SWAT: A large number of people including locals and tourists attended Qawwali concert titled “Sufi Night, a Night for Peace” here on Tuesday night.

The Qawwali concert was part of a three-day festival titled “Puraman Swat”, organised by the district administration. Famous artist Shujaat Ali Khan of India’s Sham Chorasi family performed on the occasion and kept the people spellbound to receive applause from them.

Apart from a large number of locals and tourists, officials of the district administration, hockey players from 18 districts of the country, elders and social activists attended the event.

“It is good to see people from across the country here on this enthralling night. Organising Qawwali night and participation of a large number of people in it is the evidence that durable peace prevails in Swat,” Assistant Commissioner Asghar Surani said on the occasion.

Official urges tourists to visit the scenic valley to enjoy natural beauty

He said that the district administration would work day and night to ensure peace and facilitate tourists in Swat. He said that tourists from across the country must visit Swat to enjoy natural beauty and snow-related activities during the winter season.

Qawwal Shujaat Ali Khan said on the occasion that he was honoured to perform in Swat, which was not only a scenic tourist resort in Pakistan but also a place of hospitable and well-mannered people.

“I am very much inspired by the hospitality of the people and peace of the area. I am enjoying performing here as people love spiritual music. They are peace-loving and music-loving people,” he said. He added that the Sufi Night was a message of peace to the world.

Tourists from different parts of the country said that listening to Qawwali in Swat multiplied their entertainment as they received spiritual peace in the peaceful valley.

Local artists also performed on the occasion while a question-answer session on Swat and Pakistan was also held and prizes were distributed among athletes, children and women who answered the questions correctly.

The organisers said that the event was meant to convey a message to the world that Swat was also the cradle of ancient civilisation and there was complete peace. They said that domestic and foreign tourists were coming to Swat in a large number to visit tourist spots and enjoy the winter weather without any fear.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2022