Baloch Culture day celebrated with zeal

Large number of people participates in events across province

QUETTA: The Baloch Culture Day was celebrated on Saturday with zeal and fervour across Balochistan including the provincial capital. A large number of people particularly Baloch youth took part in the celebrations wearing traditional Baloch dresses.

The main ceremony of International Baloch Culture Day was held in Noori Naseer Khan Cultural Auditorium where men, women and children celebrated the annual cultural day and enjoyed folk dance performances.

Despite heavy snowfall and rain the provincial capital, people came out to celebrate the culture day.

Speaking at a ceremony, Balochistan Assembly Deputy Speaker Sardar Babar Musakhail said, “Balochistan has a rich culture and we must keep it alive by celebrating cultural days.”

Members of provincial assembly and political parties’ leaders participated in the ceremony organised by the Balochistan National Party. A rally to mark the annual culture day was held in Gandakha. Organised by Baghtain Awami Ittihad and BNP-Awami, the rally marched on various streets singing Balochi songs.

A large number of participants wearing Balochi dresses and turbans and holding sticks and swords in their hands performed dance and chanted slogans in favour of Balochistan and Pakistan.

Addressing the rally, Ali Murad Naichari, Islam Jattak, Dr Nayaz Plal, Raza Jamali and others said despite the heavy rains we are celebrating our cultural day because we love our culture.

A ceremony to mark the International Baloch Culture day was also held in Taftan, a town at Pakistan-Iran border. Lieutenant Colonel 109 Wing Syed Waqar Hussain participated in the event as chief guest.

Meer Amanullah Muhammad Hassani, Muhammad Shareef Mengal, Sardar Khuda-e-Noor Muhammad Hassani, Comrade Abdul Manan Mengal and other tribal elders addressed the ceremony and said we belong to a nation whose rich culture and customs are respected in the world.

They said the Baloch nation for thousands of years has been striving to protect its culture and language. We are responsible to promote our rich culture as nations that neglect their culture have vanished.

Events in connection with the day were also held in Khuzdar, Mastung, Kalat, Gawadar, Turbat, Panjgur, Naseerabad, Dera Murad Jamali, Naushki, Dalbandin and other districts of the province.

Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Information Murtaza Wahab in his message on annual Baloch Culture Day felicitated all Balochi brothers and sisters across the country and said the Baloch Culture Day is a festival of peace, happiness and love.

“The day highlights rich cultural values of Balochistan and Balochi people before the whole world. Balochis are known for their rich traditions and cultural aspects and they live in our heart,” he said.

(With additional input from PPI)