PESHAWAR: The Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) is holding a three-day Khanpur water sports regatta in Khanpur Lake from today (Friday).

The event comprises boating activities, traditional dances, stalls of food and traditional handicrafts, and fun land for children. The event to continue till Feb 23 will also include fireworks.

TCKP managing director Mushtaq Ahmad said that this would be the fifth festival in Khanpur held by them. Starting in 2008 the festival has become one of the most liked events on the calendar.

He said that the aim of holding such events was to create awareness about the region and its rich resources.

The lake is situated some 50 kilometres northwest of Islamabad on Taxila-Haripur road. Khanpur Lake is an important source of water in the region for both consumption and irrigation purposes in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It has also become a popular tourist destination where families and individuals can enjoy boating and take extended walks along the lakeshore.