KOHAT: The first ever national cultural and winter food festival held in Kohat went a long way in promoting the soft image of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, besides creating opportunities for the entertainmentstarved inhabitants, according to the event organisers.

The two-day event, which concluded the other day, was jointly sponsored by the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited and Model Town, Kohat.

The media cell of PTI claimed that such events were being held to promote the soft image of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and also create opportunities for entertainment-starved inhabitants.

Local hoteliers had set up food stalls presenting varieties from fast food to karahai gosht and other local cuisine. There was also a separate section displaying a wide variety of women attires, winter garments from Punjab, clothing from Karachi and purses of Hyderabad.

The members of Karachi Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry had been especially invited to train the local women on various trades.

On the occasion, a former secretary general of KCCI said the women of the region had to rise to confront the challenges ahead after the completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which will pass through KP.

`We are here to inculcate a feeling among the women to become creators of opportunities, and to bring them on a par with women of other developed cities,` she stated.

She announced that they would open a women chamber of commerce and industry inKohat and act as a mentor to bring them into the field of entrepreneurship.

A special rabab playing show also delighted the people who danced to the melodious tunes.

Groups of people also presented famous `attanr` dance which kept the audience spellbound.

MPA Ziaullah Bangash, MNA Sheharyar Afridi, representatives of DAMAS, a private company, and regional coordinator of OGDCL Mushfiq Paracha, who patronised the festival, exchanged shields among themselves, andcomplemented the efforts in malcing the festival a success.

On the occasion, Ziaullah Bangash said another such programme would be organised soon.

However, the festival also drew some criticism from some quarters.

In a statement, JUI-F district secretary general Haji Jameel criticised the mix gathering of the people and accused the PTI of now spreading obscenity in KP after doing so in Islamabad.