Orange Festival was hosted by Zaildar Ahsan Shah in collaboration with Dean of Diplomatic Corp and Dean of Corp Service Attaches at Taxila, the center of Gandhara and Buddhist civilizations ! The Participants expressed solidarity with the victims of Islamabad Terrorist Attack
Report : Tazeen Akhtar | Camera : Sultan Bashir
The 13th Orange Festival in Taxila at the Zaildar House by Zaildar Ahsan Shah attracted a large number of foreign community including diplomats and other living in Islamabad despite a terrorist attack in Islamabad only a day before proved to be a demonstration of solidarity of the international community with Pakistan as well as a message to the terrorists that Pakistanis are resilient nation who would never be afraid of cowardly attacks on the weat targets killing innocent people for the vested intereststs of the outlaws.
One minute of silence was observed to pay homage to the victims of suicide at Imambargah in Islamabad during Friday prayers.
The festival was graced by the Governor of Punjab Sardar Saleem Haidar as chief guest and Prime Minister’s advisor Dr Tauqir Shah as guest of honor. Governor Punjab arrived at the festival only after visiting Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic Hospital to inquire about the health of the injured of the tragic suicide attack that occurred in Islamabad’s suburb of Tarlai.
Ambassadors of Turkmenistan Atadjan Mavlamov as Dean of Diplomatic Corp and Defence Attache of Egypt Brig General Mohamed Saad as Dean of Corps of Service Attaches (COSA) also honored the stage with their presence. Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Mauritious, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Jordan, DAs of Britain, Sri Lanka, diplomats of Iran, Malaysia, Ukraine and many other countries participated with their familes and friends.
The event featured traditional horse dances, weightlifting competitions, and qawwali performances, which received enthusiastic appreciation from attendees. Cultural performances, traditional sports, indigenous crafts and authentic cuisine came together at the Orange Festival in Taxila, offering diplomats a firsthand experience of Pakistan’s diverse heritage.
The host Zaildar Ahsan Shah in his welcome address shed light on the historic importance of Texila and made it clear that Pakistan will fight the menace of terrorism and eliminate it one day In Sha Allah. He highlighted the festival’s role in promoting local culture and identity.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor said that cultural festivals like the Orange Festival are vital for promoting Pakistan’s traditions, heritage, and cultural diversity at the global level. He emphasized that such events help foreign diplomats and representatives of friendly countries understand Pakistan’s historical significance tourism potential and cultural richness.
“The participation of ambassadors and diplomats of friendly countries in the festival is a reflection of a successful foreign policy of Pakistan, Sardar Saleem Haidar noted.
Here it is mentionable that the importance of Taxila city with respect to Gandhara and Buddhist civilizations requires special attention of the policy makers of Punjab and Pakistan with focus on tourism potential.
The potential of the city to attract the tourists from around the world , especially from South East Asia is significant and it demands taking meaningful measures to introduce it at the international level and make state of the art arrangements in this area.
Talking to newsmen, the governor condemned the series of terrorist attacks in Pakistan and particularly in Islamabad. Governor prayed for speedy recovery of the injured and expressed heartfelt sympathy with their families.
The Orange Festival have been hosted for foreign diplomats for the last 13 years in the ancient city of Gandhara and Buddhist civilisations. The dance of horses on drumbeats and the traditional sports of stone lifting and the world-famous citrus Khanpuri oranges were the centre of attraction among the diplomats and their families, especially children.
The diplomats and their families lauded the festival for creating an opportunity to showcase Pakistan and Taxila’s culture.
