Pakistan Cultural Week: Colours of Potohar bring PM to Lok Virsa

Activities inaugurated amid confusion for visitors.

ISLAMABAD:

To promote the soft image of the country, a week-long “Pakistan Cultural Week’’ kicked off at Lok Virsa on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, who was the chief guest on the occasion, inaugurated the event at a ceremony in Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

However, the security protocol for the PM, left many visitors disgruntled who were not allowed to join the opening ceremony. The confusion arose when the venue for the opening ceremony was shifted from Lok Virsa to PNCA at the last hour, said an official.

“I was informed that the opening ceremony had been shifted due to security reasons and because of that all of us have been denied entry,” said Muhammad Aftab, a visitor standing at the entrance of Lok Virsa.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said that Pakistan has a rich and diverse culture and the people of the country are proud custodians of the cultural legacy transferred to them from generation to generation over a period of times.



He said that due to current wave of terrorism cultural activities like Pakistan cultural week can not only play a vital role in providing healthy entertainment to the masses but also serve to educate and young generation about their traditional culture.

Meanwhile, Executive Director Lok Virsa Khalid Javed, while giving the details about the event, said that since the past four three years this cultural week is being held regularly in which artists from different parts of the country get a chance to showcase their talent. “This year’s focus would be on the Potohar region,” he added.

An artisan busy at work. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS

Over 30 stalls have been setup by artists from different parts of the country. These include pottery, traditional cuisines and crafts bazaar.

Besides, traditional dances in colourful dresses were also performed to keep the visitors entertained.  “It’s a coincidence that we are holding this cultural week on the eve of New Year. Prime Minister graciously agreed to inaugurate the event as he also belongs to the Pohohar region,” Javed added.

He said that event will continue till January 7 and artist from all provinces including Shazia Khushk, Hadiqa Kiani, Fazal Hussain Jatt, Shahzia Bano, Haseena Naz, and Akhtar Chanar will perform.

“Since the last three year, I have been participating in cultural events across the country and I am really looking forward to performing in the capital,” said Haseena Naz, a famous folk sing from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

Federal Minister for National Heritage Samina Khalid Ghurki in her address said that such initiatives of the government aim at involving the masses in a campaign which can help them earn livelihood while projecting our culture.

The event has been organised by the Ministry for National Heritage and Integration in collaboration with Lok Virsa.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2013.