BUNER: A three-day cultural festival began at the picturesque Shaheeda Sar area of Chagharzai valley here on Friday to promote tourism and highlight the scenic beauty, archeological and historical importance of the militancy-affected Buner district.

Commissioner Malakand Division Syed Zaheerul Islam along with Buner Deputy Commissioner Zareeful Maani inaugurated the festival titled ‘Buner Qaumi Maila’.

District nazim Dr Obaidullah, naib nazim Yousaf Ali Khan and DPO Mohammad Irshad Khan Yousafzai accompanied the commissioner.

Members of district, tehsil, and villages councils, leaders of political parties, elders, and residents, including girls and boys students, teachers, literary figures and mediapersons attended the ceremony.

The commissioner said people of Malakand had faced man-made and natural calamities with bravery and courage. He said the festivity was manifestation that peace and tranquility had returned to the region.

He assured full cooperation to the district administration in arranging such events, adding special attention would be given to bring the district on a par with developed areas.

He expressed heartfelt felicitation to the district government, district administration and elders for organising the event, hoping that the colourful activity would portray positive and soft image of the district and tourists would throng green lush valley of Chaghorzai.

He said the activity would help promote tourism and enhance income of local people.

Deputy commissioner, district nazim, naib nazim and others also addressed the gathering.

The organisers have made elaborate security arrangements. Food stalls, recreational facilities for visitors, especially traditional music, magic show and ‘mirawas’ show are the attractions of the festival.

The fair is aimed at showing the people of the adjoining districts and other parts of the country that peace has been restored in the militancy-hit district.

Buner has great potential for tourism, especially religious tourism, which needs to be explored and promoted and the fair would contribute a lot in this respect, said Zareeful Maani.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2017