Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD), in collaboration with the Consulate General of Pakistan and the Pakistan Business Council, proudly hosted the Pakistan Mango Festival 2024, a two-day event that celebrated the unique flavours and cultural significance of Pakistani mangoes. The festival, held on July 5th and 6th at PAD, drew an impressive turnout of 5000+ visitors and showcased the diversity and excellence of Pakistani mangoes.

The festival kicked off on July 5th with the exclusive Mango Diplomacy event, an invite-only gathering attended by over 350 guests. Distinguished attendees included H.E. Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Ambassador of Pakistan, H.E. Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of Pakistan, and esteemed diplomats from 25 countries, including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, China, Iraq, Egypt, Germany, Jordan, Malaysia, Mozambique, New Zealand, Nigeria, Palestine, Qatar, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkey, Yemen, the UK, and Uzbekistan.

Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "This is the most anticipated event of the year. I started receiving calls in April and May about it. Mangoes, like citrus, are indigenous to the Indus Valley, which constitutes Pakistan. The presence of so many people is a testimony to this special fruit." Several foreign dignitaries also shared their joy about Pakistani mangoes and their experience at the event. A guest from the United States said, “Mangoes are delicious; it is true that Pakistan has the best mangoes. I’m from Florida which also has mangoes and I can say that Pakistani mangoes are better!”

The Mango Diplomacy event showcased the exceptional quality and variety of Pakistani mangoes, featuring a display of 20 varieties displayed creatively on carts and bicycles. The event was beautifully adorned with mango-themed decor that added a vibrant and festive atmosphere to the evening. Everything was mango-themed, from the yellow carpet that welcomed the guests to a robot roving around delivering mangoes to visitors. Guests enjoyed mango tasting counters, carts displaying mango products, and an extravagant Mango Menu. The menu included innovative dishes like mango hummus and mango chaat, along with traditional favourites enhanced with mango flavours. The dessert section was particularly notable, offering mango tiramisu, mango cream parfait, mango cheesecake, mango custard tart, mango pate choux, and vanilla cake with mango. Savoury dishes included a refreshing Thai mango salad and mutton shami kebab with mango caviar. Guests also had the opportunity to capture memorable moments using mango-themed Instagram frames.

Muhammad Iqbal Dawood, President of the Pakistan Business Council, talked about the importance of such events for trade and investment, saying, "Events like these are crucial for promoting trade and investment. We have a number of mango traders in the UAE, and we are happy to showcase the best of Pakistani mangoes to the world."

Zahid Hassan, General Secretary of PAD, remarked, "PAD is delighted to host the second edition of the Pakistan Mango Festival upon popular demand. We are pleased to welcome guests from 25+ countries and celebrate the diversity of Pakistani mangoes, which represents the essence of inclusivity that PAD stands for."
The evening showcased the exceptional quality and variety of Pakistani mangoes, including Chaunsa, Sindhri, Langra, and Anwar Ratol, and celebrated the essence of diversity that the King of Fruits has to offer. The event also featured a mango-inspired Harley Davidson motorcycle. As a special souvenir, each guest was given a box of premium Pakistani mangoes with a heartfelt note to take home.

Dr. Faisel Ikram, President PAD, highlighted the significance of the event, stating, "Pakistan has always used mangoes for diplomacy. Today’s event is a pure diplomacy event where we invited foreign missions, consul generals, business councils, and government officials to come and see what Pakistan has to offer."

On July 6th, the festival opened its doors to the public, inviting mango lovers from all over Dubai to indulge in the rich flavours and cultural heritage of Pakistani mangoes. On the second day, the public enjoyed a vibrant atmosphere filled with activities for all ages, including a Mango Mushaira, Mango Theatre, Magic Show by Magician Omar, and several competitions and games, such as raffle draws, jumping castles, and face painting for kids. Attendees, from a range of nationalities, also enjoyed browsing a range of products at the shopping stalls and tasting various dishes made from the finest Pakistani mangoes at the food stalls.

Mr. Khalid Imtiaz, PAD Joint Secretary, shared his thoughts on the event, saying, "We once again had a massive turnout and saw people of all ages and backgrounds uniting for the love of mangoes. It was great to see senior dignitaries and foreign diplomats joining our festival to highlight the importance of our agricultural products and strengthen international ties."

The event featured cultural performances, interactive sessions, and mango stalls where visitors could buy premium mangoes, ensuring they left with the finest varieties to savour at home. The festival also included mango-themed decor that beautifully adorned the venue, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere. Guests were treated to mango-themed delicacies and captured memorable moments using mango-themed Instagram frames. Attendees had the chance to participate in fun contests and take home memorable prizes. The event featured exciting raffle draws, an art corner for kids, social media competitions, and numerous giveaways.

The Pakistan Mango Festival 2024 was a grand celebration of the beloved fruit, bringing together communities and building a spirit of unity and diversity through the love of mangoes.

Special thanks to our partners for making the festival a success.