Karachi: First Lady of Pakistan, Asifa Bhutto Zardari, graced the Mango Festival 2026 as the Chief Guest at a ceremony organized by the Foreign Affairs Liaison Office (FALO), Karachi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Karachi Marriott Hotel on Thursday.
The Festival was organized as part of FALO Karachi’s public diplomacy initiatives to showcase Pakistan’s rich agricultural heritage, promote the country’s export potential, strengthen engagement with the diplomatic community, support Pakistan’s economic diplomacy, and bring diplomacy closer to the people of Sindh through meaningful public outreach.
The event was attended by the Honourable Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah; Ambassador Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Additional Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Members of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh; members of the diplomatic corps, including Consuls General and Honorary Consuls based in Karachi; senior government officials; representatives of the United Nations Country Team in Pakista
n; members of the business community; exporters; representatives of the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (PFVA); professional associations; academia; civil society; media; and other distinguished guests.
Welcoming the participants, Mr. Muhammad Irfan Soomro, Director General, Foreign Affairs Liaison Office, Karachi, expressed his profound gratitude to Her Excellency the First Lady for graciously accepting the invitation to grace the Festival as Chief Guest. He said her presence had added special significance to the event and reflected her continued commitment to promoting Pakistan’s positive image at home and abroad. He observed that, through her engagements with leaders and First Ladies across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, the First Lady had projected Pakistan’s values of dignity, compassion and constructive engagement. He noted that she was ably carrying forward the distinguished legacy of her mother, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, her grandfather, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto, and her father, the Honourable President of Pakistan, His Excellency Asif Ali Zardari, while serving as an inspiration for Pakistan’s youth, particularly girls and women, through her commitment to public service, humility and compassion.
Mr. Soomro said the Festival reflected FALO Karachi’s commitment to promoting Pakistan’s agricultural excellence, supporting economic diplomacy, and bringing diplomacy closer to the people of Sindh.
Addressing the gathering, the Honourable Chief Minister of Sindh appreciated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Affairs Liaison Office, Karachi, for organizing the Festival and for their continued efforts to strengthen engagement between the diplomatic community and the Government of Sindh. He observed that such initiatives provide an effective platform to showcase Sindh’s rich agricultural heritage, promote Pakistan’s premium agricultural products, and strengthen the country’s economic diplomacy. He reaffirmed the Government of Sindh’s continued support for
initiatives that enhance Pakistan’s international profile and expand opportunities for trade, investment and cultural engagement.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Additional Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commended FALO Karachi for its proactive role in advancing the Ministry’s diplomatic outreach in Sindh. He noted that, under the leadership of Mr. Muhammad Irfan Soomro, Director General, FALO Karachi, the Office has emerged as an effective bridge between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Sindh, the diplomatic corps and other stakeholders. He appreciated the professionalism, dedication and initiative of DG FALO and his team in promoting public diplomacy, facilitating diplomatic engagement, and supporting the Ministry’s outreach across the province.
The Festival celebrated Pakistan’s internationally acclaimed mangoes, including Sindhri, Chaunsa, Langra, Anwar Ratol and other premium varieties, while highlighting the country’s rich agricultural he
ritage and export potential. Guests also enjoyed cultural performances, exhibitions, networking opportunities and a lucky draw. Although the Festival was held towards the close of the mango season, an impressive collection of Pakistan’s finest mangoes was assembled for display and tasting through the support of growers, exporters and industry partners.
The Mango Festival 2026 reaffirmed FALO Karachi’s commitment to promoting Pakistan’s positive image through public diplomacy, strengthening engagement with the diplomatic community, highlighting the country’s immense potential in agriculture, trade, investment and tourism, encouraging greater people-to-people contacts, and bringing diplomacy closer to the people of Sindh through meaningful public outreach initiatives.