SWAT: A large number of tourists enjoyed folk music, food and traditional games besides scenic beauty of the valley as a four-day festival concluded here.

The festival titled “Puraman Swat” was organised by the district administration to promote winter tourism, folk music and traditional skills after the recent wave of terrorism and devastating floods.

Renowned singers, poets and writers attended the festival. Noted Qawwal Shujat Ali Khan of India’s Sham Chorasi family also performed during the first two days of the festival and kept the tourists and locals spellbound to receive applause from them.

“We visited Swat to participate in the festival. We enjoyed local food and music along the Swat River. Swat is not only scenically beautiful but culturally rich,” said Ikramullah, a resident of Peshawar, who was enjoying Pashto music at Fizagat Park.

The tourists said that they enjoyed the local embroidery and wood carving at various stalls at the festival. “The embroidery and wood carvings have a unique pattern, which seems to belong to hundreds of years,” said Riaz Ahmad, a tourist from Islamabad.

“The people, who love art and culture, must visit Swat,” he said. The tourists said that Swat was an important scenic spot in the entire country. They said that Swat attracted tourists both in the summer and winter seasons.

“When the situation was not good here, we were sad as Swat belongs to every Pakistani citizen. Swat is the most important place where we come to enjoy the lush green summer season with pleasant weather as well as the snow-related activities during the winter season,” said Mehnaz, a tourist from Lakki Marwat.

Popular TikTokers and social media stars also participated in the festival to promote tourism in Swat.

Officials said that it was the first festival in Swat after the devastating floods and the recent rumours regarding regrouping of terrorists in the district.

“To revive and promote tourism, the district administration decided to organise the festival,” said Assistant Commissioner Asghar Surani. He added that more festivals would be organised soon in Gabin Jabba, Malam Jabba, Kalam and other tourist spots.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2022