The vibrant flavours, rich heritage, and cultural brilliance of Pakistan took center stage during the highly anticipated Pakistan Food Festival held recently.
The three-day event, organised by the Embassy of Pakistan in collaboration with Qatar Museums (QM), attracted thousands of visitors from diverse backgrounds to celebrate Pakistan’s culinary and cultural offerings, making the event an extraordinary success.
Held alongside the ‘Manzar: Arts and Architecture from Pakistan’ (1940-Present Day) exhibition, this festival brought together a perfect blend of food, art, and culture.
The event was inaugurated by Dr Atiya Bashir, consultant paediatrician at Al-Ahli Hospital; Dr Javed Sheikh, Dean of Weill Cornell in Qatar; Muhammad Khan, the senior-most business and community member in Qatar; and Salima Hashmi, a celebrated Pakistani artist. Their presence underscored the importance of the festival in fostering cultural and community ties between Pakistan and Qatar.
The Ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar HE Muhammad Aamer, the Pakistan embassy staff, members of the Pakistan Business Council Qatar, and a large number of Pakistani community members were also present.
The Pakistani ambassador thanked Qatar Museums for its support in organising the festival and providing a platform to showcase Pakistan’s vibrant culture. He highlighted the global appreciation for Pakistani cuisine, known for its unique flavors and diversity, and acknowledged the warm response from both Pakistanis and Qataris to the event.
The food festival featured a variety of mouthwatering dishes from some of the finest Pakistani restaurants and food vendors in Doha, such as Mian Jee, Peshawar One, New Shan-E-Lahore, Sarhad Premium, Modern Asia Restaurant, Hemaliya Mart and Restaurant, Kababbq Tonight, Punjab Restaurant, New Royal Kashmir, and Shabab Al Afghan. These vendors presented a wide array of traditional dishes ranging from aromatic biryanis to sizzling kebabs.
Today’s Fashion, a leading fashionwear and accessories store, also featured a stall highlighting Pakistani dresses and handicrafts. In addition to these well-known establishments, Parfait Café added a family-friendly element with games for children.
Individual entrepreneurs like Abeer Ghulam Akbar, Zaheda Abdulstattar Yaqoob, Aiman Riaz, Sameena Aamir Javed Khera, and Shanila Noor set up stalls featuring homemade delicacies, traditional clothing, jewellery, and henna art, reflecting the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the Pakistani community in Qatar.
The event also featured ‘Virsa: A Culinary Journey from Agra to Karachi,’ a book on Pakistan’s culinary heritage written by Sheher Bano Rizvi, a passionate advocate for promoting Pakistani cuisine through her not-for-profit venture. The book highlights the diversity of Pakistani food and its cultural significance, adding depth to the festival’s overall theme.
