A festival marking return of peace to Swat valley continued in Mingora, a similar event got under way in Kalam with a car rally on Sunday. Kalam Festival is starting from July 11, 2010 as Swat peace Mela continued with active participation of visitors from all over the country. Swat Hotels Association and Pakistan Army has arranged the peace festivals in collaboration with the Provincial Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Authority (PaRRSA) to celebrate restoration of peace and promote tourism that suffered a lot during the almost three years of militancy.
Along all major roads in the valley, especially along those leading to the festival venues, the organisers set up counters to assist tourists from within and outside the valley.
Kalam festival will continue till July 18 along with festive activities in other parts of Swat valley like Mingora Grassy Ground, Kanju, Fizzagat and Marghuzar. The festival has succeeded to a great extent in attracting tourists, as hotel occupancy in Mingora, Fizzagat, etc remained 20 to 25 percent while in Kalam it is up to 40 percent
In collaboration with the district government of Swat and provincial disaster management authority, the army has organised the festival to help revive tourism in the once conflict-hit area.
The eight-day festival in Kalam would have musical night, Basant, industrial and cultural exhibition, peace rally, mushaira, puppet show, Sufi dance, car rally, cricket and volleyball tournaments and paragliding. The government and the people of Swat believe it will go a long way in reviving tourism in Swat.
The security in Swat has improved alot. The military has reduced the number of checkpoints on the main road to Kalam from nearly two dozens to only one at Charbagh. The visitors are also required to register before entering Kalam.
Pictures of SWAT, A beautiful place on earth:
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