UPPER DIR, Feb 17: The army will hold a three-day snow sports festival in the border area of Shahi in Upper Dir district from Feb 23.

Paragliding, skiing, snow rugby, tug of war, volleyball and other sports activities will be held during the festival.

Addressing a press briefing, army spokesman in Upper Dir said that various stalls would also be arranged on the occasion where hot tea, coffee, confectionaries, local food stuff and dry fruits would also be available to the visitors at reduced rates.

He said that a variety of local stuff such as Chitrali shawls, caps, Dir knifes, etc would also be on sale at the souvenir stalls during the event. He said that in view of extreme cold weather, suitable arrangements would be made for families and children to relax and enjoy the festival.

Upper Dir receives heavy snowfall in winters, but it has hardly attracted tourists due to bad condition of roads and absence of such programmes. The festival would also attract people from other parts of the country to visit this remote district, situated along Pak-Afghan border.

The official said that the festival was being held to provide entertainment to people of Malakand division, particularly Lower and Upper Dir districts, where peace had been restored.

He said that the law-enforcement agencies had been taking steps for maintenance of peace so that people could participate in healthy activities. Teams from across Malakand division would participate in the festival.