The week-long Lahore Shopping Festival-2012, being jointly organised by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Punjab government, will be inaugurated at the Polo Club, Race Course Park, today (Sunday). MNA Hamza Shahbaz Sharif would be the chief guest of the event. A polo match will also be part of the inauguration ceremony that will be attended by ministers, bureaucrats and businessmen. The Lahore Shopping Festival is a combination of events, including a three day expo at Lahore Expo center, Polo tournament, Qirat competition, a young entrepreneur business plan competition, photography competition, vintage car rally, Punjabi Cultural night, Job fair, business walk, Lahore wrestling championship, motor bike rally, fashion show, Energy conference and a soft ball cricket tournament. Almost all renowned business groups are showcasing their products at the three-day Punjab Expo, being held for the second time. An energy conference would also be held at Royal Palm Golf and Country Club, where leading economic experts would be highlighting the potential of Punjab. A methodology to overcome energy challenges being faced by the country would be presented to the government. The qualifying rounds for the Qirat competition had already been completed and a total 20 Qaris out of 167 participants qualified for the final of the competition to be held on April 23. Renowned scholars Hafiz Ajwad Ubaid of Jamia Ashrafia and Hafiz Mohammad Rafique Naqashbandi of Jamian Naeemia are performing as chief judges while Hafiz Husanian hashmi, Qari Tauseef Abbassi, Qari Sher Mohammad are performing as their deputies.
The LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh was the chief guest while Senior Vice President Kashif Younis Meher, former Senior Vice Presidents Sohail Lashari and Sheikh Mohammad Arshad and former EC member Mian Zahid Javaid were also present in the qualifying round.
Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI President Irfan qaiser Sheikh thanked all the participants for taking part in the LCCI Qirat Competition. He said the LCCI management had decided to make the Qirat Competition an annual event. He also paid rich tributes to the judges for sparing time for the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Giving details about the Lahore Shopping Festival 2012,he said it would not only expedite trade and business activities in the country but would also highlight the soft image of country and to bring the investors back.