Pakistani Alumni Connect Through Music Concert

The Pakistan-US Alumni Network (PUAN) hosted the Music Freedom Concert in Islamabad, celebrating traditional Pakistani music and dance with more than 1,200 concert goers, including 200 exchange alumni, students, and families. Famous Pakistani musicians thrilled the audience and a folk singer was an undeniable crowd favorite. 

 

PUAN had surprises in store for the audience. During the concert, 2014 CenterStage performing act Khumariyaan released a new music video. Farhan Bogra, the lead singer of Khumariyaan, was awarded a grant through the U.S. Embassy Islamabad, allowing his band to travel to the U.S., tour eight states, and become the first Pakistani band to be featured at the South-by-South West music festival in Austin, Texas. 

 

Concert attendees also viewed a video featuring U.S. Embassy Country Cultural Attaché Dr. Daniel S. Mattern saying, “Music connects us as people… across tribes, regions, and across cultures and countries.” In addition to hosting the music festival, PUAN has been an extremely active part of the international exchange alumni community, leading a myriad of other public service projects, leadership events, and community engagement activities.