ISLAMABAD: Commemorating four decades of agricultural partnership between Pakistan and Australia, Australian High Commissioner Neil Hawkins and Professor Wendy Umberger, CEO of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), unveiled a bus art project today that highlights strategies for conserving water and enhancing food security.Agriculture, IT key drivers of Pakistan’s economic growth: Aurangzeb
Public transport vehicles will display illustrations created by Australian alumnus and distinguished cartoonist Nigar Nazar, designed to raise public awareness about simple practices that promote sustainable farming and address the challenges posed by climate change, including water shortages. These illustrations represent the collaborative efforts of Australia and Pakistan to advance Pakistan’s agricultural landscape over the past 40 years.
In launching the initiative, High Commissioner Hawkins stated, “For 40 years, Australia has been alongside Pakistan, addressing some of the most urgent issues in agriculture and water management. This bus art project embodies the spirit of that partnership—leveraging creativity to motivate action and connect communities in both rural and urban Punjab.”
ACIAR CEO Professor Wendy Umberger remarked, “We are privileged to commemorate this milestone through such a creative and impactful initiative that extends beyond agricultural fields and into the everyday lives of Pakistanis. Over the last four decades, ACIAR has collaborated closely with Pakistani farmers, scientists, and policymakers to cultivate sustainable agricultural practices, enhance food security, and improve livelihoods, especially in Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan.”
The project will feature five public buses traversing Punjab’s agricultural regions, reaching thousands of commuters and passersby. The cartoons aim to inspire viewers to conserve water and endorse sustainable farming techniques.
Cartoonist Nigar Nazar completed a professional course at the University of Canberra and was awarded the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz by Pakistan’s President in 2023.
