Now it is almost a tradition that Pak-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.

This “Pak-German Cultural Evening for a Democratic Pakistan” took place in the Kiezspinne, a cultural centre in Berlin-Lichtenberg. The hall was decorated with white and green balloons, which are the colours of Pakistani flag. In addition to that German and Pakistani flags were placed on the stage. Mr. Yousaf Raza Gilani, Senior Vice President of Pakistan Peoples Party and Mr. Mumtaz Ahmed Tarar, Chairman Human Rights Council of Pakistan, could not fly out of Pakistan to attend this program due to rule of Emergency in Pakistan.

Shahid Riaz, President of DPG along with Erik Gührs, Vice President of DPG welcomed the guests at main entrance of the hall. Miss Canan Korucu appeared on the stage to moderate the full program in a very sympathetic way. Later on Shahid Riaz (Gondal) officially welcomed the guests and described the objectives of DPG and reiterated that DPG will carry on its work to promote intercultural understanding and at the same time will keep on supporting the democratic movements in Pakistan.

Pakistani traditional dance was performed by three very talented artists. They presented dances of three different styles, with changing costumes and different background music. The latest Pakistani dresses for women were shown in a fashion show. It was the first Pakistani fashion show ever presented in Berlin. Five young ladies came after one another wearing colourful Shalwar Kameez with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan singing in the background. An interesting slide show gave an impression of Pakistani traditional and modern life including pictures of streets, cities, markets, historical buildings, schools, villages and agriculture.

Highlight of the program was live speech of ex-cricketer and national politician Mr. Imran Khan from Pakistan. Imran Khan said “it is the first time in history of Pakistan that judges have said “NO” to Military dictator, therefore now it is duty of the whole Pakistani nation not to leave the judges alone in the this critical moment. Our movement for democracy will go on until the sacked judges are not freed and reinstalled in their offices.” Shahid Riaz Gondal assured Mr. Khan that we all will support any movement for democracy in Pakistan. The audience supported this statement with a loud applause.

An impressive message of Mr. Mumtaz Ahmed Tarar was read by a member of DPG in a heart moving way. Mrs. Christel Riemann-Hanewinckel, member of German Parliament and member of Parliamentary committee for Human Rights and Development Aid, said, “it is unthinkable in Germany that president of the country puts Chief Justice of the country under house arrest. I was supposed to visit Pakistan with a delegation of parliamentarians in November but now we have cancelled our trip in solidarity with democratic forces in Pakistan.” Mayor of Berlin-Lichtenberg, Mrs. Christina Emmrich, said “I like Pakistani culture very much and at the same time I want to show my support for democratic movement in Pakistan.” Mrs. Gesine Lötzsch, member of German Parliament and Mrs. Karin Seidel-Kalmutzki, Vice president of Berlin-Parliament also attend the evening.

Later on Shahid Riaz and Mr. Andreas Geisel, Vice Mayor of Berlin-Lichtenberg and member of DPG gave the “Sindhi Ajraks” to honour guests and the participants of the fashion show, as a symbol of Pakistani culture and DPG.

At the end of the program a traditional and delicious Pakistani Buffet was served, German and Pakistani people could take this chance to get to know each other and exchange ideas.