MINGORA, June 20: The four-day Swat Summer Festival opened in Kalam valley on Thursday with much fanfare.
A gymnastic display, paragliding, performances of Khattak and Chitrali dancers, stunts by a motorcyclist and a freefall jump from Special Services Group commandos were the key events of the first day of the festival jointly organised by the provincial government and Pakistan Army.
Provincial Governor Engineer Shaukatullah inaugurated the festival.
He told participants that it was a good sign that life and beauty of Swat had been restored.
The governor said promotion of tourism would lead to promotion of business activities in the valley.
He said the summer festival would promote tourism in Swat besides entertaining the people, who had shown up in large numbers from across the country.
Mr Shaukatullah voiced concern over the illegal cutting of trees in Swat and warned that if trees were not protected against illegal cutting, then the River Swat ‘friend’ would become enemy as it had caused massive damage to public life and property in 2010.
Earlier, General Officer Commanding Swat Major General Sanaullah Khan Niazi highlighted the aims of the festival and said the army was arranging healthy activities in the valley to promote tourism, which was the main source of income for the locals.He said the army had restored peace in the area with the local residents’ support and cooperation.
Later, the army personnel presented salaam to the chief guest, while the students of Khpal Kor Model School, Mingora sang a welcome song.
SSG commandos demonstrated a freefall jump from a height of 10 thousand foots and received appreciation from participants.
Mir Hassan, a motorcyclist from Sibbi, jumped over 10 vehicles, while personnel of military police demonstrated motorcycle stunts.
On June 23, international record holder motorcyclist Sultan Golden will jump over 15 cars in Usho.
Though the road from Madyan to Kalam has been awaiting reconstruction since the 2010 floods destroyed it, the people from the country’s various parts have shown up in large numbers for attending the festival.
Assistant Professor of Islamia University, Bahawalpur’s media studies department Dr Abdul Wajid Khan told Dawn that he had come to the valley along with 10 students to attend the festival.
He said Swat was peaceful and the people should visit it for sightseeing.
Bashir Shaikh, a banker from Larkana, said he and other members of his family felt insecure when they left for Swat but on arrival in the valley, they were much relaxed to see peaceful environment.