“Pakkay Dost” Season 3 Backed by Sindh Govt and UNICEF to Boost Children’s Learning

By: Aziz Khatri

 Karachi: The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi recently celebrated the launch of the much-loved children’s YouTube channel, “Pakkay Dost – Season 3,” at Auditorium II. The event was graced by Sindh’s Minister for Culture, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah, acclaimed humorist Anwar Maqsood, and prominent figures from the arts and literature scene, including creator Bilal Maqsood, Sultana Siddiqui, and Mazhar Abbas.

During the ceremony, it was proudly announced that “Pakkay Dost” would now be available in both Urdu and Sindhi, expanding its reach to even more young viewers. Minister Zulfiqar Ali Shah emphasized the dire need for quality children’s content and voiced concerns about children losing touch with their native languages. He expressed confidence that “Pakkay Dost” would gain international acclaim for blending entertainment with meaningful lessons. He also encouraged expanding the show into other regional languages like Balochi, Punjabi, and Pashto while assuring continued government support.

Muhammad Ahmed Shah praised the initiative, lauding Bilal Maqsood’s dedication in pausing his own musical career to champion children’s programming. Sultana Siddiqui echoed the desire for more children-focused projects, highlighting the challenges faced in securing sponsors for such content.

Bilal Maqsood expressed heartfelt excitement, describing “Pakkay Dost” as a heartfelt journey to inspire love for Urdu among kids through engaging and wholesome entertainment. He stressed the significance of positive role models and quality content during a child’s formative years and stressed that while screen time can’t always be limited, the content consumed should nurture sincere values and friendship.

The new season features special episodes on vital topics like road safety with Sarah Yusuf and guest appearances from celebrities including Asim Azhar and Shehzad Roy. With strong backing from the Sindh Government and various sponsors, “Pakkay Dost” now serves as an educational resource in thousands of schools nationwide. New episodes drop every Monday at 6 PM on YouTube, promising humor, catchy songs, and lessons celebrating Urdu.

Looking ahead, a collaboration with UNICEF is underway to launch a new “Pakkay Dost” series, aiming to create even greater impact for Pakistani children across the country.