Five-day spring festival begins in Lakki Marwat

LAKKI MARWAT: The five-day celebrations of first spring festival in the history of Lakki Marwat district kicked off at Serai Gambila town with colourful events. Bannu division commissioner Adil Saddiq, being the chief guest, inaugurated the festival jointly organised by the district administration and local government.

Local residents and people from the adjoining districts attended the opening ceremony where colourful balloons were released and guests warmly welcomed by throwing rose petals on them.

Traditional drumming and pipe music added to amusement of thousands of participants. The organisers also displayed colourful banners in and around the venue of the festival and at busy places across the district to ensure mass participation. Deputy Commissioner Jehangir Azam Wazir, District Nazim Iqbal Hussain advocate, Naib Nazim Arab Khan, assistant commissioners Eid Nawaz Sherani and Nauman Ali Shah and district sports officer Shafqatullah Khan were also in attendance.

On the occasion, local horse riders and those from Dera Ismail Khan, Karak and other districts took part in tent pegging competition. The winner team celebrated the victory with a magical horse dance which added to the charm of festival and jubilation of participants.

The players, affiliated with local clubs, also exhibited their karate and gymnastics skills and performed stunts of jumping through a fire ring. The commissioner and deputy commissioner distributed cash prizes and trophies among players. The members of tent pegging winning team also received a bike from the chief guest.

Adil Saddiq said that spring festival had been organised on the special directives of the chief minister to provide locals, especially youths, amusement, recreation and entertainment.

The deputy commissioner said that organising the spring festival was aimed to divert attention of youths towards sports grounds and promote peace and harmony through games in the district.