Two-day Tourism, Sports & Family Festival pulls crowds on the inaugural day
2026-01-31 - 19:56
Under a winter sun that felt unusually festive, Islamabad woke up on Saturday to a spectacle it had never quite seen before. By mid-morning, the wide lawns of the Jinnah Sports Complex had transformed into a living carnival as Pakistan’s mega Tourism, Sports & Family Festival kicked off, drawing families, children, athletes and thrill-seekers from across the twin cities. Laughter, music and the hum of excitement floated in the air, setting the tone for what many visitors called a “one-stop celebration of Pakistan.” Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Tourism, Sardar Yasir Ilyas welcomed the guests and the general public. The overwhelming presence shows how much people love excitement and adventure in their lives. Here you will find all the colours and cultures representing various regions of Pakistan, said Sardar Yasir. The festival he said marked a major step toward reviving and mainstreaming the country’s tourism sector after years of neglect. Sardar Yasir Ilyas said the mega festival would open a new chapter for tourism in Pakistan and would later be replicated in other provinces. He termed the event a first-of-its-kind initiative in the federal capital, designed as a fully family-friendly festival with activities for children, youth and tourists from all walks of life and urged the people to revisit on the second and the last day of the mega festival also i.e. Feb 1 (today). He said the government was introducing innovation in the tourism sector, adding that youth-oriented training courses were being launched to create skilled human resources. “Pakistan is a peaceful and hospitable country, and our nation is globally known for its unmatched tradition of hospitality,” he said. For the first time, so many attractions had been stitched together at a single venue that visitors barely knew where to begin. Children tugged at their parents’ hands, torn between colorful stalls and adrenaline-pumping rides, while sports enthusiasts scanned the grounds for their next challenge. More than 200 stalls lined the complex, each telling a story of Pakistan’s cultural richness. Handicrafts, gemstones and jewelry sparkled under bright canopies, while dedicated sections represented all four provinces, along with Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. A few steps could take a visitor from the earthy hues of Sindhi ajrak to the intricate embroidery of Balochistan, making the festival feel like a joyful walk across the country. Adventure lovers, meanwhile, looked skyward. Hot air balloons rose gently above the grounds, offering breathtaking views of Islamabad, while paragliders soared in from the Margalla Hills, touching down to cheers from the crowd. The thrill continued on the ground with rock climbing walls, zip-lining tracks and a buzzing paintball arena that echoed with friendly battle cries. Traditional equestrian sports added a cultural flair, with tent pegging competitions also captivating audiences at the satellite venue in Fatima Jinnah Park. Sports took center stage with a marathon that drew runners of all ages, lured by both the spirit of competition and a prize of Rs. 100,000. Nearby, fitness enthusiasts gathered at a wellness pavilion, balancing the day’s indulgences with mindful moments of health and relaxation.