CHARSADDA: In a landmark cultural and sporting event, the scenic banks of the River Kabul at Sardaryab here came alive on Sunday as the China Window, in collaboration with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority, organised a Dragon Boat Festival to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations.

The event, described by organisers as the first Dragon Boat Festival of its kind in Pakistan, attracted government officials, sports enthusiasts, cultural representatives, members of civil society and a large number of residents who gathered to witness the colourful celebrations highlighting the enduring friendship between the two countries.

Among the participants were Minister Fazal Shakoor Khan, special assistant to the chief minister, Adil Iqbal, Charsadda Deputy Commissioner Dr Azmatullah Khan Wazir and others.

The festival featured thrilling dragon boat races in the River Kabul, where athletes and teams showcased their skills in a display of coordination, endurance and sportsmanship. The races drew applause from spectators lining the riverbanks, turning Sardaryab into a vibrant centre of sporting activity.

The organisers said the event was aimed not only at promoting water sports and tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but also at strengthening people-to-people ties between Pakistan and China through cultural exchanges and shared celebrations.

The Dragon Boat Festival is one of China’s most celebrated traditional cultural events and is observed annually in different parts of the world. By bringing the festival to Charsadda, the organisers sought to introduce local communities to Chinese cultural traditions, while simultaneously promoting the tourism potential of the historic Sardaryab region.

Participants repeatedly chanted slogans of “Long Live Pakistan-China Friendship” and waved flags symbolising the close ties between the two countries.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2026