Interview to Radio Pakistan about the Punjab People’s Festival on March 31, 1973

In an interview to Radio Pakistan after witnessing the Punjab People’s Festival President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto said that the Festival is a beginning made by People’s Government towards larger and greater participation of the masses in such national organizations and in future such Melas will also be held in other parts of the country to enable the people to demonstrate their talent and skill in full.

The President said he has directed the authorities that such large scale Melas and festivals should also be held at Sibi and Jacobabad. He said previously such functions were held on a limited scale for a selected gathering where parades were held without any utility or the masses. But, he said, this was no way for a nation. It was artificial and effected. But the People’s Government has dispensed with such artificial ways. The People’s Government, he said wants that such festivals should represent the poor masses n which peasants, workers and youth could take active part because so long as they are not on the scene such festivals would continue to be a futile and barren effort.

The President appreciated the efforts of the Punjab Government for providing such an occasion to the masses for demonstrating their spirit of discipline and collective participation on such a large and magnificent scale.