Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) and China Window will jointly organize a Dragon Boat Festival in District Charsadda as part of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations.
The festival, scheduled to be held at Sardaryab on the Kabul River near Peshawar, will introduce one of China’s most recognized cultural traditions to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Organizers say the event aims to strengthen cultural ties between the people of Pakistan and China while promoting tourism and cross-cultural engagement in the province.
The decision was made during a meeting in Peshawar chaired by Director Culture and Tourism Halima Iqbal, with China Window Administrator Amjad Aziz Malik representing the organization.
According to officials, the Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese event featuring boat races in which teams compete using paddles, emphasizing coordination, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Organizers said this will be the first time the festival is held in the region on the Kabul River.
Preparations underway
Amjad Aziz Malik said consultations have been held with relevant institutions to ensure security and operational arrangements for participants and visitors. He said preparations for the event are in the final stages and efforts are underway to ensure its smooth conduct.
Officials noted that the festival is intended to provide residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa an opportunity to participate in celebrations associated with Chinese culture while reinforcing the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
Focus on tourism and cultural exchange
Halima Iqbal said the provincial Culture and Tourism Department remains committed to promoting tourism and showcasing the cultural heritage of both Pakistan and China. She said KPCTA will work in collaboration with China Window to organize the event and facilitate public participation.
The festival forms part of broader activities being held to commemorate 75 years of Pakistan-China relations and is expected to bring together cultural, tourism, and community stakeholders from across the region.
Officials said the event is intended to highlight cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges while projecting a message of friendship and international collaboration from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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