BEIJING: The 5th “Horn of Peace” Military Band Festival of the ShanghaiCooperation Organization (SCO) kicked off in Beijing on Tuesday evening.

Military bands from eight countries, namely, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan,Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Belarus participate in thefestival.

The Pakistani military band was the star performer of the evening which waswatched by dignitaries from all the member states.

The opening ceremony of the 5th SCO Military Band Festival was held at asquare of the Juyongguan Pass of the Great Wall in Beijing on Tuesdayevening, which was followed by the first official performance of thefestival.

The eight participating military bands gave a parade performance at theBeijing Olympic Park on Wednesday morning and will stage the secondofficial performance at the Juyongguan Pass of the Great Wall on Wednesdayevening.

The 1st SCO Military Band Festival was held in 2014, and it has become acultural gala of SCO and a bridge linking the friendship betweenservicepersons of the armed forces of the SCO member states.

It is worth mentioning that, this year’s SCO Military Band Festival hasbeen joined by three new comers, and they are the military bands fromUzbekistan, India and Belarus.

Ambassador of Pakistan Masood Khalid and the Defence and Military Attacheof the Embassy of Pakistan were present at the occasion.