Chitral: Women asked to stay away from Qaqlasht festival

CHITRAL: Tehsil Nazim Mastuj Maulana Muhammad Yousuf, here on Monday said women would not be allowed to participate in any capacity in the four-day Qaqlasht festival starting on April 20.

Speaking at a news conference along with Mr Abdullah, the festival’s executive committee member, Maulana Yousuf claimed that the people of Chitral had already welcomed the decision of banning women from the festival in order ‘to maintain Chitral’s Islamic environment, traditions and culture’.

He said letters had been sent to all women educational institutions, mosques and Jamat Khanas informing them about the ban on women participation in the festival. He said no woman would be allowed to witness the festival.

He also said that only local people should be allowed to take part in the festival as it was aimed at preserving and promoting the indigenous sports and traditions of Chitral and the participation of outsiders should be discouraged.

The festival is held in the Qaqlasht plateau located in upper Chitral every year.–Bashir Hussain/ChitralToday.Net