Lok Virsa marks 50th anniversary

The 50th anniversary of Lok Virsa was officially inaugurated on Friday by Hassan Ajmal Jami, Secretary of the National Heritage and Culture Division, as the chief guest.

The event took place at Lok Virsa's open-air theatre at 3.30pm and was attended by diplomats, provincial representatives, artisans, artists, musicians, media personnel, and members of the public from across the country.

The ceremony began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a welcome address by Muzaffar Ali Burki, Executive Director of Lok Virsa. Burki highlighted the importance of the Lok Mela in fostering cultural unity among Pakistan's federating units, as well as its role in empowering artisans, artists, and performers. He also expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Indonesia for their participation in the International Pavilion.

In his keynote address, Chief Guest Hassan Ajmal Jami praised the impressive arrangements of the Lok Mela and commended Lok Virsa for its pivotal role in showcasing Pakistan's authentic cultural heritage to the world. He reiterated the government's commitment to promoting the country's rich traditions on the global stage and emphasised the significance of the Youth Pavilion in empowering young people and combating extremism. Two distinguished artisans—Sheikh Muhammad Yusuf and Sania from Kailash—were honoured for their exceptional contributions to traditional crafts.