Large crowds turned out on the second day of the Islamabad tourism festival, with tent pegging, paragliding and cycling drawing families to venues across the capital.
The three-day festival continued at F-9 Park and the Sports Complex, where a cycling race ran from the Pak-China Friendship Centre to Seventh Avenue. Traditional tent pegging competitions at F-9 Park drew some of the largest crowds, including many women and girls taking part.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar visited F-9 Park and watched the tent pegging. Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi also attended the festival.
Islamabad tourism festival fills F-9 Park
The second day brought a full programme of sport and entertainment, The Express Tribune reported. Cyclists raced through the city centre, paragliders flew above the venues, and young participants joined in activities of all kinds. Citizens attended with their families and, by all accounts, enjoyed the event.
Tent pegging, a traditional equestrian sport in which riders at full gallop pick up ground targets with a lance, was the centrepiece. Riders competed before large crowds at F-9 Park, and the participation of women and girls in the competitions drew particular attention from visitors.
Tarar said tent pegging was part of Pakistan’s traditional and cultural sporting identity. He said such games helped project the country’s soft image while connecting the younger generation with its culture. He added that the festival gave young people a chance to show their abilities, and that events of this kind offered residents healthy and positive recreation.
Abbasi said the Pakistan Armed Forces had rendered immense sacrifices, and that people were now able to live peacefully in the country because of them. He said Pakistan’s positive image was being highlighted across the world.
Citizens who watched the tent pegging said they had seen the sport from such close quarters for the first time. Nikolo, Shah Nawaz, Shahzaib and Reja described it as a sport of brave people and said they were extremely passionate about it. They said such competitions should be organised every year.
A festival with a wider purpose
The festival is one of several large public events drawing crowds in Pakistan this season. Karachi’s World Culture Festival opened on October 30, bringing performers and audiences together in the port city, while the Murree winter safety plan is ready for the tourist season in the hills.
Islamabad itself has been busy with public works and civic news this week. The Capital Development Authority has demolished 124 structures along the Islamabad Expressway as part of a road widening drive, and it plans to challenge a court order over the Bari Imam House.
The festival’s final day will close a weekend that has mixed sport, culture and family entertainment in the capital. For the riders, cyclists and paragliders, it has been a rare stage in front of a home crowd. For the visitors, it has been a chance to see a traditional sport up close, and to spend a day out in the city’s parks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Pakistan Tourism, Sports and Family Festival?
It is a three-day festival in Islamabad featuring tent pegging, paragliding, cycling and other sports and family entertainment, held at venues including F-9 Park and the Sports Complex.
Where did the cycling race take place?
The cycling race ran from the Pak-China Friendship Centre to Seventh Avenue, with enthusiastic participation from cyclists.
What is tent pegging?
Tent pegging is a traditional equestrian sport in which riders at full gallop pick up targets from the ground with a lance. Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar described it as part of Pakistan’s traditional sporting identity.
Who attended the festival?
Large crowds of citizens attended with their families. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi visited F-9 Park and watched the tent pegging competitions.
