Two-day Orakzai spring festival kicks off

A two-day Spring Festival, aimed at promoting tourism sector in the tribal belt of Pakistan kicked off in Orakzai tribal district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

It was jointly organized by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Authority (K-PCTA), Tourism Wing and Pakistan Army in Stori Khel.

The event was inaugurated by Director General Forests, Tahir Orakzai, and attended by Deputy Commissioner Tayab Abdullah, Commandant Orakzai Scouts Colonel Muhammad Tasneem Khan, Project Director Ishtiaq Ahmad and Tourism officials.

The festival is aimed at developing the tourism sector as an industry in Orakzai merged district and to invite tourists to explore the beauty of the area and experience the traditions and culture of district.

A large number of people, including children, attended the event and enjoyed the festival. Stalls were set up in the festival to highlight the rich traditions of the area, besides pavilions of local cuisines and items representing the traditions of the five provinces.

Speaking on the occasion, Tahir Orakzai said that the event would project a positive image of the area and open new vistas of development for the local people. He added that Orakzai has abundant places of tourist attraction that need to be explored.

He also mentioned that KPCTA is doing a tremendous job promoting the tourism industry and has taken remarkable steps for the facilitation of tourists visiting the Orakzai district.

Various events, including Khattak dance, paragliding, motorcycle race, marathon, jeep race, tent-paging, karate, horse dance and camel dance, were also held during the festival. KPCTA also set up stalls of truck art, cultural dresses, antique jewellery, Charsadda khaddar, Charsadda Chappal, Karakul caps, and paintings.

Prizes were distributed among the winners of various games.

It is worth mentioning that KPCTA has arranged different events in collaboration with army and locals to promote tourism and project a soft image of the area worldwide.

These events would help invite tourists to the area and create economic opportunities for the locals.

KPCTA has opened Orakzai district for tourists with the help of army and the district administration before Eid, and more than 150,000 tourists have visited various areas of Orakzai so far.

Sessions of training have also been arranged for local youth, enabling them to work as tourist guides and boost economic activities. The festival would also disseminate the message in the world that peace has been restored in the area with the joint efforts of Pakistan Army, law enforcement agencies, police, local elders, and people.

CTA has also introduced Samana Top, Nanwar Cave, Sampogh Top as a tourist destination, and the majority of work on the installation of camping pods has been completed.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2023.