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 Pakistan Calendar of Events
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| Pakistan Calendar of Events |
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| Basant |
Lahore |
Mid February or Early March |
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With the advent of spring, the magnificent basant kite flying festival is celebrated with pomp and show in mid February every year in Lahore. People traditionally fly kites on the roofs of their buildings . The string used for flying kites is coated in a mixture of rice paste and ground glass which is then used for kite-cutting fights in the air, commonly known as 'paicha' in native language . Every year, people from all over the world gather in Lahore to witness the most colourful and entertaining festival of the year. |
Not only in Lahore, Basant is celebrated with much fervour and zeal in other cities of Pakistan too. Everyone gathers on the roof tops to watch and participate as the spring winds whip the brilliantly coloured diamond-shaped paper kites into the air in such large quantities that the sky can hardly be seen. The festival of Basant is celeberated with musical functions which are organized in all major hotels in the city. Basant is celebrated through out the day and even in night the kite are flown using spotlights aimed in the air, creating a breath taking view. |
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| Shandur Polo Festival |
Shandur Pass |
July 7th to the 9th |
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Polo at the top of the World Passion for Polo is at its highest on the world's highest Polo ground. Every year the tournament is held at Shandur Pass. Visitors are invited to experience a traditional polo tournament between the teams of Chitral and Gilgit July 7th to the 9th. The festival includes folk music, dancing, a camping village set up at the Pass and numerous other activities to enjoy such as fishing, horse back riding, mountaineering, hiking and exploring. |
The Polo tournament has some added attractions for visitors; trout fishing at nearby streams and lakes, and a festival of folk music and dancing reminiscent of Northern Pakistan culture. The highlight of the festival is the final match a colorful spectacle and extraordinary extravaganza never to be forgotten. Supporters of both sides travel long distances from the remote parts of Chitral and Gilgit mountain ranges to watch the thrilling game. The event offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the people of this region, their culture, and indigenous customs, a delight to behold for visitors. |
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| National Events |
Pakistan Day |
23rd March |
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Pakistan Day
Celeberated on 23rd March, commemorates the anniversary of Pakistan Resolution passed by the Muslims of South Asia on March 23, 1940. The attraction is the parade of armed forces in the capital city of Islamabad.
Independence Day
14th August is the indepence day of Pakistan. The day is celebrated all over the country with flag raising ceremonies, tributes to the national heroes and fireworks taking place in the capital, Islamabad |
Defence or Memorial Day
Defence or Memorial day is celeberated on the 6th of September
Birth of Quaid-i-Azam (Founder of Nation)
The birth of the founder of Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah is celeberated on 25th of December. The day is marked with special events and festivities in all major cities. |
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In Islamic societies there were many festivals and celebrations. Some of these were religious while others were secular (not religious). Many of the traditional festivals and kinds of entertainment continued after the arrival of Islam in sub-continent. The religious events are celeberated by using the Islamic hijra calendar. |
Shab-e-Barat Religious festival is celebrated on 14th of Shaaban, the 8th Islamic month. The event is marked by Prayers, fire-works, exchange of sweet dishes and visits to relatives and friends.
Eid-ul-Fitr Religious festival is celebrated at the end of fasting month on 1st of Shawwal, the 10th month of Islamic Calendar. Special prayer after sun-rise are offered on the eid day. Sweets and gifts are distrbuted among families and relatives. Eid is also know for its "Chaand Raat", the moon sighting a day prior to the event. Markets get jam packed on the night with people buying gifts and women and young girls decorating thier hands with henna and bangles.
Eid-ul-Azha Religious festival commemorating the great sacrifice offered by Prophet Ibrahim. Celebrated on 10th Zilhaj, 12th month of Islamic Calendar. Collective prayers are offered after sunset. Sacrifice of goats, sheep, cows or camels is carried out for distrbtion among needy and relatives.
Utchal or Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, is celebrated July 15-16th to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (P.B.U.H). on 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the 3rd month of Islamic Calendar.
Ashura
The event marks two days mourning on the death anniversary of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) on 9th and 10th of Moharram, the first month of Islamic Calendar.
Eid-e-Miland-un-Nabi
(Birthday of Prophet Hazrat Mohammad, (P.B.U.H.) on 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal - the 3rd of month of Islamic Calendar. |
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| Lok Virsa Folk Festival |
Pakistan |
October |
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The Lok Virsa Folk Festival is the largest cultural activity in Pakistan, in fact it so popular that artisans and performers form many countires particpate in the event that has been held annually now for the last 20 years. Here is where you will see Pakistan’s traditionally rich culture at its finest, where performers gather from every corner of Pakistan. |
WHAT TO SEE AND EAT
Taste different varieties of Pakistani cuisine. Learn about different cultures, life styles, and heritage. Purchase ethnic handmade crafts. Listen to folk songs and learn about different instruments used to make music. Watch as professional dancers entertain their guests wearing their traditional garb.
WHAT TO DO
Visit the many booths that are set up representing every province of Pakistan. See depictions of village scenes and how different cultures carry on every day activities.
HOW TO GET THERE
The event is held every October in Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, and the Northwest Frontier Province, and the Province of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In Islamabad the event continues for 10 days. This unique opportunity to see and experience all of Pakistan as well as other cultures internationally is definitely something that shouldn’t be missed! |
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For centuries, the Silk Route remained the main trading route between the south Asia and the central Asia. The Silk Routes Festival has provided a great opportunity to travelers to explore the natural beauty, unique cultural and ancient traditions of the Northern Areas and together with other Silk Route countries like China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, to Turkmenistan participate in this event reflecting the work of their artisans, craftsmen and folk musicians. |
This unique festival has recently been introduced and takes place along the Karakoram Highway in the high valleys of Karakoram Mountains at different locations for a week. |
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Event |
Date/Month |
Venue |
Drag Race |
January 25th |
Lahore |
Cholistan Jeep Rally |
Febuary/March 26th to 1st March |
Bahawalpur |
Punjab Tourism Dangal |
March 15th |
Gujranwala |
Pakistan Tourism Fair |
March 24th to 25th |
Lahore |
Mela Mandi |
March/April |
Sargodha |
Agriculture Mela |
March |
Faisalabad |
Punjab Mela |
March |
Sahiwal |
Para Gliding |
April 5th |
Soan Sakesar valley |
Water Scooter Race |
May 3rd |
Hafizabad |
Jeshan-e-Kohsar |
June 27th to 28th |
Murree |
Mango Festival |
July 19th to 20th |
Multan |
Sufi Culture Festival |
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Azadi Mela |
August 13th to 15th |
Murree |
World Tourism day |
September 27th |
All over Punjab |
Lahore Rally Cross |
October 18th |
Lahore |
Desi Horse Race & camel Show/Race |
November 8th |
Rahim Yar Khan |
Champion of the Hill-Cycle Race |
December 25th |
Jehlum – Murree |
Common Man Cycle Race |
December |
Gujrat/Faisalabad |
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| General Information |
Pakistan Fact File |
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| Travel Guide |
Traveler's Destinations |
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| Newspapers |
| » Pakistan Link |
» Newsline English weekly |
| » Pakistan today |
» Herald English weekly |
| » PNS Pakistan News service |
» Pakistan News Service English News Service |
| » Dawn English daily |
» Jang Urdu daily |
| » The News English daily |
» Nawa-e-Waqat Urdu daily |
| » The Nation English daily |
» Akhbar-e-Jehan Urdu weekly |
| » The Frontier Post English daily |
» Ausaf Urdu daily |
| » Business Recorder English |
» The Friday Times English weekly |
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| Embassy of Pakistan |
| » Embassy of Pakistan, Washington, USA |
» High Commission for Pakistan, Pretoria, South Africa |
| » Pakistan Embassy Bern, Switzerland |
» Embassy of Pakistan, Seoul, Republic of Korea |
| » Embassy of Pakistan, Bahrain |
» Embassy of Pakistan, Stockholm, Sweden |
| » High Commission for Pakistan, Brunei Darussalam |
» Pakistan Consulate General in Sydney, Australia |
| » Embassy of Pakistan, Beijing, China |
» Embassy of Pakistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan |
| » Embassy of Pakistan, Jakarta, Indonesia |
» Embassy of Pakistan, The Hague, Netherland |
| » High Commission for Pakistan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
» Embassy of Pakistan, Tokyo, Japan |
| » High Commission for Pakistan, London, UK |
» Pakistan Mission to the UN at New York |
| » Embassy of Pakistan, Kuwait |
» Embassy of Pakistan, Warsaw, Poland |
| » Embassy of Pakistan, Muscat, Oman |
» Consulate General of Pakistan, New York, USA |
| » Embassy of Pakistan, Oslo, Norway |
» High Commission for Pakistan, Ottawa, Canada |
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AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN PAKISTAN
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