journalists and political workers were imprisoned. He demanded the urgent end of Emergency Rule, the release of all prisoners, independence of media, reinstatement of the judges and free and fair elections in Pakistan.

Watch the interview