Hunar Mela kicks off

PESHAWAR: Advisor to Chief Minister on Tourism Abdul Munim Khan on Friday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had taken tangible steps for the promotion of tourism and rehabilitation of tourist spots in the province.

Inaugurating the three-day Hunar Mela at the PIA Planetarium here, he hoped the event would prove a milestone in showcasing the skills and talents of the artists and skilled women entrepreneurs.

Besides a large number of people, including men, women, students and families, Secretary Sports, Tourism, Museums, Archaeology, Culture and youth Affairs Muhammad Tariq, Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) Managing Director Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, General Manager (Admin) Sajjad Hameed and other officials attended the event on the first day, said a press release.

Abdul Munim Khan said the department had organised several events which included the cultural and food festival in Dera Ismail Khan, family festival in Kohat, zip-lining and floral shows in Peshawar and others to highlight and promote the skills of the artists.

He said such events would be organized in every nook and corner of the province to provide opportunities of entertainment and recreation to the people at local level. The advisor also said the department had installed camping pods at the scenic resorts across the province to facilitate the tourists. He said the camping pods would be inaugurated soon. He later visited various stalls and praised the organisers for arranging the mega event.

Organised by the TCKP, the event is aimed at highlighting the skills of artists and providing opportunity of entertainment to the women and families at local level. A large number of people including men, women, students and families thronged the stalls displaying various cultural and traditional items and foods.

The concert pavilion offers traditional Khattak, Mehsud, Attan, Chitrali, Gatka, Attan Ball, and Bangash dances. Artistes Sara Raza, Shahid Malang, Laila Khan and others mesmerised the visitors with their melodious voices.