Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Canada met with celebrated artist Khalil Najmi on Thursday, a meeting that underscored the nation’s strategy of using visual arts as a central tool for public diplomacy and enhancing its international standing.
Najmi, an artist of international renown for his unique medallion portraiture, presented the High Commission with a significant masterpiece depicting the nation”s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
During their discussion, the artist shared insights into his creative process, viewing his work as a medium for preserving heritage, celebrating national identity, and encouraging cross-cultural conversation.
High Commissioner Muhammad Saleem commended Mr. Najmi”s substantial contribution to promoting Pakistan”s artistic legacy. He described art as a potent vehicle for cultural diplomacy, praising the artist”s distinctive style that merges classical methods with contemporary expression.
The conversation emphasised the importance of fostering people-to-people exchanges to project a positive global image of Pakistan. The High Commissioner asserted that creative professionals play an indispensable role in forging connections between different societies.
He concluded by stating that initiatives such as cultural exhibitions, artist exchange programmes, and collaborations with counterpart institutions abroad are foundational to Pakistan’s public diplomacy efforts.