Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday that traditional sports such as tent pegging reflect Pakistan’s cultural identity and soft image while attracting global attention. Speaking at the tent pegging competitions held at F-9 Park during the Pakistan Tourism, Sports and Family Festival in Islamabad, the minister highlighted the active participation of women and girls in the sport.
Flanked by Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Tourism Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Tarar told the media that extensive efforts are underway across the country to promote sports, tourism and culture. He praised the tent pegging clubs and participants, thanking Sardar Yasir Ilyas for organizing the festival, which provides residents of Islamabad and surrounding areas with opportunities to engage in healthy recreational activities.
The minister noted that the government aims to arrange more events of this nature under the guidance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and through the efforts of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Describing tent pegging as a traditional symbol connecting the younger generation with its heritage, Tarar emphasized that Pakistani athletes excel in numerous fields including horse riding.
He added that female competitors serve as a guiding light and send a positive message to the international community, demonstrating that Pakistanis are second to none in various competitive fields. The presence of women and girls in the equestrian arena underscores the shifting landscape of national sports.
In addition to equestrian events, the festival features paragliding, hot air balloons and family stalls at Jinnah Stadium. Tarar urged the residents of Islamabad to visit the venue to enjoy the sports, food, music and cultural displays, noting that the administration played a vital role in ensuring the successful execution of the festival.
Addressing broader sporting developments, the minister pointed out that Pakistan has successfully hosted international cricket fixtures including matches involving England and Sri Lanka in a tri-nation series. He also mentioned the launch of a new hockey league, a squash championship, and youth talent hunt programs as part of an unprecedented surge in sporting activities over the past two and a half years.
Tarar emphasized that the current administration is committed to boosting economic activity and improving the nation's soft image through tourism and major sporting events. He noted that upcoming international gatherings, including meetings of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Economic Cooperation Organization, will further elevate the country's profile.
The minister also highlighted cultural and digital outreach, pointing out that Norwegian DJ Alan Walker recently visited Pakistan and produced promotional content in Lahore that garnered over twenty million views. Such international collaborations, he suggested, help showcase the country's vibrant artistic and cultural potential to a global audience.
Concluding his remarks, Tarar encouraged continued patronage of domestic artists, musicians, and traditional sports practitioners, suggesting that handicrafts and indigenous sports like tent pegging could eventually become part of broader cultural exports. The festival continues through the weekend with various family-oriented attractions in the capital.
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