Orakzai Spring Festival Begins To Introduce Tourism Industry

News Desk

Peshawar: A two-day Jashan-e-Baharan festival started in Kharasha-Khwa Stori Khel Orakzai tribal district on Saturday to introduce the tourism sector as an industry in the Orakzai merged district and invite tourists to explore the beauty of the area and experience the traditions and culture of the Orakzai district.

Jointly organised by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Authority (KPCTA), the Tourism Wing and the Pakistan Army, the event was inaugurated by Director General Forests Tahir Orakzai.

A large number of people, including children, attended the event and enjoyed the festival. Along with pavilions showcasing local cuisines and items symbolising the traditions of the five provinces, stalls were set up during the event to highlight the area’s varied cultures.

TahirOrakzai said that the event would project a positive image of the area and provide new opportunities for locals to grow. There are several tourism destinations in Orakzai that deserve exploration, he added.

The Director General stated that KPCTA is doing a tremendous job of promoting the tourism sector and has made outstanding efforts to make it easier for visitors to the Orakzai district.

Various events, including the Khattak dance, paragliding, motorcycle race, marathon race, 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, CharsaddaKhadar, CharsaddaChappal, 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 the Pakistan 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 opened the Orakzai district for tourists with the help of the Pakistan 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 activity.

KPCTA has also introduced Samana Top, Nanwar Cave, and Sampogh Top as tourist destinations, and the majority of work on the installation of camping pods has been completed. Facilitation centres and rest areas have also been established for tourists, and information-providing boards have been installed for them.