A new cultural diorama dedicated to the “Meo Community” was inaugurated at the Pakistan National Museum of Ethnology – Heritage Museum (Lok Virsa) by Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Mr. Aurangzeb Khan Khichi. The display aims to showcase the rich history, heritage, and traditions of the Meo community — a significant ethnolinguistic group in Pakistan.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the Minister said, “The Meo community is a vibrant and integral part of Pakistan’s cultural mosaic. Their values, traditions, and resilience must be celebrated and preserved. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to cultural inclusion and national unity.” He lauded Lok Virsa for promoting the voices of marginalized communities through such creative and inclusive platforms.
The Minister said that the National Heritage and Culture Division under Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s leadership is actively working to highlight and preserve the diverse cultural identities of Pakistan.
The event was attended by Coordinator to Prime Minister Shabir Usmani, Parliamentary Secretary Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, Secretary Mr. Asad Rehman Gilani, Executive Director Lok Virsa Dr. Muhammad Waqas Saleem, and a large number of Meo community members. The display was sponsored by the Meo community itself, highlighting community engagement and ownership.
Dr. Waqas Saleem emphasized that the diorama is part of Lok Virsa’s broader vision of “Community Development through Culture.” “Every community has a story to tell. Through this platform, we bring their voices to the national narrative,” he stated.
It is worth mentioning here that the Meo community, primarily residing in southern Punjab and Sindh, is known for its agricultural lifestyle, colorful attire, Sufi musical traditions, and folk practices. The new exhibit includes a live "singing corner" where the minister listened to Meo-language Sufi songs performed by community artists.
