The second Pakistan Tourism, Sports and Family Festival began on Friday at the Islamabad Sports Complex, offering visitors a range of adventure, recreational, and cultural activities.
On the opening day, major attractions included a heavy bike show, horse riding, paragliding, paramotoring, and hot air ballooning. Aftab-ur-Rehman Rana, the Managing Director of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), attended the event.
Cultural stalls from every province in Pakistan were set up to display the nation's heritage, lifestyles, handicrafts, and traditional cuisine. These stalls, which featured popular snacks and handmade products, drew significant attention. Women artisans also participated by displaying traditional crafts to highlight their role in preserving skills passed down through generations.
The festival attracted foreign tourists, diplomatic staff, and ambassadors from various countries.
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal told the media that Pakistan possesses immense tourism potential, noting that the hospitality of the people is a distinguishing feature of the country. He stated that the government is committed to promoting tourism and stressed the necessity of an effective strategy to utilize the country's natural beauty and resources. He also called for better coordination among stakeholders to promote both sports and tourism.
During the inaugural ceremony, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan spoke on the importance of cultural diplomacy, regional connectivity, and tourism promotion. He said that effective initiatives are required to showcase Pakistan’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and investment opportunities on an international level. He added that such efforts would help strengthen commercial ties, promote international tourism, and foster people-to-people contacts.
The festival is scheduled to run until November 8, featuring concerts, musical evenings, flying lanterns, and various sports competitions.
