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Artists from Bangladesh perform during a special cultural evening at the Open Air Theatre Lok Virsa Artists from Bangladesh perform during a special cultural evening at the Open Air Theatre Lok Virsa A vendor displaying animal statue after preparing to attract the customers at Eidgah road Workers spread ice over fish to keep them fresh at a local fish market President of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) presents a commemorative shield to Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan during his visit to the chamber Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, addresses a meeting at the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), discussing youth development, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities for young people Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari offers Fateha at the Karsaz Martyrs’ Memorial, accompanied by Aseefa Bhutto Zardari Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) South District leaders offer fateha and pay tribute to the martyrs of the Karsaz tragedy, Sindh PPP President Nisar Khuhro, Senator Waqar Mehdi and other party leaders are present on the occasion Women activists of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) recite the Holy Quran and pay tribute to the martyrs of the Karsaz tragedy DRAP consults stakeholders on first medical devices policy Political Secretary to PPP Chairman and MPA Jameel Ahmed Soomro, along with MNA Khursheed Ahmed Junejo and other party workers, offers Fateha on the occasion of the 19th death anniversary of the Karsaz tragedy martyrs at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) women workers light lamps in memory of the Karsaz tragedy martyrs outside a press club Artists from Bangladesh perform during a special cultural evening at the Open Air Theatre Lok Virsa Artists from Bangladesh perform during a special cultural evening at the Open Air Theatre Lok Virsa A vendor displaying animal statue after preparing to attract the customers at Eidgah road Workers spread ice over fish to keep them fresh at a local fish market President of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) presents a commemorative shield to Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan during his visit to the chamber Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, addresses a meeting at the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), discussing youth development, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities for young people Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari offers Fateha at the Karsaz Martyrs’ Memorial, accompanied by Aseefa Bhutto Zardari Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) South District leaders offer fateha and pay tribute to the martyrs of the Karsaz tragedy, Sindh PPP President Nisar Khuhro, Senator Waqar Mehdi and other party leaders are present on the occasion Women activists of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) recite the Holy Quran and pay tribute to the martyrs of the Karsaz tragedy DRAP consults stakeholders on first medical devices policy Political Secretary to PPP Chairman and MPA Jameel Ahmed Soomro, along with MNA Khursheed Ahmed Junejo and other party workers, offers Fateha on the occasion of the 19th death anniversary of the Karsaz tragedy martyrs at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) women workers light lamps in memory of the Karsaz tragedy martyrs outside a press club
Culture & Heritage

From folk tunes to National Pride, music enchants PPAF gathering

From folk tunes to National Pride, music enchants PPAF gathering
Maryam Shah
ISLAMABAD, Oct 13 (APP):Bringing the first day of the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund’s (PPAF) two-day International Conference on Inclusive and Resilient Economic Empowerment and Growth to a vibrant close, a Cultural Evening was held here on Tuesday to celebrate Pakistan’s rich and diverse cultural heritage and the spirit of unity, creativity and shared prosperity.
The cultural evening was attended by Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, PPAF Chief Executive Officer Nadir Gul Barech and foreign delegates.
The evening transformed the close of a day devoted to finding lasting solutions to poverty into a colourful celebration of Pakistan’s cultural identity, bringing together national leadership, international guests and conference participants through the universal language of music.
The musical ensemble added charm to the gathering with stirring renditions of the national anthem and folk melodies from different regions, filling the atmosphere with patriotic fervour and cultural warmth.
The soulful tunes and rhythmic compositions lent the evening a special brilliance, showcasing the richness and diversity of Pakistan’s musical traditions.
Young singer M. Taha Ali set the stage on fire with his energetic performance, captivating the audience and adding an electrifying touch to the celebration.
His powerful vocals and engaging stage presence brought the gathering to life as the audience immersed itself in the melodies and rhythms celebrating Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage.
The performances created an atmosphere of joy and togetherness, allowing participants from different countries and backgrounds to experience the cultural richness of Pakistan beyond the formal setting of the conference.
Beyond entertainment, the Cultural Evening offered a meaningful expression of the values underpinning the conference’s theme, “Poverty to Prosperity”. It highlighted how cultural diversity, creativity and a shared sense of identity can bring people together across geographical and cultural boundaries.
For foreign delegates, the occasion provided an opportunity to experience Pakistan’s vibrant cultural heritage, while the gathering created space for informal interaction and fellowship beyond the conference’s formal discussions on inclusive growth, economic empowerment and sustainable poverty reduction.
As melodies from different regions resonated through the evening, music became a bridge between cultures and communities, reinforcing the message that lasting prosperity is not only about economic progress but also about inclusion, mutual respect and a shared vision for the future.
The Cultural Evening concluded the conference’s opening day on a celebratory note, blending the pursuit of social and economic progress with the richness of Pakistan’s cultural traditions and the unifying power of music.

Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)