Pakistan, April 21 — Culture and traditions truly define any nation globally. Countries that maintain strong ties with their origins and legacy persist in historical memory, keeping their distinctive identities alive. Conversely, nations that forsake their cultural values and customs ultimately risk losing both their significance and recognition.
Maryam Nawaz, who created history as the inaugural female Chief Minister of Punjab, launched over eighty developmental and social programs during her initial year in office. These ventures stand out as groundbreaking milestones in Punjab’s timeline. The Information and Culture Department under the auspices of the Punjab government orchestrated the region’s largest ever Punjab Cultural Festival with unparalleled zeal, thereby establishing a novel benchmark in the area’s cultural landscape.
Following Azma Bukhari taking up the extra role of Culture Minister, the cultural scene in Punjab has undergone considerable changes. Despite Punjabi Culture Day usually being observed on March 14, this year it was delayed by one month as a sign of support for those affected by the horrific assault on the Jaffer Express in Balochistan. Later, on April 17, an impressive Punjab Cultural Festival took place at Alhamra Hall in Lahore, sponsored by the Information and Culture Department.
This three-day celebration vividly showcased the dynamic hues and distinctive customs of Punjab’s local cultures, enchanting spectators throughout the region. It was officially launched by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif with an inaugural ceremony at the Ustad Allah Bakhsh Gallery within Alhamra Arts Council. There, Chairman Razi Ahmed led the Chief Minister through the venue as they admired masterpieces reflecting the heart of Punjabi culture. Among these were notable works by celebrated artists such as Allah Bakhsh, Ghulam Mustafa, Zulfi, Shehla Farooq, and several more.
The Chief Minister was greatly impressed by the curation and commended the exhibition, showing strong interest in bringing the galleries up to international standards so they can serve as suitable settings for upcoming shows. The visual presentations highlighted Punjab’s customs and traditions via poignant images.
Following the exhibition, Maryam Nawaz proceeded to the Burney Garden, the venue for the main festivities. She visited various cultural stalls representing different divisions of Punjab, each showcasing unique elements of their local heritage. The Chief Minister expressed delight and surprise at the beauty and scale of craftsmanship on display, remarking on the richness of Punjab’s local industries.
Information and Culture Minister Azma Bukhari, along with Secretary Information Tahir Raza Hamdani, welcomed the Chief Minister at the venue. The festival featured traditional performances, including the dholchi (drummers) and bhangra dancers, which earned rousing applause from the audience. Maryam Nawaz personally commended a female dholchi artist, calling her onstage and appreciating her talent.
The renowned Punjabi artist Naseebo Lal graced the audience with her popular track “Jhoom Jhoom,” invigorating the crowd. There was a moment when both Maryam Nawaz and Naseebo Lal were present onstage together. With an elegant display of modesty, the Chief Minister gracefully moved aside, extending an invitation for Naseebo Lal to take center stage initially. The vocalist then proposed postponing her act until following the Chief Minister’s speech; however, Maryam Nawaz firmly encouraged her to begin performing first, highlighting her admiration for performers.
In her address, the Chief Minister expressed profound love for Punjab’s land, people, music, culture, and traditions. “I am a patriotic Pakistani. During my exile, I would often cry reminiscing the scent of Punjab’s soil during the rain,” she shared. She encouraged youth to learn English, but proudly speak Punjabi as it is intrinsic to their identity. “Punjab and Punjabi are who we are. We can never forget that. The Punjabi bhangra is unparalleled anywhere in the world,” she said. She commended Azma Bukhari for the outstanding execution of the festival and highlighted the global recognition of Punjab’s artists.
“I feel exuberant about being part of the group of performers whom I watched on TV during my childhood. They truly are national treasures,” she stated.
Minister Azma Bukhari, in her speech, highlighted the richness of Punjab’s soil, stating, “This land yields gold. Its people are filled with warmth and affection. Punjab’s culture has an irresistible sweetness that draws people in. It is the land of Sufi saints-Bulleh Shah, Waris Shah, Khwaja Ghulam Farid, Sultan Bahu-whose poetry still touches hearts centuries later.”
She emphasized the distinct traditions and specialties of each region: Lahore’s famous cuisine, Kasur’s falooda, Eminabad’s barfi, Multan’s sohan halwa, Chakwal’s rewarian – all are hallmarks of Punjab’s unique identity.
The successful organization of the festival was credited to the tireless efforts of Secretary Information Tahir Raza Hamdani, Alhamra Executive Director Tauqeer Kazmi, and Alhamra Chairman Razi Ahmed. Punjab Arts Council Executive Director Tanveer Majid also played a pivotal role in arranging stalls from all divisions, which were well received by attendees.
Secretary Hamdani broke protocol by attending the festival in traditional shalwar kameez, while ED Alhamra Tauqeer Kazmi stood out in a traditional pag (turban) and lacha (dhoti), embodying Punjab’s cultural attire.
The festival saw distinguished participation from international dignitaries, including H.E. Daniel Arsenault, Acting High Commissioner of Canada; Zhou Shiren, Consul General of China; Durmus Bastug, Consul General of Turkey; Ben Warrington, Head of British High Commission Lahore; and Fabrice Didier, Director at the French Consulate.
British High Commission’s Lahore head Ben Warrington expressed admiration for Punjab’s culture: “Though I’ve only recently been posted to Lahore, I am deeply impressed by Punjabi music, culture, and bhangra. Today, I wore a Punjabi pag (Kula) for the first time – it felt like I’ve become an honorary Punjabi.”
The festival also hosted a Punjabi Literary Baithak, featuring intellectuals such as Dr. Sughra Sadaf, Nain Sukh, Fauzia Ishaq, and Saeed Bhutta. Moderated by Shaista Nazhat, the discussion centered on the significance of promoting Punjabi culture and heritage. The scholars also condemned the targeted killings of Punjabis in Balochistan based on their identity cards and openly criticized Sindh’s opposition to the canal project.
A unique theatrical presentation of the renowned Punjabi story Heer Ranjha took place and received thunderous acclaim, with viewers applauding the performers’ compelling portrayals.
The music performance featured appearances by Zeeshan Rokhri, Nadeem Abbas Lonewala, Sanam Marvi, Somia Khan, and Jameel Lohar, each of them enchanting listeners with their heartfelt interpretations.
The most significant feature of the festival was Minister Azma Bukhari’s choice to make the whole event free and accessible to everyone without requiring tickets. This led to more than 10,000 attendees gathering over three days, thus setting a fresh record for attendance at Alhamra.
The large-scale participation demonstrated that individuals are tired of turmoil, aggression, and pessimism—they now aspire for happiness, cultural festivities, and significant moments. Azma Bukhari’s objective is to showcase Punjab’s legacy and customs, and the tremendous achievement of the Punjab Culture Festival stands as a brilliant proof of this aspiration.
Intellectuals and cultural personalities from all over the province praised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Minister Azma Bukhari for their exceptional work in arranging such an outstanding event.