Rahat Fateh Ali mesmerizes at UNGA Pakistan Day concert

NEW YORK: For the first time Pakistan marked its National Day at the UN with a concert in the prestigious General Assembly hall on March 23. Organized by the Pakistan Mission to the UN in collaboration with Geo Television Network the even featured a concert by Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

The concert titled 'Sufi Night Music of Peace' aimed at spreading the message of international peace and harmony at the world stage. During 9-minute long performance, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan sang his popular ghazals and songs that already have worldwide familiarity and transcended the audience to greater heights.

The concert was attended by diplomats, UN officials, and representatives of the civil society, media personalities and others.

One of the world's leading exponents of Sufi Music Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's rendering of traditional Qawali by combining it with Western instruments has created a unique and appealing sound.

He has performed at various international venues including the Nobel Peace Prize Awards Ceremony in 2014.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Dr Maleeha Lodhi said, "the concert is an effort to project Pakistan's soft image and present the country's rich culture."

"Public diplomacy is the most effective way to win hearts and minds and this aims to do just that. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has repeatedly urged Pakistani envoys to actively engage in public diplomacy."

This event is the latest in the series of cultural projects undertaken by Pakistan Mission in the last one year since Dr Maleeha Lohdi assumed charge as Ambassador to UN.