DERA GHAZI KHAN: Under the strict security cover of Rangers, Baloch Levy and border military police, a large number of people from Punjab thronged the one-day Koh-i-Suleman Festival at Fort Munro on Saturday.

The location was adjacent to Punjab-Balohistan boundary, the only hill station of south Punjab in newly-established Sulaiman tehsil in Dera Ghazi Khan district.

Chief Minister Usman Buzdar was expected to attend the festival but he could not make to it due to his official engagements in Lahore but federal minister Zartaj Gul, Land Record Department Chairman Ahmed Ali Darishak andf provincial minister Mohsin Leghari represented the chief minister at the festival.

They visited camps established by the district health authorities, small industries and population welfare department.

The hill station was established by colonial rulers in late nineteenth century and they held here inter-tribe jirgas of Baloch tribes of Baluchistan and Punjab. It is 6,470-foot above the sea level and 85 kilometers from Dera Ghazi Khan city.

The underdeveloped hilly area, also the headquarter of the Leghari tribe, has been facing scarcity of drinking water since its establishment. Mr Buzdar ordered the festival to promote tourism in the area along the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Also, a group of motorcyclists who had traveled to Tehran to celebrate Independence Day in Iran came back after the accomplishment of the task on Saturday. The group was warmly welcomed and awarded shield by dignitaries.Noted folk singer Shafaullah Khan Rokhri, Nadia Hashmi, Sabaz Ali Bugti and Younis performed on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2019