#RediscoverKP

Posted October 11th, 2016 at 8:38 pm (UTC+0)
3 comments

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#RediscoverKP #GoZest Initiative aims at bringing tourism back to Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and changing the negative stereotypes associated with the province and its people.

 

A group of young men and women who were sick of being synonymous with negative connotations, took it upon themselves to change the perception of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and Pashtuns. Under the banner of #GoZest, these youngsters invited the rest of Pakistan to #RediscoverKP. Traditionally known as “the land of hospitality”, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa is now commonly associated with extremism, terrorism, insecurity, and intolerance. Pakistan, and in particular Khyber Pukhtunkhwa is perceived as one of the most dangerous places in the world, adversely affecting the tourism industry in the region. The #GoZest Initiative aims at bringing tourism back to KP, and changing the negative stereotypes associated with the province and its people.

#GoZest

GOZEST was Pakistan’s very first 5-day cultural retreat. The event attracted more one hundred and seventy participants ranging from ages 20 to 30 from all over Pakistan. GoZest gave participants a taste of Pashtun hospitality and allowed them to experience the hidden beauty of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. Partakers in the excursions viewed five different scenic areas within Abbottabad District including Naththia Gali, Khanaspur, Donga Gali, Bara Gali, and Ayubia.

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Participants explored Naththia Gali, Khanaspur, Donga Gali, Bara Gali, and Ayubia

Apart from daily excursions, participants took part in interactive sessions, question/answer panel discussions, and networking activities. Because the event attracted leading young personalities from the world of business development, politics, media, civil society, and academia participants were provided with a platform to discuss national challenges towards democracy, education, and peace. Overall the experience enabled inter-cultural dialogue and promoted national integrity. Participants left with a unified vision of peace and harmony for Pakistan and a positive impression of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa.

Day 1: Arrival Day

The opening ceremony of #GoZest was held in Abbottabad with British-Pakistani journalist and film producer Reham Khan as the Chief Guest. After a series of motivational speeches by guest speakers and event coordinators, participants were registered and assigned to their hotel rooms in Nathiagali.

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“It is up to the youth of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, to change the image of their province. No one else will do it for you.” –Reham Khan

 

 

 

Day 2: Promoting Tourism to #RediscoverKP: 

Delegates were divided into groups of 15 with a designated guide as they embarked a series of activities which included a friendly cricket match at the historic Khanaspur Cricket Ground located in Ayubia. The cricket ground is at an altitude of about 2250 meters (7500 feet) above sea level. Next the participants trekked the 4km Pipeline from Ayubia to Donga Gali. Participants took chair lifts to Ayubia National Park, where they planted 1500 plants donated by the Galiyath Development Authority as #gogreen initiative.

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Khanaspur Cricket Ground located in Ayubia. The cricket ground is at an altitude of about 2250 meters (7500 feet) above sea level.

 Day 3: Cultural Exchange:

The third day involved a visit from young political activist Sardar Sami from Azad Jammu Kashmir and Senator Javed Abbassi of Murree. The day progressed with a visit to Lalazar Safari Park located on Lalazar mountaintop in Nathiagali.

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Sardar Sami of Azad Jammu Kashmir a addresses #GoZest participants. 

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Senator Javed Abbassi of Murree speaks to #GoZest participants about the need for youth to partake in the Democratic system. 

That evening guests participated in a celebration of cultural exchange. Participants were encouraged to wear their traditional ethnic dress and introduce the group to their respective cultures via mini-presentations.  Meanwhile, the hosts of #GoZest entertained the participants with traditional food, music and entertainment of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Province. Pashtun folk singer Fayaz Kheshgi wooed crowds with his patriotic tunes.

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The hosts of #GoZest entertained participants with traditional food, music and entertainment of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Province. 

 

 

Day 4: Exploring Khyber Pukhtunkhwa:

Day four of #GoZest2016 began with in interactive dialogue amongst participants themed, “peace and harmony”. This was followed by a hiking excursion to Mushkpuri Trek. Mushkpuri Top is a 4 kilometers (2.5 mile) trek located 9,400 feet above sea level in Nathiagali, Abottabad. Once participants reached the magnificent hilltop, they took part in an interactive training session conducted by renowned psychologist and a life coach Ibrahim Siawash. The evening ended with musical entertainment.

 

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Mushkpuri Top is a 4 kilometers (2.5 mile) trek located 9,400 feet above sea level in Nathiagali, Abottabad.

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Nazia Parveen-FATA’s first female athlete with fellow participants at #GoZest2016

Day 5: #GoHome:

The closing included keynote speeches by the Guests of Honor including government officials. Final thoughts on how the young generation of Pakistan can contribute to promoting peace and harmony in the country through promoting tourism and culture. Guests were presented with certificates of honor and shield awards for their participation and valuable contribution to #GoZest.

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The closing ceremony was conducted at the Abbottabad Press Club. Guests of Honor included; Shamun Yar Khan Abbasi, Omer Sher Khan, Shahzeb Anwer Hazarywal, Asad Javed Khan, Sardar Shafiq, Arshad Hussain (Director Youth Affairs KP),  Kashif Rehman Khalil (SPO) and Abid Atozai (PYA).

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“It is the younger generation’s responsibility to change the negative perception of Pashtuns and their land. Promoting tourism will not only help promote the image of KP but also boost the economy, and employment sectors.  By promoting tourism, #RediscoverKP is trying to break the link that is often automatically associated between Pashtuns and terrorism.”-Abid Atozai

Trends and Impact:

#Gozest was an extremely successful event and took to social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat) like wildfire. #RediscoverKP and  #GoZest reached more than 30 million people on Twitter and Facebook. In fact these hashtags reached first position on Twitter’s “Pakistan trends panel”.

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Written by Niala Mohammad 

Photos courtesy of #GoZest 

3 responses to “#RediscoverKP”

  1. irshad ahmad says:

    Provincial Youth Assembly is one of the symbolic parliment of Pakistan whos working for youth and For redescovering kp and workibg departements image to the world…

  2. Ali Afridi says:

    Great to see pashtun youth in Action.

  3. Nazia says:

    thank you VOA and GOZest

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