A large number of visitors, including domestic and foreign tourists, on Saturday visited the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa pavilion and evinced keen interest in the rich culture, handicrafts, and distinct traditions being showcased at the three-day Islamabad Tourism Festival.
The festival was held at Shalimar Park Ground in Fatima Jinnah Park, F-9.
The KP-CTA established the KP Pavilion at the Islamabad Tourism Festival to highlight the cultural and traditional handicrafts and tourism potential to attract more tourists to the province.
Artisans from across the KP, including Abbottabad, Dera Ismail Khan, Haripur Swabi, Charsadda, Mansehra, Peshawar, Chitral and elsewhere erected stalls that displayed the cultural and traditional handicrafts, food cuisines and music.
The Swati Shawls, Kalash, Khadar, embroidery, Taghar work, Bannu Royal Khaadi, stone carving, Peshawari caps and chapal, wax painting, metal work, wood carving, artwork, calligraphy, ring making, sitar making, Chitrali Patti, Gandhara Art, Drooza chappal, Sarghashay, Charsadda chappal, maizaray work, Karawa work, Sarkha, Dandas, Parunay, pottery work, Qehwa, blacksmith work, Hazara Jisti Shawl and Moti work and cultural items and jewellry made of copper and stone attracted visitors .
Traditional dances were performed and folk music with rabab mangay also played to entertain visitors and tourists at the festival. Other artistes like Sahar Ali, Azmat Ali, Aima Baig and others would also perform at the event.
The tour operators have also established a special desk to provide information about the cultural and tourism potential of the province through brochures, posters, booklets, video documentaries and pamphlets so that the families and visitors could obtain details regarding scenic attractions and cultural diversity.
Other activities, including power gliding, micro light, paragliding, horse, parade, Vintage car show, motorbike road show, food show and play land for the children also part of the festival.
A true image of the country, like a ‘mini Pakistan’ has been showcased in the festival while representing all parts of the country in its unique colours.
However, a visitor from KP, Khalid Khan remarked and said “This festival is a great opportunity for the tourists and families to know about the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s scenic resorts, rich cultural heritage and handicrafts,”
