SWABI, April 15: The three-day Indus Food Festival, held at the bank of the Indus River, concluded on Sunday with a promise by its organisers that such events would be arranged across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to revive culture and promote tourism.
The festival was organised by Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP). The organisers said that the event was aimed at promoting tourism in the province and giving a message to the world that Pakhtuns were peace-loving people.
A large number of people from Islamabad, Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan and Nowshera visited the festival and appreciated the efforts of TCKP. People saw colourful stalls of handicrafts, accessories, woodworks and clay moulds. Great rush was witnessed at the stall of Chapli Kabab although a considerable number of visitors was present at each food stall. Play areas were set up for children. The visitors also enjoyed Khattak dance.
“We have really enjoyed our visit. The festival reminds us the pre-militancy period when people were going all around the country for participating in such events,” said Mohammad Zahid, a visitor from Bamkhel.
Shahab Ali, a representative of a pharmaceutical company, said that TCKP should arrange such festivals on regular basis to promote cultural activities and discourage militancy.
Most of the visitors were of the view that youth were unaware of the culture of their forefathers owing to the present lifestyle of people. They demanded of the authorities to organise such events to revive Pakhtun culture.
“Such events show that Pakhtuns hate militancy and strive for restoration of peace in the militancy-hit regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal belt,” the visitors said.
Provincial Minister for Sports and Tourism Syed Aqil Shah, who was chief guest on the occasion, said that he had been striving to present the soft image of the country to the world since he assumed the office.
He said that government launched an extensive plan for promotion of tourism in the province and TCKP organised several functions in Kalam, Kaghan, Swat and other areas for the purpose.
