Residents of Chitral threaten to boycott traditional Shandur festival
The residents of Upper Chitral, the newly-formed district, have threatened to boycott the upcoming traditional Shandur festival as the government has failed to fulfill the promise of development of road infrastructure which was causing life-threatening accidents.
The Shandur Polo Festival is an annual mega event held from July 7 to 9 at Laspur valley on Shandur Pass in Upper Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The residents of the area are not happy with the provincial and federal governments for their demand of construction of Booni to Shandur/Yarkhoon road has not yet been fulfilled. Ramshackle arteries lead to serious traffic accidents every so often.
The government has many a time announced to construct the roads, however no progress has been made as yet.
Addressing a meeting on Wednesday, the political activists of Chitral have called for a peaceful protest for their demand.
The festival has gained international fame and thousands of visitors and tourists from other areas and foreign countries come to watch the grand gala which features all-illustrious polo competition as a permanent game among others.
The traditional dances of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan are staged, work of local artisans are showcased, fireworks are displayed and paratroops of Special Services Group perform paragliding during the festival, which has been held annually since 1936.
