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Tourists throng Scenic valley of ‘Kalash’ to enjoy week-long Choimus festival

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Kalash

ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 (APP): The annual week-long historic Kalash tribe’s colorful ‘Choimus festival has formally begun to attract a large number of tourists from all corners of the country and abroad, where various unique cultural festivals will be part of the main carnival, including the slaughter of sacrificial goats, traditional dance, and making effigies of different animals with wheat flour.

“Hugo crowds of tourists are visiting the scenic valley to enjoy the cultural festival of Kalash, which will continue until December 22,” the PTV news channel reported.

“Choimus Festival, also known as Chitirmas Festival, is celebrated in winter every year and holds great importance among the Kalasha people. It is celebrated with a colorful swirl of traditional dances, foods, and prayer chants to the Balomain spirit by the Kalasha tribe.”

The locals perform rituals for purification during the festival at the dawn of the New Year, said a local.

“The Choimus Kalash festival is a must-attend event for anyone interested in culture, which offers a unique opportunity to learn about Pakistani culture and make lifelong memories,” said a tourist.

“It provides a meaningful experience by letting guests observe the colorful customs of the Kalash people as they joyfully and respectfully mark the winter solstice,” said a foreign tourist.

“This colorful event is attracting locals and travelers, who are enjoying plenty of activities around a large bonfire,” said another local tourist.

ECP resumes DROs, ROs training ahead of General Elections

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ECP

ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 (APP): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has resumed nationwide training for District Returning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs), with a focus on election procedures, rules, and other administrative aspects.

An ECP spokesperson stated that the training, led by senior commission officers, will conclude for ROs on Monday (December 18) and for DROs on Tuesday (December 19).

The extensive training for 144 District Returning Officers (DROs) and 859 Returning Officers (ROs) commenced on December 13 but was initially paused due to Lahore High Court orders prompted by a petition from PTI objecting to selecting election supervisory staff from the executive.

However, it later resumed following orders from the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Northern areas see winter tourism boom: report

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Northern areas

ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 (APP): Winter tourism got a high boom in Swat and other northern areas of the country, and snowfall in Malam Jabba and Kalam valleys drew a substantial number of tourists from across the country to enjoy snowball games and
skiing.

In winter, the scenic valleys transform into white wonderlands, offering tourists multiple opportunities for adventure coming from all across the country, according to a report aired by a private news channel.

Swat, Malam Jabba, Gabin Jabba, Miandam, Matiltan, Kalam, Utror, Gabral, Matiltan, Mahodand, and Loye Sar are some of the mountain resorts where tourists have been planning to spend their upcoming winter vacations, said a local in Swat.

“Today my dream came true after seeing my first snowfall in my favorite tourists’ destination of Swat, where the snow-covered valleys and mountain peaks attract visitors in droves these days,” said a tourist with family.

A local of Swat Valley advises tourists that they should come fully equipped with proper shoes and jackets if they plan on visiting the valley during the winter.

“We had heard about the enchanting beauty of Malam Jabba from our friends. We find it to be different from other snow resorts,” said a tourist who came from Punjab.

“The Majestic Valley of Swat is my favorite winter destination due to its diverse features, easy accessibility, pollution-free cool weather, and trout fish amid snowfall,” said a female tourist.

“It is very cold here at Kalam, but I cannot simply keep myself away from the falling snow, said a foreign tourist, adding, This is amazing.”.

“Swat is a hundred times better than what we had imagined; it is like we have come to heaven, and the people here are amazing; they are very cooperative also,” a tourist group added.

“The winter school holidays have become a good window for tourist arrivals. The feedback we have gotten from our guests makes us hopeful for a better winter  season, PTDC officials claimed.

“Kalam is a perfect spot for adventure, and authorities must focus on tapping its potential in order to promote winter tourism,” another foreign tourist commented.

7th CNS open shooting championship commences at Karachi

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7th CNS open shooting

KARACHI, Dec 17 (APP): The Opening Ceremony of 7th CNS Open Shooting Championship 2023 held at Pakistan Navy Shooting Range, Karachi.

Commander Karachi Rear Admiral Muhammad Saleem graced the event as chief guest.

“About 400 shooters from Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, FRA, SRA, PRA, BRA, HEC, WAPDA, Pakistan Police, SSU, RSS Club, KGSSR Club, and PNSR Members Club are participating in the competition,” a Pakistan Navy news release said.

During the Championship, 24 events will be contested in Pistol, Rifle and Shotgun categories. Event matches are being contested under the umbrella of National Rifle Association of Pakistan (NAP) as per International Sports Shooting Federation (ISSF) latest rules and regulations.

Four events of Big Bore Pistol, 50M and 0.22 Open Sight Categories are included in schedule of events as festival matches. Furthermore, apart from 10 events in men category, 05 events for women and 04 for youth in Pistol and Rifle categories are also part of Championship.

Labourers busy in renovation work at Azadi Chowk

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Labourers busy in renovation work at Azadi Chowk
APP06-171223 SARGODHA: December 17 - Labourers busy in renovation work at Azadi Chowk. APP/HSD/TZD
Labourers busy in renovation work at Azadi Chowk
APP06-171223
SARGODHA

A group of youngsters playing cricket in the street

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A group of youngsters playing cricket in the street
APP07-171223 SARGODHA: December 17 – A group of youngsters playing cricket in the street. APP/HSD/TZD
A group of youngsters playing cricket in the street
APP07-171223
SARGODHA

Vendors displaying country hens to attract the customers near Dolat Gate Chowk

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Vendors displaying country hens to attract the customers near Dolat Gate Chowk
APP08-171223 MULTAN: December 17 - Vendors displaying country hens to attract the customers near Dolat Gate Chowk. APP/SFD/TZD
Vendors displaying country hens to attract the customers near Dolat Gate Chowk
APP08-171223
MULTAN

Vendors displaying and selling second-hand warm clothes to attract the customers at Landa Bazaar

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Vendors displaying and selling second-hand warm clothes to attract the customers at Landa Bazaar
APP09-171223 MULTAN: December 17 - Vendors displaying and selling second-hand warm clothes to attract the customers at Landa Bazaar. APP/SFD/TZD
Vendors displaying and selling second-hand warm clothes to attract the customers at Landa Bazaar
APP09-171223
MULTAN

Children enjoying on swings and trampoline in a local park

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Children enjoying on swings and trampoline in a local park
APP10-171223 MULTAN: December 17 - Children enjoying on swings and trampoline in a local park. APP/SFD/TZD
Children enjoying on swings and trampoline in a local park
APP10-171223
MULTAN

PAC organized literary references in memory of Syeda Farrukh Gillani

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RAWALPINDI, Dec 17 (APP):Punjab Arts Council  (PAC) in collaboration with the literary organizations “Daira” and “Jhang Chinot Officers Association” organized a National Literary Reference to pay tribute to prominent intellectual and educationist Professor Syeda Farrukh Zahra Gilani.
The reference was presided over by the Chairman of the Literary Organization Dr. Ghazanfar Mehdi.
In his address, Ghazandar Mehdi said that Professor Zahra Gilani’s poetry was about the love of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW), Ahl al-Bayt and patriotism.
She was an eminent poet and scholar and demanded the government to name an important highway in Jhang city after Farrukh Zehra Gilani.
Ehsan Kabaria on the occasion said that the literary organization was honored to organize the launch of her five books
of poetry.
The poet chose poetry to express her emotions, in which she became immortal.
Director of Arts Council Waqar Ahmed thanked the participants of the event.
Rai Riaz Hussain, Mrs Madiha Hussain Abdi, Ammar Yasir, Agha Waqar Haider, Sajjad Hussain Qadri and Akhlaq Zaidi from the National Literary Reference gave references to the personality and literary efforts of Farrukh Zahra.
Syed Saqib Hussain Gilani, the son of the deceased, said that Professor Farrukh Zahra Gilani was an active and connected woman intellectual.
A large number of people from twin cities participated in the reference.