MINGORA: The families and young people thronged Wadudia Hall in Saidu Sharif to enjoy the live performance of famous Pashto singers on Wednesday evening.

After several years of gloom and destruction, melodious songs and music echoed in the hall that took back the audience to the good old days of the picturesque valley, which fell pray to militancy in 2007.

Organised by Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the music night at the historical Wadudia Hall attracted hundreds of people. Most of the participants had come to the show along with their families.

The local women, who attended the music night, appreciated the event as according to them there were limited opportunities of recreation for families.

“For the first time, after the uprooting of militancy, we came to enjoy the music night. The music and gathering of so many people is really encouraging,” said Shagufta Ali, a woman teacher, who had come from Mingora for the music night.

She said that several activities were organised in Swat after restoration of peace in the valley but they were majorly attended by men.

Renowned Pashto singers Karan Khan, Khalid Malik, Shaukat Mehmood, Nabila, Muskan and others performed in the show while famous poet Zafar Khan also presented his humorous poetry to entertain the audience.

“Not only, Swat valley is famous for its scenic beauty but its people are also cultured, peace-loving and hospitable. Today they received us warmly and gave us real love,” Khalid Malik, a Pashto singer told Dawn.

Popular singer Karan Khan, also a resident of Swat, said that he performed after a long time in Swat which satisfied his soul.

“Seeing large number of women along with their family members and the enthusiastic youth, this evening is a real fun. This is not only a music show but also a cultural and social event which attracted so many families,” he said.

Karan Khan said that such events were very important for durable peace in Swat as those could promote tourism in the area.

Hamayun Khan, a representative of the Tourism Corporation, said that the goal of the event was to bring together the local families and provide them with a social platform where they could enjoy. The event was also attended by the commissioner of Malakand Division and other officials of the district and provincial administration.

“The district administration welcomes such positive steps to entertain people of Swat. We welcome tourists from across the country to come and enjoy the serenity here,” said Ashfaq Khan, the assistant commissioner of Babuzai tehsil. — Correspondent

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2015

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