MINGORA, July 11 As a festival marking return of peace to Swat valley continued here in Mingora, a similar event got under way in Kalam with a car rally on Sunday.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Minister for Tourism and Culture Syed Aqil Shah inaugurated the Kalam festival, being held in Khwazakhela, an area once a Taliban stronghold.

Along all major roads in the valley, especially along those leading to the festival venues, the organisers set up counters to assist tourists from within and outside the valley.

The areas in and around Kalam, Madyan and Behrain were thronging with people on the first day of the festival.

The revellers were not only treated to the car rally but also to a music show, which was held in Madyan. Artistes sang traditional and folk songs at the show.

In collaboration with the district government of Swat and provincial disaster management authority, the army has organised the festival to help revive tourism in the once conflict-hit area.