Lahore Festival planned at London’s Hyde Park

By Shoaib Ahmed

LAHORE: Mian Yousuf Salahuddin, a philanthropist and a popular figure in the city’s arts and culture circles is planning to hold a festival at Hyde Park, London to highlight Lahore’s culture.

Talking to Daily Times on Saturday, he said the festival would feature music, food and kites and it would be arranged with the help of friends and the government. “I will meet Pakistan’s High Commissioner to UK Maleeha Lodhi in this regard,” he said.

Mr Salahuddin said he first spoke about the idea of holding a cultural show in Britain in an interview last year. He said he received an overwhelming response to his suggestion, adding Pakistan’s ambassador Jaffer Qadir invited him to dinner to tell that he was also interested in holding such an activity. Finally, he said with collective efforts a show, ‘Rhythms of Indus’ was held at Royal Albert Hall, London. “The show had a lot to offer from top folk singers to a classical performance by Naheed Siddqiui,” he added.

Mr Salahuddin, who happens to be a Walled City resident, lamented the neglect of various historical monuments. He said Wazir Khan Mosque, Masti Gate Shahi Mosque and many other historical buildings were in a dilapidated condition. He said that old buildings looked after by the federal government should be handed over to the Punjab government. He said a committee of experts and conservationists should be formed to look after the condition of monuments in Lahore. He suggested names of Kamil Mumtaz, Syed Babar Ali, Faqir Aijazuddin and Kamran Lashari as its members.

He also suggested laying down the law about the conservation of historical monuments. Mr Salahuddin said the demolition of old buildings in the Walled City should not be allowed.

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