ISLAMABAD:
The federal capital turned vibrant and festive as the much-awaited three-day Balochistan Grand Tourism Festival began at the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) on Friday.
The festival, which is being held for the first time, is organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Government of Balochistan, under the vision of Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Tourism and Law, Mir Zarain Khan Magsi, to showcase the province’s rich heritage, diverse tourism potential and cultural identity to national and international audiences.
The festival features a wide range of activities-from cultural performances and panel discussions to art and craft exhibitions, food stalls and tourism displays. Visitors are thronging the stalls displaying handicrafts, traditional embroidery, pottery, jewelry, and artwork from different districts of Balochistan. The culinary stalls are offering authentic Balochi dishes including Sajji, Kaak, Rosh, Landhi, and dates from Turbat, which quickly became crowd favourites.
A major attraction is the folk performances based on Balochistan’s legendary stories of Hani and Sheh Mureed and the poetry of Mast Tawakali, blending music, dance and storytelling to depict the province’s romantic and philosophical traditions. Throughout the festival, Balochi singers, musicians and dancers will perform live, while panel discussions will highlight themes such as sustainable tourism, investment opportunities and cultural preservation.
Artisans and craftspeople from across Balochistan are also demonstrating their skills, giving visitors a chance to witness the province’s artistic diversity firsthand. The Balochistan Grand Tourism Festival will continue till October 12, offering visitors an immersive experience of the province’s cultural wealth, natural beauty and warm hospitality.
The opening ceremony drew a large crowd and was attended by Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, Managing Director Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), Aftab-ur-Rehman Rana, diplomats, artists and people from various walks of life.
The venue radiated colour and life as Balochi folk musicians, dancers and artisans brought the province’s traditions to the heart of Islamabad. Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that the warm and enthusiastic response from the people of Islamabad had surpassed expectations and proved that Pakistan is truly a land of hospitable people.
As the first day concluded with the sound of dambura and applause echoing across Lok Virsa, one message stood out clearly- Balochistan is not a distant frontier but a vital heart of Pakistan’s cultural and tourism landscape, now finally being celebrated in the capital as it deserves.
