Sardaryab Eid fair draws thousands despite summer heat in Pakistan

CHARSADDA: Despite summer heat, tens of thousands of visitors are flocking to the annual Eid fair at Sardaryab in northwestern Pakistan, where a decades-old riverside tradition comes alive with food, rides, and festivities.

The three-day Eid fair at Sardaryab is in full swing on the banks of the Kabul River. It is one of the largest and most vibrant fairs of its kind in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Sardaryab, normally a quiet yet scenic recreational spot in the Charsadda District, becomes the focal point of the region’s holiday celebrations. For three days during Eid, the riverbank transforms into a massive fair that continues a tradition spanning decades.

Dock for local fishermen

Geographically, Sardaryab holds unique significance. It sits at the point where the Kabul River merges with the Swat River. 

This confluence creates a vast waterfront that naturally offers a refreshing contrast to the sweltering heat of the surrounding urban and agricultural areas.

Historically, the location was far quieter than it is today. Famous for its fresh fish, it once served as a dock for local fishermen who harvested their catch from the merging waters. 

Popular weekend destination

Eventually, small makeshift huts began appearing along the river’s edge, serving freshly caught fish either deep-fried or grilled over coals. 

Over time, its reputation grew as entrepreneurs began opening proper riverside fish restaurants, turning it into a popular weekend destination for people across the province. 

Today, that commercial evolution has expanded into a full-scale holiday extravaganza. During Eid, the influx of people is overwhelming. 

Visitors travel from neighboring regions, including Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, and the tribal districts. Wazir Khan, a visitor traveling with friends, noted that the fair attracts people from far and wide. 

“The three-day Eid fair has started. People come from far away to visit this place. I came from Mohmand District myself,” he told Pakistan TV Digital.

Because of this massive regional draw, the infrastructure is pushed to its limits. Normally, Charsadda Road is adequate for regular traffic, but during the three days of Eid, congestion becomes severe. 

Lines of motorcycles and cars stretch for miles as families patiently make their way toward the waterfront.

Loud, colorful, and fast-paced

The atmosphere at the fair is loud, colorful, and fast-paced. To beat the summer heat, vendors set up stalls every few yards, selling cold drinks from large cauldrons filled with huge chunks of ice. 

Local street foods such as chapli kebab, tikka, and, of course, fried fish are available at nearly every corner. Many makeshift stalls also spring up around the fair, selling toys, sunglasses, stickers, souvenirs, temporary tattoos, and other assorted goods. 

Stallholders like Sadiq Khan, who has been visiting the fair for the past 50 years, temporarily set up shops selling watches, keychains, and other knickknacks, relying on the holiday rush for their livelihood. 

“I’ve been coming here since I was 20 years old. Now I’m 72,” he said, showcasing how integral the fair is to the local economy.

Boat and amusement rides

For entertainment, crowds gravitate toward hundreds of traditional wooden boat rides that crisscross the wide river confluence in a myriad of pastel colors. 

On land, amusement rides — including three massive, creaking Ferris wheels — tower over the crowds, creating a classic fair atmosphere. 

Families also flock to the numerous pirate ship rides and merry-go-rounds.

Thousands of daily visitors

The scale of the modern festival is immense. According to Police Sub-Inspector Bilal Khan, the single-day turnout can easily reach between 30,000 and 40,000 people. 

Managing a crowd of this magnitude requires a highly coordinated, multi-agency security operation.

“We have the local police department, additional personnel from other regions, Civil Defense, Rescue 1122 personnel, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and Special Branch officers to maintain law and order and manage the heavy flow of people,” said Khan, adding that interagency cooperation is essential for an event of this scale.

Despite the challenges, the festival remains peaceful, lively, and cooperative. It has become an important part of the local identity. 

For elders in the community, the fair serves as a reminder of simpler times that has successfully endured into the modern era, while for younger people, it is an excuse to let loose and have fun. 

Despite the high temperatures this year, the mood remains festive and joyous as crowds continue to flock to Sardaryab.