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Pak pavilion at DSF 2005 to be ‘bigger and better’

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Pakistani Consul General in Dubai, Amanullah Larik said that this year, the designated area for the pavilion was 3,000 square metres, an increase of 900 square metres as compared to last year’s 2,100 square metres.

“The number of stalls has also been increased to 100 from the 74 last year while the area allotted for each stall will be 4x3 which can be doubled should one require a bigger stall,” he added.

Participating for the 10th consecutive year, Pakistan’s pavilion for DSF 2005 hopes to attract a larger crowd as several new additions have been made to it.

“This year, the government of the UAE has allotted a larger space for the Pakistani pavilion, therefore, a much better layout has been made for the stalls,” said Larik.

The pavilion will also have more space for movement of visitors. According to the design, fountains and benches mark the centre courtyard of the pavilion.

“There will be four Pakistani restaurants facing the lake. A food court has been designed within the pavilion that will host the four restaurants offering traditional Pakistani cuisine,” said Larik.

The pavilion is designed to represent Lahore’s Shalimar Gardens, which is a fine example of Moghul architecture.

“The superb design was approved by the committee from among several designs,” he said, adding that this year, 10 locally-based companies had filed tenders but Al Fajr Construction Company would be designing and constructing the pavilion.

According to Larik, the facade of the pavilion will have Moghul paintings and will be very colourful. Again this year, a theatre — 14x4 metres — will be constructed for daily cultural activities. Pakistani artistes will also be flown in for entertainment as this year, the Global Village will be held for two months. Like last year, several colourful, cultural activities have been planned. The Pakistani community will witness vibrant cultural shows and enjoy their visit to the pavilion. Construction work on the pavilion will start by December 12 and the pavilion will be ready by January 1.

He also said that traders wishing to take up stalls in the pavilion could contact the consulate for details. “This year, we have also contacted the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the Ministry of Commerce in Pakistan so that they can also participate in the DSF activities this year,” he said.

Only Pakistani goods will be put on display including leather, onyx, textiles, various varieties of rice and other products, he added.

“This year, we are aiming for a hat trick as consecutively for the past two years, we have been an award-winning pavilion. This year we are looking at the Best Pavilion Award,” said the consul general.

In DSF 2003, the Pakistan pavilion won the award for the Best Managed Pavilion and in DSF 2004, the pavilion won the award for Best Cultural Representation of Country Award.

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