Shandur Festival arrangements discussed

PESHAWAR, May 25, 2011: The annual Shandur Festival 2011 will be held in Chitral from July 7-9.

KPK Minister for Sports Syed Aqil Shah while chairing a meeting of the organizing committees made for managing and organizing the festival here on Wednesday directed the departments concerned to extend complete support to DCO Chitral Rehmatullah.

The meeting was also attended by Provincial Minister for Population Saleem Khan, the DCO Chitral, officials of the tourism, information departments, PIA, representative of the Commandant Chitral Scouts and President Chitral Polo Association Sikandarul Mulk.

District police and Chitral Scouts have been directed to make foolproof security arrangements and take all necessary steps for avoiding any untoward incident. Similarly, the Works and Services Department of Chitral has been directed to ensure maintenance of road from Chitral to Shandur. The Works and Services Department, Public Health Engineering Department Chitral and Town Municipal Officer Mastuj would repair and renovate galleries, toilets, ground walls, huts, stables and water supply system.

Moreover, the health department has been directed to provide all necessary health facilities during the festival days.

Similarly, all dispensaries, rural health centres, basic health units at THQ along the route from Chitral to Shandur will remain on high alert with proper sign and direction boards fixed on the road sides to provide timely healthcare to the visitors in case of any emergency.

Syed Aqil Shah said Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony while Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will be invited as chief guest on the final day.

He also nominated DCO Chitral as the focal person. He said a request would be made to PIA for special flights from both Islamabad and Peshawar to Chitral from July 5 to July 10 in order to facilitate the local as well as foreign tourists to see the thrilling polo event. He said along with hosting the polo matches a festival will also be organized whereas people would be facilitated to enjoy the thrilling moments.

It was also decided that a special enclosure would be set up for the spectators and guests from Gilgit-Baltistan. It was also decided to increase the prize money from Rs.75000 to Rs.0.1 million for the winner and from Rs.50,000 to Rs.75000 to runner-up while an increase of 15 percent has also been made in the B and C teams as well in order to facilitate the players of polo.

This year, a special entertainment area with the name of joy and wonder land would be set up for children. The representatives of Chitral Scouts assured the meeting that full security measures would be adopted on the occasion.--APP