MULTAN: A five-day colorful Jashan-i-Multan (Multan festival) organized by the district government commenced here on Wednesday.

Commissioner Sher Alam ehsud inaugurated the festival at the Divisional Sports Ground. MDA Additional Director General Asif Ali Farrukh and other officials were also present.

The commissioner said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif assigned him the task of preserving the historical and cultural heritage of Multan besides the development of the area.

Mr Mehsud said the government would launch such projects to preserve the art and culture of Multan that would be helpful for artists to earn their livelihood.

He said that already established parks in the city would be rehabilitated in the first phase while new parks with jogging and walking tracks would be established in the second phase.

The commissioner urged the Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the civil society to come forward in preserving the historical heritage of the city. He said the Multan festival would be celebrated every year.

DCO Zahid Saleem Gondal said there was much sweetness in Seraiki language and that was why he suggested the slogan of the festival as “Sadi Saqafat---Sadi Shan” (Our culture -- our pride)

Assistant Commissioner Sadder Shakeel Ahmad Bhatti said that about 100 stalls of flowers had been established by public and private sector organizations.

He said a seminar titled ‘Resham Dilan-i-Multan’ would be held on March 22 in which articles relating to the history of Multan would be read.

He said that art and craft exhibitions would be held at the Sports Complex on Thursday (today).

He announced a mushaira on March 21 and folk night on March 23.