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Pakistan’s annual heritage fair promotes culture in colors

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Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)
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Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)
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Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)
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Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)
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Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)
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Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)
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Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)
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Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)
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Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)
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Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)
Updated 18 November 2019
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Pakistan’s annual heritage fair promotes culture in colors

  • Lok Virsa art and crafts festival attracts thousands of visitors to experience country’s diverse culture
  • 10-day festival features food, native dresses, music, crafts, artisans, and performances
Updated 18 November 2019
Sib Kaifee

Islamabad: 'Lok Mela' by Lok Virsa is an opportunity for Pakistanis and foreigners to experience the diverse and vibrant cultures of the country’s four provinces and regions in a day during the 10 days of the annual folk festival organized in Islamabad.




Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)

Lok Virsa, the National Institute of Folk & Traditional Heritage which has a prime directive to preserve, document and promote Pakistan’s cultural heritage has been organizing this festival on its premises for decades in the hills of Shakarparian park. The fair kicked off on Friday and is scheduled to end on November 24.




Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)

Colorful pavilions representing Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir are exhibiting their respective cuisines, indigenous folk music, songs, dances, attire, crafts, and artisans have been a treat for visitors arriving in droves to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the cultural elements.




Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)

Each night the festival premieres a special musical event of a province or a ceremony with live performances or a theatrical show. For children’s entertainment, the organizers have set up a limited time period puppet show. The craft bazaar and dance performances would be enough to keep visitors occupied with enjoyment.  




Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)

Several stalls, many managed by female artisans demonstrated the contribution of women in Pakistan’s economic process.

At the Baluchistan pavilion, craftswoman Aziz Fatima demonstrated her skills in Balochi embroidery, a centuries-old tradition she continues taught by her mother which Fatima intends to preserve by teaching girls in her community.




Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)

Lacquer artisan, Farhat Bibi from D.I. Khan showed her skills on how to protect woodwork and add designs by applying layers of the coating in different colors while the material is rotated on a simple wooden lathe machine. In the process, patterns are etched on the surface using a thick iron needle exposing each color as per requirements.




Festivities, foods, handicrafts and entertainment at the heritage festival of Lok Virsa in Islamabad exhibiting diverse culture from Pakistan's provinces and regions. (AN Photo)

Ameer Bukhsh from Kahror Pacca, Punjab showed his skills in Woodblock pattern using natural dye, a historical-artistic designing technique originating from the lower Indus valley around southern Punjab and most of Sindh. Bukhsh has imparted his textile craft training to family members and other artisans.

There are multiple attractions for visitors to keep people from all walks of life entertained and engaged. Arab News captured the moments to give a glimpse of the country’s cultural colors festival.

Topics: Pakistan Lok Mela Lok Virsa Islamabad culture

OIC, COMSTECH to hold inaugural meeting in Islamabad this month on water security in OIC states

Updated 16 February 2025
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OIC, COMSTECH to hold inaugural meeting in Islamabad this month on water security in OIC states

  • Water security remains a critical issue for many OIC member states as climate change, poor resource management continue to threaten economic development
  • The networking event aims to strengthen institutional linkages, facilitate joint research initiatives, and enhance capacity-building efforts of OIC members
Updated 16 February 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) general secretariat in Jeddah, in collaboration with the OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), is set to organize a meeting of water centers of excellence in OIC member states in Islamabad on Feb. 24-25, COMSTECH said on Sunday.
The OIC is the second-largest intergovernmental organization in the world, after the United Nations. It consists of 57 Muslim member states spread across four continents and is considered a collective voice of Muslim countries around the world. 
Established by the OIC in 1981 and headquartered in Islamabad, COMSTECH continues to serve as a cornerstone of the OIC’s mission to promote scientific excellence and technological innovation, focusing on sustainable development, poverty reduction, and improvement in quality of life across member states.
The meeting in Islamabad this month aims to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and coordinated action among leading water research and development institutions across OIC member states, according to COMSTECH.
“The meeting will bring together experts, policymakers, and representatives from water centers of excellence across the OIC region. The participants will discuss pressing water-related challenges and explore innovative solutions for sustainable water management,” the OIC body said in a statement.
“The event will host representatives from multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Russia, Senegal, Somalia, Togo, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, UAE, and Yemen, among others.”
Water security remains a critical issue for many OIC member states, while challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, pollution and inefficient resource management continue to threaten economic and social development.
The inaugural networking event in Islamabad aims to strengthen institutional linkages, facilitate joint research initiatives, and enhance capacity-building efforts among member states, according to COMSTECH.
“The key objectives of this important meeting include establishing a collaborative network of water centers of excellence within the OIC framework, promoting knowledge exchange on best practices in water conservation, management, and policy development and strengthening cooperation between governments, research institutions, and international organizations for sustainable water solutions,” it said.
The event, featuring expert panel discussions, technical presentations and interactive networking sessions, will provide a platform for meaningful engagement and the development of long-term partnerships.
“As the host of this pivotal meeting, COMSTECH continues to play a leading role in enhancing scientific and technological cooperation among OIC member states,” COMSTECH said. “This initiative aligns with the broader objectives of the OIC in advancing science and technology for sustainable development.”

Topics: Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) COMSTECH water security

Pakistan foils attempt to traffick women to Saudi Arabia under guise of Umrah

Updated 16 February 2025
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Pakistan foils attempt to traffick women to Saudi Arabia under guise of Umrah

  • Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency says four women were being sent to Kingdom for forced labor
  • Ex-Punjab Police employee, travel agent involved in the crime, say Pakistan’s investigation authorities 
Updated 16 February 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Sunday foiled an attempt to traffick four women to Saudi Arabia under the guise of Umrah, the agency said, adding that a former police employee was involved in the crime. 

The incident took place at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, where FIA officials offloaded four women from a flight who were traveling to the Kingdom on an Umrah visa, the agency said. 

“According to the initial investigation, the victims were being sent to Saudi Arabia for forced labor,” the FIA said in a statement, adding that the women had traveled to the Kingdom before. 

The agency said the preliminary investigations revealed a former Punjab Police employee, Asia, was involved in the crime. The FIA said that Asia had borne the travel expenses of the four women to Saudi Arabia. 

 “An agent named Wasim Gujjar was facilitating the stay and other expenses [of the women] in Saudi Arabia,” the statement said. 

The agency said it was extracting information from the women about other agents involved in the crime.

Pakistan has acknowledged the issue of its citizens exploiting the Umrah visa to travel to Saudi Arabia and resorting to begging there. Last year it launched a crackdown against the practice. 

The trend of beggars abusing visas to beg in foreign countries has Pakistan worried it could impact genuine visa-seekers and particularly religious pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. According to widespread media reports, Riyadh raised the issue with Islamabad at various forums last year. 

Pakistanis are the second-largest expatriate community in the Kingdom, with over 2.5 million living and working in Saudi Arabia, the top source of remittances to the South Asian country. 

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Arabia

Paramilitary soldier killed in attack targeting Levies checkpost in Pakistan’s southwest

Updated 16 February 2025
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Paramilitary soldier killed in attack targeting Levies checkpost in Pakistan’s southwest

  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemns attack, vows to defeat militancy in country
  • Southwestern Balochistan has long faced a low-level insurgency by Baloch militants
Updated 16 February 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday condemned a “terrorist attack” that targeted a Levies checkpost in southwestern Pakistan and resulted in the killing of one paramilitary soldier, his office said. 

The casualty occurred in southwestern Balochistan’s Kalat district where a checkpost of the paramilitary Levies force was targeted in an attack, Sharif’s office said. As per local media reports, two other Levies personnel were injured. 

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemns the terrorist attack on a Levies post in Kalat,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement. “The prime minister pays tribute to martyred officer Ali Nawaz.”

Sharif also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured personnel, saying that “terrorists” were enemies of Balochistan’s progress and development. 

“Will not allow the nefarious objectives of terrorists to succeed,” Sharif was quoted as saying by the PMO. 

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by landmass and rich in mineral resources, has long faced a low-level insurgency led by separatist groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), who accuse Islamabad of exploiting the province’s natural resources, such as gold and copper, while neglecting the local population.

Pakistan’s government denies these allegations, saying it has prioritized Balochistan’s development through investments in health, education and infrastructure projects.

Earlier this month, 18 security forces were killed and five, including two civilians, were injured after separatist militants launched overnight attacks in Balochistan's Mangochar town. The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack

Violence by Baloch separatist factions, primarily the BLA, killed about 300 people last year, according to official statistics, marking an escalation in the decades-long conflict.

Indian cricketers arrive in Dubai for Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy

Updated 16 February 2025
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Indian cricketers arrive in Dubai for Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy

  • India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on Feb. 20
  • Dubai will host India’s Champions Trophy matches due to tensions with Pakistan
Updated 16 February 2025
Fatimah Amjad

ISLAMABAD: India’s national cricket squad arrived in Dubai this week to take part in the Champions Trophy 2025 cricket tournament hosted by Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed this week. 

Led by skipper Rohit Sharma, India will begin their campaign to win the trophy on Feb. 20 against Bangladesh in Dubai. 

India’s government refused to send its team to Pakistan for the tournament due to political tensions and security concerns. As a result, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), BCCI and the International Cricket Council (ICC) agreed that India will play all of its matches in Dubai as a form of a hybrid model. 

“Touchdown Dubai,” BCCI wrote on its Instagram profile on Saturday. “Indian cricket team has arrived for Champions Trophy 2025.”

A video uploaded by the BCCI shows Indian cricketers Sharma, Virat Kohli and others embarking their tour bus and arriving at their hotel. 

India will take on Pakistan in Dubai on Feb. 23 in what is being touted as one of the most anticipated cricket clashes of the year.

India’s matches with Pakistan draw thousands of spectators to stadiums across the globe while millions tune in from their homes.

Defending champions Pakistan beat India in the final of the Champions Trophy tournament in 2017 by 180 runs to lift the trophy.

Pakistan share Group A with India, New Zealand and Bangladesh. They take on New Zealand in the southern port city of Karachi on Feb. 19. 

Topics: Champions Trophy 2025 ICC Pakistan Dubai Team India

Pakistan’s Punjab province launches mass tree plantation drive to fight smog 

Updated 16 February 2025
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Pakistan’s Punjab province launches mass tree plantation drive to fight smog 

  • Punjab to plant 634,000 trees along banks of River Ravi in Lahore, says provincial minister
  • Provincial government has already planted 105,000 trees over 44 acres of land, she says 
Updated 16 February 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province has launched a campaign to plant 634,000 trees in Lahore in its bid to curb smog in the eastern city, a minister of the provincial government said on Sunday. 

Air pollution or smog choked Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, particularly Lahore, for weeks in November 2024, sickening nearly two million people and shrouding vast swathes of the province in a toxic haze.

The intense air pollution forced Punjab to close schools and offices, ban outdoor activities and shorten timings for restaurants, shops and markets last year in a bid to control the smog. Lahore also consistently ranked among the world’s most polluted cities in the world. 

Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that the provincial government has launched the tree plantation project on 978 acres of land on the banks of River Ravi in Lahore. 

“A tree plantation campaign in Lahore is essential to end air pollution and extreme heat,” Aurangzeb said. “A green belt on 978 acres on the banks of the Ravi River will provide fresh oxygen and clean air to citizens.”

She urged citizens to join the government in its efforts to erect “a wall of trees” in Lahore to ensure a smog-free Lahore, adding that 105,000 trees have already been planted on 144 acres of land near River Ravi. 

Punjab’s battle against smog led it to install Pakistan’s first locally designed smog cleaning tower in Lahore in December 2024. Smog towers are large-scale air purifiers designed to reduce pollution by filtering out fine particulate matter and other harmful pollutants. 

Using fans, the towers draw in polluted air, which passes through high-efficiency filters to capture PM2.5 and PM10 particles, which pose severe health risks. The cleaned air is then released back into the surrounding area, improving local air quality.

Topics: Pakistan Lahore

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