SWABI: The traditional bull race held in Beka region attracted thousands of people not only from across Swabi but also from various adjoining districts on Wednesday.

The people poured into the venue in great numbers despite the harsh summer day. The event was attended by over 8,000 people from various villages of the district, and Buner, Mardan, Nowshera and some Punjab districts.

Abdul Karim, adviser to the chief minister on industry, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The local farmers, who organised the race, had leveled the agriculture fields and extended hospitality to the bull owners, who were overjoyed to display the might of their bulls. The race provided a great source of excitement, entertainment and festivity to the farmers and visitors.

On the occasion, Mr Karim said the bull race was a very courageous cultural event of farmers and the government wanted to highlight it not only at national but also at the international level.

“The bull trace could attract tourists and Pakistan could earn sufficient foreign exchange. The race encourages and promotes peace and harmony in the society,” he said. Trophies were presented by Mr Karim to the jubilant winners of the race amidst thundering cheer and applause from the assembled crowed.

TRADERS REJECT TAXES: The Anjuman-i-Dokandaran has rejected the new taxes on traders and demanded that the government instead of targeting the small traders should retrieve the looted wealth from politicians.

Speaking at a meeting on Wednesday, they said the ‘unjust taxes’ were not acceptable to them at any cost, regretting that instead of giving incentives to the business community the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government had imposed new taxes on them.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2019