TIMERGARA: A five-day second youth peace summit arranged by the Lower Dir youth affairs department started here on Thursday.

Deputy commissioner Saadat Hassan inaugurated the event during a function held at the district assembly hall, Balambat.

He welcomed the youth and cultural delegations from parts of Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and GilgitBaltistan. Officials of the youth affairs department also attended the function despite heavy rain.

The youth delegations took keen interest in sharing their experiences.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Hassan said the students and youth were the asset of any nation and progress of any country depended on its youth force. He said that over 50 per cent of Pakistan`s population comprised of youth between 16 to 30 years of age. He said that the first step for the youth was to get quality education.

District youth officer Izharuddin said the delegates would visit the local archaeological sites, Dir museum, Malam Jabba tourist spot and snow-covered Shahi Top as part of the programme.-Correspondent