KARACHI, Jan 9: Singers on the last day of the three-day Sindh Sea Festival on Sunday presented folk songs and dances while a smart team of Pakistan Navy demonstrated judo karate and a dramatic rescue operation in which helicopters were also used.

The festival was held at the Clifton seashore and drew large crowds. The navy personnel also presented a mock chase-and-capture operation depicting encounter with a gang of smugglers in sea.

The fire brigade personnel at the ceremony presented a daring fire-fighting drill. The fire-fighters showed their skills in extinguishing the fire which had engulfed a highrise, rescuing people in distress and transferring them to hospital in ambulances.

A display of fireworks was perhaps one of the most enchanting events as the audience constantly clapped from the start till the end of the show. The fire-works was the main feature of the concluding ceremony.

Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, speaking as the chief guest of the ceremony, said that the presence of such a huge number of people at the Sindh Sea Festival reflects the complete normalcy having returned to the city. "People feel safe and fully secure and are now able to enjoy outing and have fun without any fear.''

He noted that the festival, being held regularly for the last three years, was becoming more and more exciting with the passage of time. He expressed the hope that owing to the government's ongoing efforts, the next events would bring even more fun.

He lauded the spirit behind the setting up of the 'cultural village' at the festival which, he said, beautifully illustrated the rich cultural heritage of Sindh.

However, he pointed out that the region's culture needed to be portrayed fully, and hoped that next year the cultural village at the festival would be set up on a much bigger scale to cover the lifestyle in the areas from Thar to Kachho and Nara, also.

He stressed the need for organizing many such festivals which could provide the artisans ample opportunities to display their skills and introduce their handicrafts to the urban population.

Dr Ibad said that the funds generated through this festival would be donated to the fund meant for the victims of tsunami disaster that had devastated many countries in south east Asia leaving more than 150,000 dead and rendering over a million others homeless.

Earlier, Sindh Minister for Culture Shabbir Qaimkhani, Zohaib Hassan and others spoke at the ceremony. It was announced that such festivals would also be held in Larkana, Sukkur, Hyderabad and other towns of the province next year, though the concluding events would be held in Karachi.

Earlier, the governor went round different stalls and saw the cultural village, fishing village, etc. He also visited the stall set up by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency.

The governor unveiled a replica of the green turtle that had been placed in the centre of the festival ground. Dr Ibad called for a one-minute silence for the tsunami victims which was observed by all those present at the festival. Later, the governor distributed prizes among the organizers of fishing village, cultural village, Pakistan Navy and fire and rescue services department.