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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