Pak-German Council for Culture and Democracy cordially invites you to the vernissage of the exhibition "Through my Eyes - Soul of Pakistan" on October 11 from 7:00 pm at Kunstklinikum (Landsberger Allee 54, 10429 Berlin). The exhibition will show pictures of the Pakistani photographer Hameed Moinuddin which he all shot in Karachi. Berlin based author and photographer Maria Dost has written poetic texts for his pictures. In her texts she expresses her feelings and thoughts when looking at the pictures and in this way a dialogue Berlin - Karachi is created. Both artists will attend the vernissage and are looking forward to answer all the questions from the audience in order to start a dialogue. more >>>

We support Aktion Deutschland Hilft e.V. who are already actively working in Pakistan. Please send SMS writing keyword "Pakistan" to 81190. With one SMS you will donate 5 € to Aktion Deutschland Hilft e.V. In Pakistan, monsoon rains and floods are causing widespread destruction. Over eight million people have been affected with many losing their homes, farmland and belongings. Some of the areas affected are still recovering from last year’s flooding, including Sindh province, which is once again one of the worst-hit areas. more >>>

An honour for Pakistan, its centuries long Sufi traditions and Sufi music. On 27th of August 2010 Pakistani artists Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali-Group, Sain Zahoor and Pappu Sain have opened the concert series "Century of Song" in Bochum 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. more >>>

"Cultural Bridges in Germany: A Forum for Young Leaders", an international conference organized by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, attracted nearly 50 participants from all over Europe and was met with much enthusiasm. The event provided a forum for discussion on the future of Germany from both national and international perspectives, and included a panel discussion entitled "The influence of the intervention in Afghanistan on Central Asia and the relationship with Germany". The following speakers participated in the panel discussion: Abed Nadjib, Director of the Embassy of Afghanistan in Germany, Ulrich Finkenbusch, Speaker for foreign policy of FDP Parliamentary Group in the German Bundestag and Shahid Riaz, President of Pak-German Council for Culture and Democracy.

An international conference "Nation Branding in a Globalized World" was organized by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) from 29th July - 1st August 2010 in Berlin. The conference explored the concept of nation branding and its influence on the processes of globalization and increasing interdependence. A national brand can be understood as the reputation of a country and its population, the things it makes and does, and the way it makes and does them. Shahid Riaz gave a lecture on "Nation Branding and the Case of Pakistan" in which he discussed the image of Pakistan. 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.

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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.

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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 3 December 2008 Pak-German Council for Culture and Democracy organized a Seminar on the topic "Where stands Pakistan after the elections?" in cooperation with Heinrich Böll Foundation in Berlin. The Seminar is aimed to shed more light on the current state of affairs, the still rising Taliban threat and the relationship between politics and judiciary and the role of political parties and the society. Is Pakistan the most dangerous country in the world? What about political parties, inner democracy and the rule of law? Is Pakistan a failing state? And how could the Lawyers Movement be explained? These were some questions which have been raised and debated within the panel of our Seminar. more >>>

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 >>>

Pakistan-German Council for Culture and Democracy, Pakistani Community and PPP Berlin organised a commemoration for Mrs. Benazir Bhutto on 29.12.2007 in Berlin. It took place near the German Parliament at Pariser Platz in front of Brandenburger Gate. Two members of German Parliament, Mr. Josef Winkler and Mrs. Cornelia Behm, attended the mourning. Mr. Josef Winkler especially came from Koblenz to Berlin to attend the session. more >>>

Now it is almost a tradition that Pakistan-German Council for Culture and Democracy (DPG) celebrates Pakistan Cultural Evening every year. This time the focus was democracy in Pakistan, therefore opposition politicians from Pakistan were invited to attend the program. After president Musharaf imposed the rule of emergency in country on 3rd of November 2007, the interest of German public was increased in this event.
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This burning issue has been intensively discussed in the media as well as by the general public in Germany, therefore the Pakistan-German Council for Culture and Democracy decided to organise a political seminar on this interesting topic on 16th August 2007 in the “Kiezspinne” in Berlin-Lichtenberg.
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The Pakistan-German Council for Culture and Democracy has invited political celebrities, artists and more than 200 guests to a fascinating cultural evening. The dialogue between both cultures and countries (Pakistan & Germany) remained the main focus and brought together many different guests with new inspirations. There was to enjoy Pakistani music, tasty food and ceremonious addresses of the celebrities.
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