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Swat festival - a step towards reviving tourism
PESHAWAR (July 05 2010): Swat festival, a step toward reviving tourism which is considered the only source of livelihood of the war stricken people of Malakand whose smile had vanished away with insurgency and terrorism. There were thousands of people in the streets and most of the locals were jubilated when they saw people came for the festival from different part of the country.
Certainly when there were joys and happiness everyone was there but when fear gripped the area due to militancy, the support of the whole nation, backed by the army.
The leading role of the army Jawans, officials of the law enforcing agencies and police who rendered sacrifices and embraced martyrdom were there smiling after looking at the streets which were filled with love and joy.
The people were seeing roaming till late night, the bazaars were opened, taxi and local rickshaws were there picking and dropping local tourists.
There is no fear if one sees in the eyes of local youngsters, shopkeepers and other vendors selling things during the festival because of the brave action taken by army.
It is worth mentioning here that the glory of little Switzerland ended abruptly when militants imposed a harsh rule over the Swat Valley for two years, a period that ended with military operations in May 2009.
The objective of the Swat festival to provide relief to the people who went under severe stress and fear and now through the festival they would have to get some relief and entertainment, Minister for Tourism Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Syed Aqil Shah said.
He lauded the role of army by organising the festival, which was masterminded by Pakistan Army, PARSA and local Hoteliers. He said the festival is carrying programme like musical shows of the local artists from other part of the country.
To provide amusement to the people, the festival include kite flying, canoeing, para-gliding, dances, car rally, sports events besides all this a poetic gathering is also part of the overall festival. Hoteliers of Swat, the area famous for tourists, have announced a 50 percent cut for the guest during the days of festival, said Shah.
He said Swat peace gala, an efforts to boost people confidence. It was very encouraging that people in large number swamped the colourful peace festival is an indication that the scenic valley of swat, once known for little Switzerland, had recovered from the days when the militants were occupying the area and depriving the residents of any entertainment activities.
Residents of the area seemed to be enjoying this rare opportunity visiting the venues in droves, hoping that the event would play a vital role in the revival of tourism activities which has been traditionally a major source of earning the livelihood for the people of the area.
"We cannot forget the time when thousands displaced from the homes and they lived in tents in a hot and humid weather, it was totally against of their living standard, but the brave people of Malakand division, fought that too with great courage, a sobbing Aqil Shah said. He said "I can not forget the day when I first visited a camp where I saw a dejected and bare-footed young guy. When I asked him do you want to play?, he replied, yes, but I lost my football in the war."
"We are thankful to all the industrialists of Sialkots and the government for their donations of sports gears and we proved when we organised "Play for Peace Festival" in each and every camp," he added. "Now organising Amn Mela was a step to express solidarity with the people of Malakand division that we were with them in war time and now in the peace time as well," Aqil Shah remarked.
Aqil Shah also appreciated GOC Malakand, General Javed and Brigadier Tariq, the local hotelies, PDMA, PRRSA for their support in making the event a reality. There are extra-ordinary measures were taken for ensuring security to the general public, he said. He said Green Kalam is providing free of cost facilities to the organisers.
Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]
Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2010
PESHAWAR (July 05 2010): Swat festival, a step toward reviving tourism which is considered the only source of livelihood of the war stricken people of Malakand whose smile had vanished away with insurgency and terrorism. There were thousands of people in the streets and most of the locals were jubilated when they saw people came for the festival from different part of the country.
Certainly when there were joys and happiness everyone was there but when fear gripped the area due to militancy, the support of the whole nation, backed by the army.
The leading role of the army Jawans, officials of the law enforcing agencies and police who rendered sacrifices and embraced martyrdom were there smiling after looking at the streets which were filled with love and joy.
The people were seeing roaming till late night, the bazaars were opened, taxi and local rickshaws were there picking and dropping local tourists.
There is no fear if one sees in the eyes of local youngsters, shopkeepers and other vendors selling things during the festival because of the brave action taken by army.
It is worth mentioning here that the glory of little Switzerland ended abruptly when militants imposed a harsh rule over the Swat Valley for two years, a period that ended with military operations in May 2009.
The objective of the Swat festival to provide relief to the people who went under severe stress and fear and now through the festival they would have to get some relief and entertainment, Minister for Tourism Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Syed Aqil Shah said.
He lauded the role of army by organising the festival, which was masterminded by Pakistan Army, PARSA and local Hoteliers. He said the festival is carrying programme like musical shows of the local artists from other part of the country.
To provide amusement to the people, the festival include kite flying, canoeing, para-gliding, dances, car rally, sports events besides all this a poetic gathering is also part of the overall festival. Hoteliers of Swat, the area famous for tourists, have announced a 50 percent cut for the guest during the days of festival, said Shah.
He said Swat peace gala, an efforts to boost people confidence. It was very encouraging that people in large number swamped the colourful peace festival is an indication that the scenic valley of swat, once known for little Switzerland, had recovered from the days when the militants were occupying the area and depriving the residents of any entertainment activities.
Residents of the area seemed to be enjoying this rare opportunity visiting the venues in droves, hoping that the event would play a vital role in the revival of tourism activities which has been traditionally a major source of earning the livelihood for the people of the area.
"We cannot forget the time when thousands displaced from the homes and they lived in tents in a hot and humid weather, it was totally against of their living standard, but the brave people of Malakand division, fought that too with great courage, a sobbing Aqil Shah said. He said "I can not forget the day when I first visited a camp where I saw a dejected and bare-footed young guy. When I asked him do you want to play?, he replied, yes, but I lost my football in the war."
"We are thankful to all the industrialists of Sialkots and the government for their donations of sports gears and we proved when we organised "Play for Peace Festival" in each and every camp," he added. "Now organising Amn Mela was a step to express solidarity with the people of Malakand division that we were with them in war time and now in the peace time as well," Aqil Shah remarked.
Aqil Shah also appreciated GOC Malakand, General Javed and Brigadier Tariq, the local hotelies, PDMA, PRRSA for their support in making the event a reality. There are extra-ordinary measures were taken for ensuring security to the general public, he said. He said Green Kalam is providing free of cost facilities to the organisers.
Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]
Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2010
