TAXILA: Dancing to folk tunes while wearing traditional costumes, performers showcased the rich cultural diversity of Attock in a festival heralding the arrival of spring on Sunday.

Apart from horse dancing and the traditional Jhoomar dance, a number of stalls showcasing regional food and handicraft were set up at the event. The festival had been organised under the aegis of the district government to entertain residents of the area.

Flowers were exhibited by the district council and the forest department and the general public showed great interest and appreciated this healthy initiative of the district administration.

Deputy Commissioner Attock Rao Atif Raza inaugurated the spring festival.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Raza said the festival was being organised to promote local culture and provide recreation to families.

He said a number of steps had been taken to promote domestic tourism in the district, especially the renovation of a British-era rest house at Kalla Chitta Forest Range and a boating point at the ancient river trade route on the bank of Indus River in Jand.

He said efforts should be made to preserve the environment and water resources for the next generation. He also appreciated the organisers and hoped that they would continue to hold spring festivals in future, as such positive activities were a source of healthy entertainment.

Deputy Director Information Shahzad Niaz Khokar also briefed the visitors about the festival.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2024