By Rafiq Vayani
KARACHI: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), in collaboration with the Karachi Marriott Hotel and the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA), proudly hosted the Mango Festival 2025 at the elegantly renovated Grand Ballroom of the Karachi Marriott Hotel. This landmark event served as both a celebration of Pakistan’s globally acclaimed mangoes and the grand unveiling of the hotel’s state-of-the-art event space.
The Mango Festival was a vibrant fusion of flavor, culture, and diplomacy, spotlighting Pakistan’s diverse and delicious mango varieties. It served as a strategic soft-power initiative designed to promote agribusiness, tourism, and goodwill among nations through Pakistan’s most cherished fruit.
Welcoming the guests, Mr. Raza Abbas, General Manager of Karachi Marriott Hotel, delivered an inspiring address:“ Honorable Governor of Sindh, distinguished diplomats, respected ministers, esteemed guests, very warm welcome to the Karachi Marriott Hotel.
It is a moment of immense pride for us to co-host this splendid Mango Festival 2025 in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the PFVA. Today’s event is not just a celebration of the king of fruits, but a symbol of Pakistan’s agricultural excellence and the power of unity through culture and diplomacy.
We are especially delighted to mark the formal inauguration of our newly renovated Grand Ballroom. Designed to reflect elegance, modernity, and versatility, this space will now serve as a premier venue for national and international events.
At Karachi Marriott, we believe in hospitality that goes beyond comfort—we strive to create experiences that connect people, cultures, and purpose. Hosting the Mango Festival is a true embodiment of that vision.
We thank you all for being here, and we hope you enjoy the flavors, the conversations, and the connections that today’s gathering offers. Let us together toast to the sweet taste of diplomacy, development, and unity.”
The event was graced by an esteemed lineup of guests, including, Muhammad Irfan Soomro, Director General, MoFA Karachi, Ambassador Imran Siddiqi, Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia Pacific), Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Minister for Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives, Chief Guest: His Excellency Muhammad Kamran Khan Tessori, Governor of Sindh.
Also present were numerous diplomats, foreign consulate officials, industry leaders, government representatives, and prominent members of civil society.
A Celebration of Flavor and Diplomacy: In his keynote address, Governor Kamran Tessori lauded the initiative as an excellent example of fruit diplomacy and soft power. He applauded the collaboration between public and private sectors to promote Pakistan’s image globally through its agriculture and hospitality.
Speeches from representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PFVA, and Karachi Marriott underscored the mango’s symbolic role in diplomacy and international trade. They highlighted Pakistan’s growing influence as a premium mango exporter and a hub for cultural engagement in the region.
Cultural Showcases and Mango Delights, The festival featured live mango tastings, traditional performances, visual displays of mango farming, and interactive engagement zones for diplomatic guests. A dedicated “Mango Exhibition Table” showcased rare varieties such as Sindhri, Chaunsa, Anwar Ratol, and Langra, offering visitors a flavorful journey through Pakistan’s orchards.
