ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal Parliamentary Secretary of National Heritage and Culture Ghazala Saifi hosted a Ceremony to Celebrate “The Ajrak Makers of Pakistan” in Islamabad on November 25, 2020.
The event titled “Ajrak/Indigo Hands” took place at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad.
The venue was full of captivating Ajrak displays and many honorable guests delivered speeches including the President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi.
Among the honorary speakers were the Federal Minister for Education & Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood and the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar.
Prime Minister Imran Khan is actively working towards the improvement and development of the national Business activity. It is through his vision that these items of interest will gain global acknowledgment.
The art of Ajrak holds a great deal of cultural value, it has been carried on for more than 5000 years.
Alarmingly, it is becoming a dying art, with the Ajrak artists not being able to make ends meet due to the low wages they get and the value of handwoven goods dropping due to the changing tides of time and technology.
It is crucial that we give these artists a platform and educate people about the importance Ajrak holds for us as a people.
Pakistan’s textile industry has always had immense artistic potential and cultural impact. The government’s National Heritage and Culture Division is making it a priority to ensure that the public learns the value of the extremely demanding art of Ajrak.