Snow festival to attract tourists to Swat valley

In a bid to boost tourism in the picturesque Swat valley, once a strong-hold of the Taliban, Pakistani military is organising a festival this week that will include various snow sports events.
The five-day 'snow festival' will start from March 12.
Speaking about the festival, the military said snow sports events like paragliding, hang gliding, tobogganing and aeromodelling have been arranged.
A music gala will also be organised incorporating the country's renowned singers and bands.
"The regularity in conduct of the festival, keen interest of tourists and enthusiasm of local populace proves to be an important milestone in conversion of the dream of permanent peace into a reality at Malakand Division," the military said in a statement.

The area was once a strong-hold of the Pakistani Taliban. The state-writ was re-established following a military operation in 2009.