ISLAMABAD  - The 10-day folk festival of Pakistan, popularly known as “Lok Virsa”, concluded here on Sunday at Shakaparian.
The cultural event had been organised by Lok Virsa in collaboration with all the provinces, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Secretary Information Broadcasting and National Heritage, Dr Nazir Saeed was the chief guest on the occasion. Thousands of people from different walks of life attended the festival during the 10 days which featured artisans-at-work exhibition, provincial cultural pavilions, folkloric song & dance performances, cultural evenings, craft bazaar, NGO stalls, theatre performances and special entertainment for children and families.
All the provinces, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir participated in the festival by presenting their beautiful indigenous culture, arts, crafts, music and cuisine in specially designed pavilions symbolising their respective historical monuments, contributing art, music and entertainment activities. Secretary Information Broadcasting and National Heritage, Dr Nazir Saeed felicitated Lok Virsa management for successful holding of the national festival that brought rural masses from each corner of the country to the federal capital.  He said that these kind of events are helpful for promoting inter-provincial harmony. The Secretary said that Pakistan was a rich cultural country who has historical roots of thousands years. 
Lok Virsa is doing a great service to the nation by documenting, preserving and disseminating the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Pakistan, he added.
Dr Nazir said, “The folk genius of the people is basis of their identity. It is therefore duty of a nation to pay homage to the perpetuators and promoters of its cultural heritage and in this regard, the role of Lok Virsa is praiseworthy”.
Member National Assembly (MNA), Naeema Kishor lauded the efforts of Lok Virsa for organizing this recreational festival for public and provided opportunity to visit culture of all provinces.
She said that this platform will help people of all parts of the country for promoting their culture and strengthening unity. Earlier, Lok Virsa’s Executive Director, Shaheera Shahid thanked all provincial governments, sponsoring agencies and other institutions for their unstinted cooperation to Lok Virsa for making this national event a success.
She said that Lok Virsa organised folk festivals in order to project traditional cultural heritage and strengthening national art industry.
Secretary Information Broadcasting and National Heritage, Dr Nazir Saeed distributed cash awards to the winning artisans and trophies to the festival participants and sponsors.
Exotic cultural and musical performances were also presented during the ceremony. A large number of art, craft & music lovers, cultural personalities, media persons and general public attended the event.