By F Shahzad
SWAT: Swat Sports and Culture Festival was held in Mingora on Saturday to explore the beauty of the valley known as Switzerland of Pakistan.
Sports and Culture Festival Held in Swat
A large number of local and countrywide tourists attended Swat Sports and Culture Festival in Mingora, Swat. Tourists said that they are really happy to see the true picture of Swat and lauded the organizers for the arrangements of this beautiful event.
The event featured performances of well-known artists Shahid Khan Malang and Ayaz. The tourists appreciated the performance of the artists and said that they are the true icons of the local art.
Akhtar Naveed Khan, who attended the festival in Swat said that such types of events should be held in other parts of the country especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to explore the beauty of amazing Pakistan, particularly the northern parts.
He said that the Government should give more priority to the sector of tourism to attract foreign tourists as well. He was of the view that the sector of tourism has a lot of potential to boost the local and national economies.
Sports competitions were also part of the festival, where a large number of children took part with zeal and enthusiasm. Several stalls were also set up at the festival and many tourists took keen interest in the stalls.
Swat home of Gandhara civilization and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Talking to the media, Regional Sports Officer Kashif Farhan said that the aim of the event is to provide a healthy activity to the citizens to spend quality time with their families. He said that such positive events will also promote tourism countrywide, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Kashif termed Swat as a center of tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding the district administration and tourism department will work hard to facilitate tourists in the valley.
Switzerland of Pakistan
Swat is a beautiful valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is also known as the Switzerland of Pakistan, which is an attractive destination for tourists countrywide and worldwide.
Senior journalist Alam Zaib Khan said that Swat is home to Gandhara civilization while its unique features like river rafting, ice skiing, snow-clad mountain peaks, adventure sports, trout-fish, motorway, and good communication infrastructure can attract many tourists in the current season.
He said that tourists can enjoy freshwater of the river Swat, Fazagut spot, and the famous Mahodand lake during their visit. He advised the tourists to bring sweaters and warm clothes while visiting this beautiful valley due to the commencement of winter.
