February 6, 2003	Thursday	Zul Hijjah 4,1423

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: While the government, political parties and peace activists staged rallies to draw world attention towards Indian occupation forces’ atrocities in the held valley, Lok Virsa organized a different kind of show to project Kashmir and its people.

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Northern Areas and SAFRON Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, along with the secretary culture, Tariq Janjua, paid a visit to Lok Virsa on Wednesday afternoon, and toured various pavilions and stalls set up at the show.

Singers Rukhsana Murtaza, Hina Siddiqui and Saba sang popular Kashmiri songs. They were accompanied by Mukhtar Ahmed on Santoor, Ghulam Ahmed Dar on Kashmiri Sarangi, Ghulam Nabi on Tumaknanari, Ghulam Mohammad Butt on Ghara, Mohammad Ajmal on Tabla and Anees Ahmed on Keyboard. The group performed in the open air theatre of Lok Virsa and presented Kashmiri, Gojri and Urdu folk songs.

Lok Virsa also organized a show of Kashmiri handicrafts where renowned craftsmen displayed their products, including papier mache, Namda, Gabba, and woodwork.

A Kashmiri folklore troupe, Tala Ruz, also amused the visitors with traditional Kashmiri dances. Tala Ruz is a traditional headgear worn by Kashmiri maidens on foreheads.

The Kashmiri cuisine corner was probably the most visited where people enjoyed traditional delicacies like ‘Gushtaba’, ‘Ristay’, ‘Aalo-Palak’ with rice and Kashmiri tea.

A number of NGOs, mainly engaged in women empowerment sector, were also represented in the show.

Mr Sherpao, speaking on the occasion, said Pakistan would continue to extend diplomatic, moral and political support to the Kashmiris, who had been subjected to the worst kind of human rights violations in history.

“We are observing Kashmir Solidarity Day today to reaffirm our unstinted support for the Kashmiri people who are struggling for their inalienable right to self-determination,” the minister said. He said Pakistan would step up its efforts to garner world support on the Kashmir dispute.

The secretary culture, Tariq Janjua, while appreciating the skills of the Kashmiri craftsmen at the show, said the foreign dignatories visiting Pakistan should be presented with Pakistani handicrafts instead of the expensive carpets, which had become kind of a tradition.

The secretary said this move would also help promote Pakistani handicrafts at the international level. He recommended setting up of institutions to preserve and promote traditional skills.