Comedy king at Pakistan pavilion

Last year, the Pakistan pavilion won the Best Cultural Activities award during DSF. For the 10th anniversary of the DSF this year, the organisers have lined up a spectacular calendar of events that presents every aspect of the country's cultural heritage. A number of star-studded cultural and musical shows have been scheduled throughout the DSF and will be presented at the Global Village and at other festival venues. Well-known Pakistani actor and comedian, Umer Sharif and popular actress Noor will inaugurate the cultural activities at the Pakistan pavilion with a live performance on Thursday (January 20) at 8.30pm. The show, free for all visitors, is organised by the Consulate General of Pakistan in association with Spotlight FZ LLC.

Umer Sharif's name is synonymous with laughter. Known as the 'laughter factory of South-East Asia', the actor has legions of fans in Pakistan and India. His video plays and audio cassettes of his stand-up comedy shows are popular with Urdu speaking audiences all over the world. The actor has also written, directed and acted in hit films such as Mr. 420, Mr. Charlie and Chand Babu. Last year he regaled audiences at the Zee Cine Awards held in Dubai, drawing uncharacteristic laughter even from Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan. Sharif's plays 'Umar Sharif Hazir Hain' and 'Begum, Baja aur Baraat' were well received in Dubai last year and Dubai residents and DSF visitors can look forward to another entertaining show this evening being staged at the main entrance of the pavilion which can also be watched by the passersby.

This year the Pakistan Pavilion is much bigger than previous years. It is designed to look like the historical Shalimar Garden in Lahore, built by a Mughal Emperor hundreds of years ago. There are 100 stalls and the products on display include traditional hand carved furniture, onyx and marble products, handicrafts, leather goods, traditional gold and silver jewellery as well as gemstones. The pavilion also features a food court with restaurants offering typical Pakistani cuisine and a 'discount centre' with 12 stalls offering household items, textiles and other goods at competitive prices.