Pakistan will host the international show of the World Association of Flower Arrangers (Wafa) in the year 2008. This was stated by the Vice-President of Wafa Pakistan Management Committee, Ms Zareena Asghar Khan, in an interview with the APP here.
She said that more than 1,000 delegates from around the world will participate in the show. Ms Khan pointed out that once in every three years a country is given the honour of being the host country.
Last time it was the turn of Japan and before that England was the host as far as such an international gathering of Wafa was concerned, she added.
Ms Khan stated that Wafa is now recognised internationally as a highly respected association. The management of Wafa is conferred upon a host country for a mandate of three years.
She said that 24 months prior to the world show a seminar is held to introduce the flora and culture of the host country. The three day event has commenced at a local hotel anti as many as 60 delegates from 20 countries including Pakistan are participating in it.
Ms Khan said that the three-day event is being held under the auspices of the Floral Art Society of Pakistan. She stated that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is also extending their assistance.
She said that we are apprising the delegates from abroad of our culture, horticulture, flowers as well as the good side of Pakistan. Ms Khan further stated that this event will move to Islamabad on Monday.
She was of the view that because of the efforts on the part of her organisations a number of flower shops have come up and that the people have started extending gifts of flowers to one another on various occasions.