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My top ten memories of Pakistan
By Zachary V. Harkenrider 2 hours ago
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It was good to see that such artisans, and Punjab’s vocational training entity, TEVTA, are keeping this art alive for the enjoyment of subsequent generations. PHOTO: ZACHARY V. HARKENRIDER
Three years is not much time in which to learn about a society as diverse, complex, and fascinating as Pakistan. However, for foreign diplomats, it is a fairly long tour. As I leave, I wanted to share with the Express Tribune readers what I hope will be an interesting and unique perspective on this great country; on some of the things that we, in the American government, have done with our Pakistani partners; and, of some of the things I have most appreciated during my time here.
1. Viewing Mughal Architecture
I have lived in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan off and on since 1999, and I have always been impressed by the symmetry, the beauty, and the science of Mughal architecture. Lahore and Punjab boast so many examples of 16th and 17th century architectural excellence that it is like a giant museum, open for the edification of all comers. Walled City Authority, the Agha Khan Cultural Service Pakistan, and the Punjab Department of Archaeology are doing an exceptional job of restoring and interpreting these treasures. In the future, I hope that more Americans and westerners will come here and have the chance to see what I have seen.
2. The Lahore Literary Festival (LLF)
This is one of the most positive things I’ve had the privilege to be associated with in my time in Pakistan, and I’m pleased that the US Consulate gives a grant each year to support the LLF. I’m impressed by the size and diversity of the crowds there. Clearly, this is an institution that Lahoris of all ages and walks of life embrace. In a very unique way, the festival sends a very positive message about Pakistan to the broader world, helping to advance the country’s image overseas.
3. Visiting Muzaffargarh with Chief Minister Sharif
Over the last several years, US assistance has helped Pakistan address one of its greatest challenges – the shortage of electricity. We have added 2,300MW of new capacity to the grid; helped save 212MW more through conservation; and, helped the distribution companies to reduce losses and gain revenues worth $429 million. Much of that 2,300MWs comes from existing power plants where we have restored machinery and capacity back to previous levels. In Muzaffargarh, we added back 480MW. I was pleased to share our progress with CM Sharif, who has shown such strong and committed leadership in the energy sector. We both attended the reopening of a power plant in Muzaffargarh, which added back 480MW.
4. Admiring Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage
Given Pakistan’s many architectural treasures, I’m pleased that the United States is doing its part to support their restoration and interpretation. We have completed 11 cultural preservation activities in Punjab alone, ranging from the shrine of Hazrat Sakhi Sarwar near Dera Ghazi Khan to the Lahore Fort’s Alamgiri Gate, to the Sunehri Masjid in Lahore. Currently, we are supporting the restoration of the Wazir Khan Mosque façade and Chowk in Lahore’s walled city. I had the chance to visit the site with our partners at the Agha Khan Cultural Service Pakistan.
5. Seeing the dynamism of Pakistani industry
It’s not just Pakistan’s ancient past, but its future that I find so inspiring. When I visited Dr Umar Saif (Chairman of the Punjab Information Technology Board and Vice Chancellor of the Information Technology University in Lahore) and met the young professionals at the Plan 9 incubator and Plan X accelerator, I got to see first-hand how young Pakistani tech professionals are growing a world-class Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector right here in Punjab. Their ideas were practical, marketable, and scalable, and they attested to the great creativity and talent of Pakistan. We are doing our part to support this excellence – organising a reverse trade delegation on ICT to Silicon Valley and Washington last year; funding an entrepreneurship and ICT-focused exchange program that introduced young innovators from Lahore to Austin, Texas’s tech scene; and, locating Lahore’s first American satellite cultural centre (or “Lincoln Corner”) at ITU.
By Zachary V. Harkenrider 2 hours ago
0 CommentsPrintEmail
It was good to see that such artisans, and Punjab’s vocational training entity, TEVTA, are keeping this art alive for the enjoyment of subsequent generations. PHOTO: ZACHARY V. HARKENRIDER
Three years is not much time in which to learn about a society as diverse, complex, and fascinating as Pakistan. However, for foreign diplomats, it is a fairly long tour. As I leave, I wanted to share with the Express Tribune readers what I hope will be an interesting and unique perspective on this great country; on some of the things that we, in the American government, have done with our Pakistani partners; and, of some of the things I have most appreciated during my time here.
1. Viewing Mughal Architecture
I have lived in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan off and on since 1999, and I have always been impressed by the symmetry, the beauty, and the science of Mughal architecture. Lahore and Punjab boast so many examples of 16th and 17th century architectural excellence that it is like a giant museum, open for the edification of all comers. Walled City Authority, the Agha Khan Cultural Service Pakistan, and the Punjab Department of Archaeology are doing an exceptional job of restoring and interpreting these treasures. In the future, I hope that more Americans and westerners will come here and have the chance to see what I have seen.
2. The Lahore Literary Festival (LLF)
This is one of the most positive things I’ve had the privilege to be associated with in my time in Pakistan, and I’m pleased that the US Consulate gives a grant each year to support the LLF. I’m impressed by the size and diversity of the crowds there. Clearly, this is an institution that Lahoris of all ages and walks of life embrace. In a very unique way, the festival sends a very positive message about Pakistan to the broader world, helping to advance the country’s image overseas.
3. Visiting Muzaffargarh with Chief Minister Sharif
Over the last several years, US assistance has helped Pakistan address one of its greatest challenges – the shortage of electricity. We have added 2,300MW of new capacity to the grid; helped save 212MW more through conservation; and, helped the distribution companies to reduce losses and gain revenues worth $429 million. Much of that 2,300MWs comes from existing power plants where we have restored machinery and capacity back to previous levels. In Muzaffargarh, we added back 480MW. I was pleased to share our progress with CM Sharif, who has shown such strong and committed leadership in the energy sector. We both attended the reopening of a power plant in Muzaffargarh, which added back 480MW.
4. Admiring Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage
Given Pakistan’s many architectural treasures, I’m pleased that the United States is doing its part to support their restoration and interpretation. We have completed 11 cultural preservation activities in Punjab alone, ranging from the shrine of Hazrat Sakhi Sarwar near Dera Ghazi Khan to the Lahore Fort’s Alamgiri Gate, to the Sunehri Masjid in Lahore. Currently, we are supporting the restoration of the Wazir Khan Mosque façade and Chowk in Lahore’s walled city. I had the chance to visit the site with our partners at the Agha Khan Cultural Service Pakistan.
5. Seeing the dynamism of Pakistani industry
It’s not just Pakistan’s ancient past, but its future that I find so inspiring. When I visited Dr Umar Saif (Chairman of the Punjab Information Technology Board and Vice Chancellor of the Information Technology University in Lahore) and met the young professionals at the Plan 9 incubator and Plan X accelerator, I got to see first-hand how young Pakistani tech professionals are growing a world-class Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector right here in Punjab. Their ideas were practical, marketable, and scalable, and they attested to the great creativity and talent of Pakistan. We are doing our part to support this excellence – organising a reverse trade delegation on ICT to Silicon Valley and Washington last year; funding an entrepreneurship and ICT-focused exchange program that introduced young innovators from Lahore to Austin, Texas’s tech scene; and, locating Lahore’s first American satellite cultural centre (or “Lincoln Corner”) at ITU.
