Daily Times

UPPER DIR: A three-day horse race, first-ever in the history of the district of Upper Dir, concluded in the scenic and picturesque tourist spot, Jazz Banda, situated on peak of about 10,000 feet from sea level. The show was organized by Sarhad Rural Support Program (SRSP), non-government organization.

Beautiful and charming show of local music and folk dance was part of the competition at the prize distribution ceremony which doubled the pleasure of tourists as well as local spectators. A number of the tourists from all over Pakistan as well local people enjoyed the competition.

Tourists from Karachi, Mardan, Peshawar, Lower Dir and other areas came to enjoy the horse race competition.

A tourist, Raufi, said that he had come from Karachi along with family including women members of the family. He said that they had come after spending five hours on foot to reach Jazz Banda, adding they were feeling extremely tired but enjoyed this journey. He, however, said that after reaching Jazz Banda and watching its beauty and romantic sceneries, pleasant weather they had forgotten their pains and tiredness. And they were feeling better then and enjoying eye-catching scenes of the Jazz Banda.

He said that it was really amazing to enjoy music in the night in a romantic environment where someone set at fire in the month of September of which no one could imagine in Karachi and other areas.

“We find more beautiful place, the Jazz Banda, than we have heard about its beauty,” said a female standing with Raufi.

She said that Allah had made it a ‘Paradise’ on earth, adding it was really a treat to watch its natural forest where long and heighted trees were welcoming to visitors. The clean and clear cold running water into the valley was increasing its beauty. She said that more tourists might come there if government did pay attention toward it and make road to Jazz Banda.

Locals also expressed their happiness over horse race competition organized in Jazz Banda and said that they ride horses often in Jazz Banda however it was really amazing taking part in a competition. And they had enjoyed a lot the competition.

Jehanzab, the winner of the competition, said he was very nerves at the start of the race because of performing for the first time in front of large number of spectators. He was very happy to win the race at the end. A dozen of competitors took part in competition, he added.

Addressing the concluding ceremony, SRSP Monitoring and Evolution Officer, Fayyaz Ahmad said that the aim of the horse race competition was to provide entertainment to local people as well as to tourists. He appreciated the efforts of the Raja Taj Muhammad, local civil society activist, said that they had organised the competition on his request. He said that the SRSP would organise horse race event and other entertaining events like that if government support its organization.

It is worthy to mention here that Raja Taj Muhammad Khan, has been making efforts for years to promote and explore the Jazz Banda as a tourist spot and he made a guest house on his own expenditure to provide stay support to tourist that visit the Jazz Banda, besides he also established a mini museum.

Raja Taj said that it was his dream to promote Jazz Banda a real tourist spot where tourists come in large number and enjoy from its natural beauty. He said he was providing free stay to tourists in his guest house. However, government and tourism department should provide basic facilities and develop Jazz Banda a really tourist spot like Murree, Kumrat, Kalam, Malam Jaba and other places. And for that government had to make a road to Jazz Banda due to which most of tourists were avoiding to visit Jazz banda, Raja said.