Hues, culture of Gilgit-Baltistan celebrated

Islamabad : People from Gilgit–Baltistan based in Islamabad and Rawalpindi gathered at Lok Virsa on Sunday to celebrate the hues and colours of the culture of the picturesque Ghizer district of their region.

Organised by a ‘Ghizer Social and Cultural Forum’, the event featured musical performances, theatre, cultural exhibitions and performances showcasing folk culture of the remote mountainous Ghizer district, which is located some hundred kilometres north of Gilgit city.

Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman was the chief guest of the event, which was also attended by Lok Virsa executive director Dr Fouzia Saeed, provincial ministers and members of the G–B Assembly, besides members of the civil society, students, professionals and families from G-B in large numbers.

The event was aimed at fostering efforts to preserve the indigenous culture and languages that are fast losing relevance due to the onslaught of dominating cultures and languages in a fast changing world. Ghizer is home to five languages, including Shina, Khuwar, Brushaski, Wakhi and Gojri, spoken in over a dozen different accents across the region.

The UNESCO has already listed Wakhi, Khuwar and Brushaski among the vulnerable languages that have witnessed a drastic decrease in the number of its speakers. To the local people’s dismay, other important elements of the culture such as folklore, cultural festivals, and customs and traditions are being replaced to make way for fast-paced modernisation.

“The government of Gilgit-Baltistan is fully cognizant of the tourism potential of Gilgit Baltistan, including District Ghizer,” CM Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman said. “We are making every effort to exploit this immense potential to use it for supplementing the socioeconomic well-being of our people. Ghizer is our top priority. The government plans to begin work on Ghizer Expressway in March 2018 which once completed will boost tourism in the area manifolds. I appreciate the Ghizer Social and Cultural Forum for organizing an excellent show to promote tourism and preserve culture.”

He said the event was meant to promote tourism in Gilgit–Baltistan, particularly in Ghizer district, which offered immense potential in the field. President of the Ghizer Social and Cultural Forum Waheed Rehmat said there was a need to showcase the unique and diverse culture of the GB, which served as a bond among its people.

"The people of Ghizer love their culture as it inspires positive attributes of love, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and humanity. The enthusiasm of our guests and participants tells me that we have been successful in our endeavor. I am positive that this event will lead to so many more exciting events in the future,” he said.

Noted musicians, singers and artists enthralled the crowd by their performances. The people kept dancing to tunes played by the local musical band. Stall established around the premises showcasing local handicrafts, agri products and traditional foods from the district.