The second edition of grand Pakistan Festival France held in suburb of Paris concluded today with a launch of fund raising campaign for the Prime Minister/Chief Justice Fund for building Diamer Bhasha and Mohmmand Dams and a splendid display of Pakistan’s culture, handicrafts and cuisine, says a press release received from Paris here today. The Festival was jointly inaugurated by the Ambassador of Pakistan to France Moin ul Haque, member of French Parliament Mr. Francois Pupponi and Mayor of Sarcelles town Ms. Annie Péronnet. Thousands of people from various walks of life including local French officials, diplomats, members of French Civil Society, media persons and expatriate Pakistanis attended the festival. While addressing the inaugural ceremony, Ambassador congratulated the Festival management committee for bringing the Pakistani community on a single platform to celebrate and introduce Pakistani cultural diversity and folk heritage to the French public. Ambassador also thanked the Pakistani community for generously donating in the Prime Minister/Chief Justice Fund setup to raise funds for construction of the Dams to mitigate shortage of water faced by Pakistan due to climate changes. He specifically thanked Mr. Abrar ul Haq, the world renowned Pakistani singer who had specially flown from Pakistan to entertain the audience with his heartwarming patriotic songs and sufi music and to motivate the expatriate Pakistani to generously contribute in the fund for dams. Senator Faisal Javed, the convener of Pakistan-France Friendship Group in the Senate of Pakistan was also present on the occasion to urge the community for joining in this national cause. Member of French Parliament, Mr. Francois Pupponi and Mayor of Sarcelles town Ms. Annie Péronnet also spoke on the occasion and praised the Pakistan community as hardworking, peaceful and friendly. They said that this festival had not only provided the French public a rare chance to experience a mini Pakistan in France but would also help in improving the bilateral relations between the two countries. The Festival programme included performances by young boys and girls, tableaus, speeches to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Azam and leaders of the independence movement. More than hundred stalls were also setup offering Pakistani products, handicrafts and authentic food.
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