China Window, the Chinese cultural centre in Peshawar, created a new chapter in Pakistan-China friendship by staging the Dragon Boat Festival for the first time on the banks of the Kabul River. The event brought Chinese culture and competitive sport together, drawing thousands of spectators to the riverfront and marking a historic debut for the Dragon Boat Festival in Pakistan.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police team and the Charsadda team were declared joint winners after closely contested races, while the Sports Writers Association team finished second and the Peshawar High Court team took third place. Prizes, trophies and medals were distributed at the end of the day, with cash awards presented to the winning crews.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Culture and Tourism Malik Adil Iqbal attended as the chief guest. Provincial ministers Fazal Shakoor and Akhtarullah Jan, Members of the Provincial Assembly, Deputy Commissioner Charsadda Azmatullah Wazir, Additional Deputy Commissioner Charsadda Rina Abbasi, officials of Rescue 1122 and Director Culture and Tourism Halima Iqbal were among the dignitaries who witnessed the races. The Federal Constabulary Band provided musical accompaniment while FC personnel performed a spirited Khattak Dance that enlivened the festival atmosphere.
More than 100 boat racers took part in the competitions, organised into multiple teams that thrilled the crowd with fast-paced racing and coordinated rowing. The participation of female rowers stood out as a notable feature of the day, with women competing in large numbers for the first time in a Pakistani boat race. Chinese guests were present and joined local spectators in appreciating the cultural exchange on display.
The district administration made comprehensive arrangements for security and participant safety, and the colourful boats, the beat of drums and the enthusiastic chants of the rowers kept the audience engaged throughout. The Dragon Boat Festival on the Kabul River showcased teamwork, endurance and cultural camaraderie, reinforcing bonds between communities and between Pakistan and China.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Malik Adil Iqbal said China Window has emerged as an important centre of Pakistan-China friendship in Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He noted that the Dragon Boat Festival not only projected a positive image of the province to China and the world but would also help attract tourists in the future, and he expressed confidence that the Dragon Boat Festival would become an annual event.
China Window Administrator Amjad Aziz Malik said the festival introduced an ancient Chinese cultural tradition to Pakistan and played a meaningful role in bringing people of the two countries closer. He paid tribute to the district administration for its support and confirmed plans to hold the Dragon Boat Festival regularly in the coming years.
