TIMERGARA, May 2: A five-day Dir Cultural and Peace Festival organised by the provincial government with the help of security forces concluded here on Wednesday with the chief guest strongly feeling that it’ll contribute to sports and tourism promotion in the region.

Addressing the concluding ceremony at the Dir Scouts ground, Sector North I Commander Brigadier Nadeem Mirza said security forces had been trying their best to provide people of the region with more and more entertainment facilities.

He said the cultural festival was aimed at giving the world a message of restoration of complete peace in the area. “Tourists can now visit this beautiful and scenic valley without fear,” he said, adding that people of Dir had rendered great sacrifices for restoration of peace.

Thanking organisers of the festival, the sector commander said successful conduction of this cultural festival proved that people of the area had been peace loving.

“No one can deny importance of sports and entertainment,” he said, adding that Pukhtun culture was rich in social, traditional and civilisational norms and values.

Brigadier Nadeem appreciated role of locals and media for making the festival a success and said security forces would arrange such festivals in future.

“I think this event will prove a major boost for sports and tourism promotion,” he said, asking youth to actively participate in healthy activities.

Dir Scouts Commandant Colonel Kamran Aslam, who was also in attendance, said natural environment and beauty were gifts from Almighty Allah. He said people of the area wanted social and economic development but they needed opportunities and facilities for it.

The chief guest later distributed certificates and medals among winners of different competitions, stallholders and players.

Later, Khattak dance was performed to the delight of visitors, who also enjoyed songs, plays, gymnastic show, a magic performance and swings. The number of visitors greatly increased on the last day of the festival. They urged the authorities to organise such events in future, too, for better entertainment.

District coordination officer Mahmood Aslam, district police officer Salim Marwat, politicians, notables of the area, sportsmen and a large number of youth attended the ceremony.