By Irfan Siddiqi, Tokyo
Pakistan has earned a momentous honor at the ongoing Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan by securing two prestigious international awards, marking a proud achievement for the nation on the world stage. These accolades recognize not only Pakistan’s creative excellence but also its growing presence in global cultural and trade diplomacy.
The first award, the Bronze Award in the Exhibition Category, was conferred by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on the Pakistan Pavilion for its remarkable design, presentation, and overall impact. The award was received by Mr. Muhammad Naseer, Director General of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Head of the Pakistan Pavilion, during a distinguished ceremony at the Expo site.
The second distinction, the Editors’ Choice Award, was presented by Exhibitor Online, a leading global exhibition body that recognizes outstanding creativity and cultural representation among participating nations. Pakistan’s Pavilion stood out for its imaginative design, artistic display, and authentic cultural storytelling — a combination that earned global admiration.
Despite being allocated just 53 square meters of exhibition space, the Pakistan Pavilion became one of the most visited and celebrated attractions of the Expo, welcoming over 1.7 million visitors so far. Visitors from Japan and around the world have praised the pavilion for its aesthetic brilliance, cultural depth, and representation of Pakistan’s national identity through art, innovation, and heritage.
Speaking on this proud occasion, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General for the Pakistan Pavilion, H.E. Abdul Hameed, congratulated the entire TDAP team and expressed pride in Pakistan’s accomplishment. He stated:
“My relevance to the Expo was not only as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Japan but also as the Commissioner General for our Pavilion. It was an honor to see Pakistan’s image represented with such creativity and dignity. The Pavilion effectively showcased our culture, the potential wealth of minerals, our innovations, and Pakistan’s positive contribution to the global community.”
He further added,
“The team led by our Project Director, Mr. Naseer Khan, performed their duties in a most professional and dedicated manner. Their teamwork reflects the best spirit of modern Pakistan — creative, hardworking, and forward-looking.”
Ambassador Abdul Hameed also paid rich tribute to the officers of TDAP whose collective efforts turned the Pakistan Pavilion into one of the highlights of Expo 2025 Osaka. Alongside Mr. Muhammad Naseer (Director General), he extended his compliments to Mr. Adil Mukhtar (Deputy Director), Dr. Arfa Shahid (Assistant Director), and Mr. Ahmed Khan (Assistant Director) for their invaluable services and dedication throughout the planning and execution of Pakistan’s participation. He also commended Mr. Sajjad Shah, Event Management Consultant, for his tireless coordination and outstanding management of all Expo-related events and VIP engagements.
Ambassador Abdul Hameed expressed heartfelt thanks to the Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Haroon Akhtar Khan, and Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, whose presence and support greatly enhanced Pakistan’s profile at the Expo. He also thanked the Japanese authorities for facilitating Pakistan’s VVIP visits and for their excellent cooperation in hosting the National Day of Pakistan at the Expo site.
In his remarks, Mr. Muhammad Naseer, Director General TDAP and Head of the Pakistan Pavilion, expressed profound gratitude to the Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Commerce Secretary Jawaad Paul, and the entire TDAP leadership and staff for their unwavering guidance, teamwork, and dedication. He emphasized that this achievement was the result of collective effort and national pride, adding that “no individual alone could have made this possible — it is truly a shared success of Pakistan.”
Mr. Naseer also praised the creative contribution of Ms. Noorjehan Bilgrami, the Pavilion’s lead designer and concept curator, whose artistic vision and aesthetic direction played a key role in bringing the theme “Universe in a Grain of Salt” to life. He noted that this unique theme beautifully reflected the depth of Pakistan’s natural resources, artistry, and philosophy — showing how even a grain of Himalayan pink salt can symbolize an entire universe of creativity, culture, and human connection.
Concluding his remarks, Mr. Naseer said that the success of Pakistan at Expo 2025 Osaka demonstrates that with imagination, teamwork, and national unity, Pakistan can achieve excellence on any global platform. “This pavilion,” he added, “is not just an exhibit — it is Pakistan’s story told through art, innovation, and hope.”
