HARIPUR: The first `Ghazi Gala` was held on Wednesday with the objective to `elevate the profile of the tehsil`s oranges and highlight their unique taste and quality.

The daylong event was jointly organised by the agriculture department, University of Haripur and district administration.

Former provincial minister and PTI leader Yousuf Ayub Khan and MPA Malik Adeel Iqbal inaugurated the gala, which was attended by University of Haripur Vice Chancellor Prof Shafigur Rehman, deputy commissioner Shauzab Abbas, university students, farmers and eco-tourists from different parts of the country.

The organisers said the event served as a platform to showcase the local citrus variety, empower the local farming community, and catalyse sustainable economic growth in the region.

They also said the event brought together a confluence of stakeholders, showcasing 48 diverse stalls epitomising the best of agriculture, innovation, and community enterprise, exceptional quality and tasteof Ghazi`s oranges, cementing their place as a hallmark of the district`s agricultural legacy.

Some leading private companies highlighted cuttingedge agricultural products and technologies, while banks offeredfinancialsolutionsand support tailored for farmers.

Also, the government departments displayed modern initiatives aimed at modernising and empowering the agricultural sector. The University of Haripur provided academic and technical insights into sustainable farming practices.

DC Shauzab Abbas told reporters that the event, which was the first of its kind in the area, hadlaid the groundwork for increased recognition of Ghazi`s citrus on a national scale.

He said the Ghazi Gala also served as a testament to the power of public-private partnerships in driving innovation and growth.

The DC said participation of private companies, banks and academic institutions demonstrated a collective commitment to uplifting the region`s agricultural sector and its people. Correspondent