The Pak Tajik Festival opened at Lok Virsa in Islamabad with a vibrant ceremony attended by senior ministers, diplomats, artists and cultural figures, signalling a renewed push for cultural diplomacy between Pakistan and Tajikistan. Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division Aurangzeb Khan Khichi underlined that exchange of art, music and traditions helps foster peace and stronger people-to-people contacts across the region.
H.E. Sattoriyon Matlubakhon Amonzoda, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan, highlighted deep-rooted spiritual, linguistic and historical bonds between the two nations and said bilateral relations are strengthening under shared leadership priorities. She praised Pakistan’s historical sites, linguistic diversity and literary legacy, noting that Tajik and Urdu poetry spring from the same cultural sources and that cultural events carry a message of peace and mutual respect.
The Prime Minister’s Adviser for National Heritage and Culture reported that the Prime Minister has endorsed this cultural initiative and directed that a large Pakistani cultural delegation be sent to Tajikistan to deepen cultural cooperation. The adviser also commended the Tajik Ambassador for efforts to strengthen bilateral cultural ties.
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan joined the ceremony in praising Tajik culture and welcoming joint cultural programmes as a positive step in bilateral engagement. The presence of the Tajik Ambassador and other senior officials reinforced the diplomatic significance of the festival as a platform for strategic cultural partnership.
The inauguration concluded with captivating performances of folk music, traditional dances and cultural displays that engaged the audience and underscored the importance of sustained cultural exchange. The Pak Tajik Festival at Lok Virsa is being viewed as a milestone in Pakistan–Tajikistan cultural relations and a forward step in amplifying heritage cooperation across the region.
