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Alleging that kite flying is a Hindu event is also sheer ignorance. The sport originated
in China about 5000 years ago, when Hinduism was in non existent. 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 fly kites for
enjoying Basant. With 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. Now a days
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.
Lahore is becoming the main focal point for the celebration of this festival in
Pakistan. People traditionally fly kites on the roofs of their buildings. It is
commonly observed that rest houses, hotels and house of relatives of the participants
are fully packed with guests from all over the country. Moreover some five star
hotels also arrange this function on their roof top for foreigners and other high
class gentry. They also arrange variety of dishes with musical concert. Sometimes
Lahorities on this occasion become emotional and in this state create law and order
problems for the administration. Some of them use metal thread for kite-flying.
Their such a deed oftenly imposes, besides life threat, a serious problem for WAPDA
when the thread touches the live wires.
Inspite of the fact Basant Festival which has no links with the Muslim culture is
becoming very popular and being celebrated in Lahore regularly every year with zeal
and fervent.
Nauroze
(21-23 March)
Celebrated only in Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu and Chitral. Polo, foot-ball, volley-ball
and hockey matches, folk dances and music.
Pakistan Day

(23 March)
Commemorating the anniversary of Pakistan Resolution passed on March 23, 1940. Military
parade at provincial capitals and Islamabad.
Mela Chiraghan (Festival of lamps)

(Last week of March)
Held for 01 week outside Shalimar Gardens, Lahore.
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.
Jashan-e-Shikarpur

(In April for 01 week)
At Shikarpur, Sindh. Cultural activities, local sports and handicrafts exhibition.
Eid-ul-Azha

Religious festival commemorating the great sacrifice offered by Prophet Abraham.
Celebrated on 10 Zilhaj, 12th month of Islamic Calendar. Collective prayers after
sun set, sacrifice of goats, sheep, cows or camels and distribution of meat
among relatives, friends and poor.
Joshi or Chilimjusht

(14-15 May)
Kalash festival of welcoming spring, held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Folk dances,
music and exchange of dishes.
Shandur Polo Festival
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.
Utchal

(15-16 July)
A harvest festival, celebrated by Kalash people in Kalash Valleys, Chitral.
Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi
Birth Anniversary of Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (P.B.U.H). on 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal
- the 3rd month of Islamic Calendar.
Independence Day

(14 August)
Meeting, processions, rallies, decorations and illustrations all over the country.
Defense of Pakistan Day

(06 September)
Parades and exhibitions of military equipment at Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta
and Karachi. Visits to the war memorials. (No national holiday except Armed Forces)
Air force Day

(07 September)
Display of latest aircraft of Pakistan Air force and air shows at Rawalpindi, Sargodha,
Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.
Phool

(20 - 25 September)
Held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Reaping grapes and walnuts, dancing and singing.
Lok Mela

(1st week of October, for one week)
Folk Festival held at Islamabad. Folk Music, songs, music contests, folk dances,
craftsmen at work, exhibition and sale of handicrafts. The festival presents
a unique opportunity to watch the culture and craft of the whole country at one
place.
Chowmas
(18-21 October)
Held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Welcoming of winter with first snow-fall. Activities
restrict to indoor.
Karakoram Car Rally

A colorful closing/award giving ceremony was held in Hunza Valley. Prizes, shields,
certificates were distributed among the ralliers. SAF-International Karakoram Car
Rally was also planned for year 2001, but it was postponed. International Karakoram
Car Rally has been proposed to be held during the month of November in 2002 as part
of the International Year of Mountains celebrations
Birthday of Allama Muhammad Iqbal

(09 November)
National Poet * .
Christmas and Birth Anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam (25 December)
 
National Industrial Exhibition Islamabad

Exhibition and sale of Pakistan’s industrial products and handicraft items
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 achievement's. It is
held in Lahore Fortress stadium at the end of February or at 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.
A large number of them are interested in watching and appreciating the best breeds
of livestock. Many derive pleasure by watching other activities such as display
parade of animals, dances by horses and camels, polo matches, tent pegging, dog
shows and their races, vaudeville acts of stuntmen, mass display of military band,
rhythmically physical exercise by the children.
Tastefully decorated industrial floats and torch light tattoo shows. Additional
attractions include a subtle interplay of lights to weave enticing patterns at night
and breath taking acts by foreign groups. The show began as a modest exhibition
organized by the army to project the cattle wealth of the country in the early fifties.
Today it is an international event to which come dignitaries from abroad and visitors
and foreign tourists. The organizing committee comprises representatives of a number
of agencies including army, rangers, LMC schools, the police, industrialists and
the art councils.
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