Minority youth adventure plan completed

PESHAWAR: A five-day adventure programme was organized for minority community youth in Galiyat under the annual development programme of the Department of Auqaf, Hajj, Religious and Minority Affairs, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

More than 200 minority youth, men and women from different districts of KP traveled and participated in trips, said a press release.The participants belonged to the Christian community, Sikh community, Kailash and Hindus.

The aim was to strengthen the youth’s mental and physical latitude for struggle, endurance, self-confidence, fighting harsh weather, competition, and commitment by going out of their comfort zones.

The programme also had objectives related to tourism promotion, geographical information, environmental friendliness, interfaith harmony, teamwork, discipline, and sightseeing.The participants were given adventure activities for five days in Nathiagali, Changagali, Dongagali and other nearby areas.

Hiking, trekking, mountain climbing, water crossing, shooting, wild walk, rope climbing, sack race, thug of war and other physical activities conducted. The participants were briefed on the tourism opportunities, wildlife, climate change and environmental issues of the area.

Sessions were conducted for the participants by experts on civic responsibilities, climate change, legal and effective use of digital media. The participants were briefed on the importance of regional tourism, eco-friendliness and tree plantation by Aqeel Joshi, in charge of Tourist Facilitation Centre Dongagali.

A cleanliness campaign was organized in Khanspur to raise awareness among the society and especially the youth.

The programme participants cleaned the Khanspur Cricket Ground and the nearby area.Various teams were formed and sports competitions were held among them, including cricket, badminton, thug of war, target shooting, sack race, indoor games including ludo, carrom board, etc.

Cash prizes were given to the successful teams. The participants were made to hike six kilometers to Mashkpuri, hike Lalazar, trekk four kilometers to the pipeline track from Ayubia to Donga Gali and were briefed on the historical importance of the pipeline track and the Ayubia Tunnel.

The participants were also given a tour of churches in Khanspur and Nathia Gali, where they were briefed on the historical importance of the churches.The participants were given a tour of historical places in the area, the bazaar and the Peshawar University Baragali Summer Campus. Bonfires and music were also arranged for the participants, which the participants enjoyed. A simple and dignified ceremony was held on the occasion of International Minority Rights Day under the programme.

On the occasion of this day, the chief guest DSP Circle Imtiaz Khan cut the cake and while speaking said that the youth can truly bring about change in society by utilizing their talents.