Indus Food festival concludes

PESHAWAR: The three days national Indus Food Festival arranged at Swabi Interchange Motorway on Indus River under aegis of Sarhad Tourism Corporation concluded here on Sunday wherein special stalls were setup that attracted people from across the country.

Khyber Pakthunkhwa Sports, Archaeology and Tourism Minister, Syed Aqil Shah was the chief guest at the closing ceremony of Indus Food Festival.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said terrorism and militancy have badly affected tourism sector in the province and the government was making hectic efforts to restore the confidence of tourists by organizing different programmes to revive this important sector keeping in view its rich role in national economy.

"Pakhtoons are peaceful people and believe in brotherhood. We have tried our best to provide a pleasant and healthy environment to tourists and encourage them to invest in this important sector" he remarked. In last couple of years, he said, the people of the province especially of Swat had passed through a difficult time due to terrorism
and militancy.

However, due to government's successful action and timely decisions, he said writ of the government was re-established in Swat and other
restive areas of KP and tourism are being promoted there.

He said sports and tourism are one of the best tools to defeat terrorism.

The Minister said all the departments of his ministry have accelerated efforts in their respective fields for strengthening our youth physically, educationally and mentally. He appreciated efforts of Sayd Jamaludin Shah, Provincial Secretary Tourism and Muhammad Ali Syed General Manager Tourism Corporation for holding such an important festival.

Syed Aqil Shah said such activities are sign of life and government will always promote and arrange such healthy activities for people of KP.

The Minister later, distributed prizes among participants for best decorator of the stall and for cooking best traditional foods. (APP)