LAHORE: Saraiki nationalists, political parties, civil society members and students on Monday gathered outside Multan Tea House to celebrate Saraiki culture day.

The activists of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Saraikistan Qaumi Council, Saraikistan Democratic Party were present on the occasion.

PPP’s Syed Mujtaba Gillani inaugurated the Saraiki cultural day ceremonies after cutting the ribbon at Tea House. Saraiki nationalists Zahoor Dhereja, Rana Fraz Noon, Mian Noorul Haq Jhandeer, Shahnawaz Mashoori and Mazhar Javed Sial were also present.

The organisers held Seraiki Jhoomer (dance), played songs and all the participants were wearing blue Saraiki Ajrak to celebrate the cultural day.

Mr Gillani said PPP would create Seraiki province after getting majority in the assembly as Saraiki is the one of the oldest civilisations. Mr Noon said all the Saraiki nation was celebrating their cultural day with full zeal and zest and the activities had shown that the Saraiki were not slaves.

He said they were spreading the message of love and care to all the world and they had been fighting for their political and social rights peacefully.

Mr Dhareja said Saraikis were a living nation and they were celebrating their civilisation and culture.

“Pakistan is a beautiful bouquet of different cultures. Saraiki Ajrak is another name for love, tolerance and peace. The blue colour of Saraiki Ajrak is a metaphor for everlasting love and loyalty,” he said.

He said the Saraiki region always produced eminent personalities in politics, culture, sports and every field of life.

A number of Saraiki singers including Haji Ghulam Fareed, Sobia Malik, Malik Ashraf Pathnay Khan and Maqbool Kharal also performed and presented Saraiki anthems.

Earlier, Saraiki Council Punjab University also organised a rally to mark the cultural day from press club to Charing Cross on The Mall.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2023