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Pakistan Holidays:.
Shab-e-Barat:
Religious festival
celebrated on 14th of Shaaban, the 8th Islamic month. Prayers, fire works,
exchange of sweet dishes and visits.
Eid-ul-Fitr*:
Religious festival celebrating end of fasting month on 1st of Shawwal, the 10th
month of Islamic Calendar. Special prayer after sunrise, exchange of sweet
dishes, visits.
Basant
Festival: (6th February)
THE Basant festival heralds the end of winter and arrival of spring. It is
celebrated in the entire sub-continent, with flying kites - perhaps because
spring generally brings a clear sky and just the right amount of wind. Lahore
becomes the hub of activities with sky full of kites of different styles, sizes
and colors. The Government of Punjab has fixed 9th of February, 2003 for the
festival.
Sibi
Festival: (Last week of February)
At Sibi (Balochistan). Traditional sports, handicrafts exhibition, folk music
and dances.
Sindh
Horse & Cattle Show: (Last week of February)
At Jacobabad (Sindh). Similar activities as in Sibi Festival.
Jashan-e-Larkana:
(Last week of February) At Larkana (Sindh).
Traditional sports, exhibition of handicrafts, folk music and dances.
National
Horse & Cattle Show Lahore: (16 March for 05 days )
Fortress Stadium, Lahore. Cattle races, cattle dances, tent-pegging, tattoo
show, folk music, dances, bands, cultural floats and folk games.
Nauroze:
(21-23 March)
Celebrated only in Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu and Chitral. Polo, foot-ball,
volley-ball and hockey matches, folk dances and music.
Pakistan
Day *: (23 March)
Commemorating the anniversary of Pakistan Resolution passed on March 23, 1940.
Military parade at provincial capitals and Islamabad.
Mela
Chiraghan (Festival of lamps):
(Last week of March)
Held for 01 week outside Shalimar Gardens, Lahore.
Horse
& Cattle Show:
(End of March till 1st week of April).
At Dera Ismail Khan. Local games, folk dances, music, cattle races and
exhibition of local handicrafts.
Jashan-e-Shikarpur:
(In April for 01 week)
At Shikarpur, Sindh. Cultural activities, local sports and handicrafts
exhibition.
Eid-ul-Azha
*:
Religious festival commemorating the great sacrifice offered by Prophet Abraham.
Celebrated on 10 Zilhaj, 12th month of Islamic Calendar. Collective prayers
after sun set, sacrifice of goats, sheep, cows or camels and distribution of
meat among relatives, friends and poor.
Joshi
or Chilimjusht: (14-15 May)
Kalash festival of welcoming spring, held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Folk
dances, music and exchange of dishes.
Shandur
Polo Festival (7-9 July)
A regular traditional polo tournament is held every year on the highest polo
ground of the world - The Shandur Pass (Chitral district), with allied
activities including folk music, folk dances and other competitions.
Utchal:
(15-16 July)
A harvest festival, celebrated by Kalash people in Kalash Valleys, Chitral.
Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi
*:
Birth Anniversary of Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (P.B.U.H). on 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal
- the 3rd month of Islamic Calendar.
Independence
Day : (14 August)
Meeting, processions, rallies, decorations and illustrations all over the
country.
Defence
of Pakistan Day: (06 September)
Parades and exhibitions of military equipment at Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar,
Quetta and Karachi. Visits to the war memorials. (No national holiday except
Armed Forces)
Air
Force Day: (07 September)
Display of latest aircraft of Pakistan Air force and air shows at Rawalpindi,
Sargodha, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.
Phool:
(20 - 25 September)
Held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Reaping grapes and walnuts, dancing and
singing.
Lok
Mela: (1st week of October, for one week)
Folk Festival at Islamabad. Folk Music, songs, music contests, folk dances,
craftsmen at work, exhibition and sale of handicrafts. The festival presents a
unique opportunity to watch the culture and craft of the whole country at one
place.
Chowmas: (18-21 October)
Held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Welcoming of winter with first snow-fall.
Activities restrict to indoor.
Karakoram
Car Rally:
On
the directives of President, Islamic Republic of Pakistan to promote the
northern areas and the fabulous eighth wonder of the world, the KKH, PTDC
organizes Family/Safety Car Rally all along with Karakoram Highway. It is now
becoming a regular feature and car rally is being organized every year. In 2000,
the first rally went all the way to Sost starting from Islamabad. In the year
2001, it was planned but due to unavoidable circumstances it was cancelled. This
year too, a rally has been planned in the month of April.
Birthday
of Allama Muhammad Iqbal: .(09 November)
National Poet.
National
Industrial Exhibition Islamabad:
Exhibition and sale of Pakistan?s industrial products and handicraft items
National
Industrial Exhibition Lahore: (3rd week of November for 15 days)
At Fortress Stadium, Lahore. Exhibition and sale of industrial products and
handicrafts of Pakistan.
Christmas
and Birth Anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam: (25 December)
* Subject
to appearance of moon.
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