MINGORA: People here on Saturday lauded promotion of art and local culture in the beautification project launched by the provincial government in Swat.

Under the Rs1 billion beautification project, thematic paintings along the walls on both sides of main Mingora-Saidu Sharif Road attract attention of the local people who visit the walls to observe the paintings.

“Beautiful sceneries on the walls depicting local culture and tradition is something new and amazing as these are not only wall paintings, but a complete show of cultural heritage,” said Asad Iqbal, a college student who was standing with other friends observing paintings with keen interest.

A resident Jan Alam said that Saidu Sharif and Mingora were important towns of Swat district which had earlier become dirty and mismanaged giving an ugly look. People said that the beautification project would also promote tourism in the area.

“Swat’s scenic spots, cultural and archaeological monuments should also be drawn and painted on the walls so that the local people take interest in them,” said Tariq Sadiq, a resident of Saidu Sharif. The initiative also revived the dying tradition of paintings.

“With the advent of digital flex boards many painters had become jobless. However, scores of painters found jobs in the beautification project,” said Murad Khan, a local painter. He said that stone and wood art would also be highlighted in the paintings so that people of Swat, particularly students and youth, could learn about their cultural heritage.

Deputy commissioner Amer Afaq said that it was the collective responsibility of all to keep Swat clean and beautiful.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2018