Gilgit-Baltistan cultural, musical evening

LAHORE

Government College University (GCU) on Saturday brought the culture and music of Gilgit-Baltistan to Lahore by organising “Gilgit-Baltistan Cultural and Musical Evening”.  

Eminent artists of the region including Ustad Jabir Khan Jabir and Ustad Mir Afzal performed at the event organised by the GCU’s Center of Excellence China Studies (CECS) and the varsity’s Gilgit Arts and Cultural Council. 

The cultural evening began with Hunza Hareep, a traditional music performance by Ustad Fida Hussain and his musicians, which was marked by stunning Sitar and dance performances besides a traditional a Burshiski song presented by Talib Hussain Talib. 

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah said GCU had always worked to integrate academic excellence with social and cultural programs, aiming and promoting diversity, tolerance and co-existence. He said in light of regional developments like the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) it had become imperative to highlight and promote the rich and beautiful culture of Gilgit-Baltistan hidden behind those lofty mountains of Northern Areas. 

Prof Shah said terrorists wanted to spread fear but they would fail to deter Pakistan from its journey to enlightenment and development. He directed the academic departments to also hold Sindhi, Punjabi and Baloch cultural evenings to apprise the students about the culture and traditions of all regions of the country. 

In his opening speech, GCU-CECS Director Prof Dr Khalid Manzoor Butt said Gilgit-Baltistan was also known as ‘bam'e jahan’ which means “the rooftop of the world”. However, he said, the region is strategically located in middle of the highly nuclearised South Asian region. He said the region was the host to so many languages including Shina, Brushiski, Khuwaar and Balti.  Prof Butt said Shina was lingua franca of Gilgit-Baltistan, adding that the language without a written script and alphabets had survived the onslaughts of globalisation and capitalism.