The cavalcades return

LAHORE: President Dr Arif Alvi inaugurated the proceedings of the highly anticipated traditional festival of Pakistan — the popular National Horse and Cattle show — which is being held after a time span of seven long years.

This show displays different cultural, traditional colours and social diversity from all over Pakistan. It was initiated back in 1952 and during its history over the years, it has been attended by royals, celebrities, heads of states and by many foreign guests and tourists from around the globe.

Some of the most notable attendees who have attended this famous festival in the past are Queen Elizabeth, Shah of Iran, King Abdullah, Jacqueline Kennedy and many other individuals among the world’s elite. This list of the high-profile guests and visitors of the show indicates the international fame and significance held by the festival.

The stage is set once again for the three-day mega socio-cultural festival. The Punjab government has reportedly allocated a massive budget to organise and celebrate this one of its kind festival with passion and with complete required arrangements.

Speaking to Bol News, Lahore chief traffic officer (CTO) Muntazir Mehdi said a systematic and organised traffic plan has been set in motion for the venues of this festival such as Fortress Stadium, Alhamra and Gaddafi Stadium.

Maintaining this traffic plan, the CTO added the superintendent of traffic city division will supervise all the arrangements. “A total of four DSPs, 30 inspectors and 680 traffic wardens have been stationed for the smooth flow of traffic and to facilitate the visitors.”

The horse and cattle show is one of the top traditional festivals of the country which display the cultural, social norms, values and customs from all over Pakistan.

“This year the horse and cattle show is organising a number of major programmes and events of socio-cultural and domestic significance such as the march past, tent pegging, animal competition, industrial exhibition, horse and camel dance, cavalcade of livestock and skydiving by paratroopers, greyhound race,” said an official.

Reportedly, for the first time, female contestants also participated in the tent-pegging competition.

The mega event is taking place in Punjab’s capital after a long gap of seven years. Earlier, the provincial chief executive had also issued instructions for the ‘best arrangements’ for the special occasion. This helped accelerate the promotion of the show’s salient features including livestock and sports as well as culture, handicrafts and agriculture.

Traditional, cultural and sports activities and events such as kabaddi, hockey, football, tug of war, wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball, unity show, the ‘All Pakistan Mushaira’, book fair, motorcycle trick riding, food street, folk and classical music, agricultural, social welfare, Pakistan cultural avenue, kids funfair, laser show and many more events are being conducted in this year’s festival.

The show is a potent and persuasive platform to articulate cultural and social diversity from different areas of Pakistan to the world. This festival is a symbol of national harmony, integrity and social interaction. The horse and cattle show is the best medium to promote Pakistan’s domestic potential to the world.