HYDERABAD, Dec 19: Sindh Secretary for Information Mehtab Akbar Rashdi has said that intellectuals are the only people who can lead the Indo-Pakistan normalization process.

She was talking to newsmen here on Sunday after inaugurating a five-day exhibition of paintings and textile design, "Rangon Ki Barsat" organized by the Bell Institute of Fashion and Textile, Hyderabad.

She welcomed the visit of Indian Sindhi intellectuals to Pakistan. Recalling the old glory of Hyderabad, Ms Rashdi said the city had remained the nucleus of the Sindhi culture but unfortunately it had declined in recent times.

She said it was a matter of concern that handicrafts and cultural items were being exported from this city but there was no publicity while other cities were getting benefits in the international market through the export of handicrafts.

She said it was a good step to provide a platform to talented youth to popularize their creativity through promotion of Sindh's culture by holding such exhibitions so that the city could regain its due name.

Ms Rashdi said there was need for improving the quality of export goods to meet the requirements of the international market. She said if we could not improve the quality in near future our export goods would vanish from the international market.

She said it was the need of the hour to learn the English language, otherwise we would not be able to compete in the international market. The chairman of the Bell Institution, Mr Farasat Ali, and Mr Saleem welcomed the chief guest.

They said a platform was being provided to young talent youth to boost up their creativity and innovations so that they could contribute their share for promoting the Sindhi culture.