Fiza Batool Gilani visits Lok Mela

Lok Virsa is doing a great service to the nation by safeguarding Pakistan’s indigenous folk culture and supporting traditional practitioners associated with different art and craft fields, including master artisans, folk artists, rural musicians and folk dancers who are the real bearers of our magnificent heritage. Goodwill Ambassador for Women Empowerment, Fiza Batool Gilani, expressed these views while visiting Lok Mela here on Wednesday.
She visited various stalls of the folk festival, organized by Lok Virsa, showcasing rich culture, arts, crafts, music and traditions from each and every region of the country.
She also announced six awards of Rs 10,000 each for female master artisans participating in the festival from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir.
Fiza said that all cultural institutions in Pakistan, including Lok Virsa, were founded by Quaid-i-Awam Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto when Pakistan Peoples Party first came into power in the 1970s. His talented daughter, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, also strengthened them, taking forward the vision of her father.
She assured that the present democratic government of Pakistan People’s Party is determined to take every possible measure to promote and protect the culture of the country not only at home but also abroad because culture is the tool which can be brought into utilization for creating a soft image for the country. She also expressed her hope that philanthropists and multi-nationals would also come forward and join hands with Lok Virsa and the Government of Pakistan for creating more avenues for the craftspeople and effectively protecting the cultural venues of the country. On arrival, she was given a warm welcome by a group of folk dancers attired in traditional costumes. She was escorted by the folk dancers and drummers with their thrilling performances from Lok Virsa’s main gate to the festival grounds where she visited provincial pavilions depicting rich culture and traditional architecture of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkwa, Gilgit Baltisan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, witnessed exotic performances and met participants who had come from all ­over the country.