PESHAWAR: Speakers at a peace festival here the other day stressed that progress and development were not possible without restoration of peace and tranquility in the country.

The festival `Citizens Action for Peace and Development` was organised by South Asia Partnership of Pakistan (SAPP) at a local hotel here.

Those who spoke on the occasion included poet Abaseen Yousafzai, Professor Sarfaraz of Area Study Centre and SAPP`s head for KP and Fata Sikander Zaman, while a large number of peace lovers from Khyber, Bajaur, Kurram Agencies, Upper Dir and Chitral participated in the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Yousafzai lamented that blood of innocent people was being shed on Pakhtuns` soil as the other nations remained a silent spectator to the violence in the region. He added that Pashtuns had rich culture and traditions, and called for promoting soft image of the province to the world.

Professor Sarfaraz said the people of tribal regions had been deliberately kept backward and deprived of human rights for no fault of theirs. He said if the government was sincere to restore durable peace to the region then it would have to ensure provision of equal rights to the people of tribal and settied areas.

Mr Sarfaraz said that the displaced people of Fata were facing lack of basic facilities in camps in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and urged the government to take their issues seriously. He said the people of Fata were in dire need of quality healthcare and education facilities.

On the occasion, various stalls of handicrafts, claypots, and pottery were set up, mainly by the people belonging to tribal regions.

The festival was followed by a Pashto mushaira wherein poets entertained the audience.