Destination: Pakistan

Jashn-e-Baharan or Bassant: With the advent of spring Basant Festival is celebrated with pomp and show in mid-February every year in Lahore. In other words, this is the spring festival. Alleging that kite flying is a Hindu event is also sheer ignorance. The sport originated in China about 5000 years ago, when Hinduism was nonexistent. Why single out kite-flying then, especially when it is a source of joy for the old and the young men and women? The simple reason is that Hindu at Basant Festival flies kites for enjoying Basant. At times Muslims who were living together with Hindus in the sub-continent also join them in kite-flying. Since then Muslims are taking participation in just kite-flying at the time of Basant connotating it as Pala Urant. Nowadays people of Lahore enjoy it by kite flying competition and by visiting the shrine of saint Madho Lal Hussein, where they assemble to pay their benediction.

Sindh Horse & Cattle Show (Last week of February): At Jacobabad (Sindh). Similar activities as in Sibi Festival.

Jashan-e-Larkana (Last week of February): At Larkana (Sindh) with Traditional sports, an exhibition of handicrafts, folk music, and dances.

Sibi Festival (Last week of February): This festival falls in the last week of February at Sibi. Traditional sports, handicrafts exhibition, folk music, and dances.

Basant Kite Flying Festival: The Basant festival heralds the end of winter and arrival of spring. It is celebrated in the entire country, with flying kites. Lahore, Kasoor, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Gujrat, Faisalabad, and other major cities of Punjab become the hub of activities with the sky full of kites of different styles, sizes, and colors. This festival starts at mid-night when the white kites flying in the sky are lit with millions of floodlights from every rooftop. People enjoy kite matches and freely use amplifiers, music, drums, fireworks, and dance. The festival continues for the full night and full day.

Folk Festival: Folk Dances, artisans at work, folk products on display and for sale, folk music, folk & classical dance, open-air theater, magic shows, puppet shows, photographic exhibitions, food stalls, regional cuisines, and many other colorful cultural activities. Organized by the Institute of Folk Heritage, Islamabad at Folk Heritage Complex Shakar Parian, Islamabad.

Nauroze (21-23 March): Celebrated only in Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, and Chitral. Polo, foot-ball, volley-ball and hockey matches, folk dances and music.

Horse & Cattle Show (End of March till 1st week of April): At Dera Ismail Khan. Local games, folk dances, music, cattle races, and exhibition of local handicrafts.

Mela Bari Imam: March-April. The Urs (birthday) celebrations of Shah Abdul Latif also known as Bari Imam – He was one of the most prominent saints of the Pakistan-Indian Sub-Continent during. This is one of the largest Urs in Pakistan featuring visits of pilgrims in millions from all over the country. Colorful food & handicrafts stalls, folk music, folk dances, handicrafts, and a variety of faces.

Mela Chiraghan: (Last week of March) Mela Chiraghan (festival of lamps) a mega event for the people of Punjab and especially for Lahorites is celebrated with traditional fervor and activities at the shrine of the renowned Sufi Shah Hussain. This festival is held for 1 week outside the Shalimar Gardens, Lahore. The festival attracts a large number of performing artists who mostly sing Shah Hussain’s kafees and dance to the drums.

Pakistan Day (23 March): Pakistan Day is a momentous milestone in the history of Pakistan’s movement. This event is held to mark the anniversary of Pakistan Resolution passed by the Muslims of South Asia on March 23, 1940, at Minto Park (now Iqbal Park), Lahore. The resolution was presented by A. K. Fazlul Huq. The nation commemorates this day with great zeal and enthusiasm, to honor the most outstanding achievement of the Muslims of South Asia who passed the historic Pakistan Resolution resulting in the creation of Pakistan under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah; a homeland where they could live in peace, harmony and in accordance with the tenets of Islam.

Jashan-e-Shikarpur (In April for 1 week): At Shikarpur, Sindh. Cultural activities, local sports, and handicrafts exhibition.

Joshi or Chilimjusht (14-15 May): Kalash festival of welcoming spring, held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Folk dances, music, and exchange of dishes.

Utchal (15-16 July): This event is celebrated by Kalash people in Kalash Valleys, Chitral.It is celebrated to mark the harvest of wheat and barley. The celebration lasts for two days with dancing, singing, and feasting being its main features.

Shandur Polo Festival: (held in July) Traditional polo tournament between the teams of Chitral and Gilgit is being held on the highest polo ground of the world – The Shandur Pass (Chitral district). Allied activities include fold music, folk dances, and other competitions. A tent village along Shandur Lake will be set up in cooperation with the local administration.

Independence Day (14 August): This glorious day is a landmark in our history to commemorate the independence of Pakistan. Independence Day is celebrated with zeal and fervor in all parts of the country on August 14 with special programs arranged in all big and small towns and rural areas. On this day, meetings, processions, and rallies are held all over the country and the whole country is decorated on this day. People from various walks of life decorate their houses with national flags and the buildings, city shopping centers, bazaars, and all the main roads are also being adorned with flags and fancy lights.

Eid Milad-u-Nabi: Eid Milad-un-Nabi is celebrated to observe the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) on 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal which is the 3rd month of Islamic Calendar. On this holy day, streets and mosques are decorated and Milads are conducted.

Defense of Pakistan Day (06 September): The 6th of September is a golden chapter in the history of Pakistan, when Pakistan, its military, and people stood united in 1965 in defense of Pakistan and resolve to halt and beat back Indian multi-dimensional attacks against Pakistan. This historic day is commemorated through parades and exhibitions of military equipment at Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and Karachi.

Air force Day (07 September): Air Force day is celebrated on the 7th of September marking the official beginning of the Indo-Pak war of 1965. That day Air shows and other programs mark the PAF’s role in defending the nation. This day is celebrated by a display of the latest aircraft of Pakistan Airforce and air shows at Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta.

Phool (20 – 25 September): Held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Another colorful Kafir Kalash Festival celebrating reaping of grapes and walnuts in all the three Kalash Valleys of Chitral. Kafirs are the descendants of Alexander’s army who came into this region in 327 B.C. Ever since these people have never stepped out of these valleys & still leading primitive life based on matriarchal society. Their odd rituals, strange habits & queer customs attract and bewitch tourists from all over the world.

Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s Festival: This festival is held every year to mark the Urs (birth) celebration of the popular Sindhi mystic Shah Abdul Sehwan Sharif. The district authorities hold this festival during August-September each year. Pilgrims from all over Pakistan participate in hundreds of thousands. Marked with group dancing (called dhammal), qawwali (religious songs), and colorful stalls of regional cuisines.

Lok Mela (1st week of October, for one week): The festival presents a unique opportunity to watch the culture and craft of the whole country in one place. This Folk Festival is held for one week at Islamabad. It includes Folk Music, songs, music contests, folk dances, craftsmen at work, exhibition and sale of handicrafts.

Chowmas (18-21 October): Held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Welcoming of winter with first snow-fall. Activities restrict to indoor.

Jashan-e-Gilgit: Held in Gilgit with Divisional Polo Tournament as the main highlight added with folk dances, music, dance, local games, wrestling, tug of war, acrobatics, etc. Display of regional handicrafts, embroideries, regional cuisines & dresses.

Birthday of Allama Muhammad Iqbal (09 November): 9th November is celebrated as the birthday of the National Poet of Pakistan, Allama Iqbal. The event is celebrated with a lot of debating and poetry contests held at different institutes all over Pakistan.

National Industrial Exhibition Lahore (3rd week of November for 15 days): Held at Fortress Stadium, Lahore. Exhibition and sale of industrial products and handicrafts of Pakistan.

National Horse & Cattle Show Lahore (3rd week of November for 05 days ): Held at Fortress Stadium, Lahore. Cattle races, cattle dances, tent-pegging, tattoo show, folk music, dances, bands, cultural floats, and folk games. The show has been described as an eloquent expression of Pakistan’s heritage and an authentic account of its agricultural and industrial achievements. It is held in Lahore Fortress stadium at the end of February or at the First week of March. The fortress stadium, the venue of the show is thronged by active participants, foreign visitors, and peoples who watch the festival with great enthusiasm, verve, and aplomb.

Iqbal Day: Commemoration of the birthday of the philosopher, poet, and creator of Pakistan Allama Iqbal. Celebrated throughout Pakistan. The day is marked with seminars, conventions, debates, and speech competitions all over Pakistan. Iqbal’s poetry in Urdu & Persian is considered to be among the greatest of the modern era, and whose vision of an independent state for the Muslims of British India was to inspire the creation of Pakistan.

Birth Anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam (25 December): This is celebrated on 25th December as the birthday of the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam and Christmas. This day is celebrated by the Christian minority and the whole nation.

Chowas: Another Kafir Kalash Winter Festival to welcome the first snowfall in Chitral Valley. All dance & music parties are held indoors due to heavy snowfall. Celebrated in all the three Kalash valleys. Kafirs are the descendants of Alexander’s army who came into this region in 327 B.C. Ever since these people have never stepped out of these valleys & still leading primitive life based on matriarchal society. Their odd rituals, strange habits & queer customs attract and bewitch tourists from all over the world.