Gilgit: Preparations afoot for Shandur Festival
Gilgit, May 30: The Gilgit-Baltistan government and administration have started preparations for participating in the annual Shandur Festival, scheduled to be held from 20th to 22nd of June, 2014. The three-day event will feature polo matches between teams from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan. Cultural performances, stalls and exhibitions are also part of the mega annual festival held at the world’s highest polo ground, located between Chitral and the Ghizar district of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Shandur Festival attracts thousands of local, national and international tourists every year.
Today a meeting was held in this connection at the Chief Secretary’s office in which the new administrative head was briefed about preparations for the festival by the relevant departments.
The land of Shandur remains disputed between the peole of Phandar and Laspur. The dispute, in effect, also extends to Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, with both regions claiming legitimate ownership of the land.
Heavy continents of law enforcers, including police and paramilitary forces, are deputed at the Shandur Festival to ensure security. The security measures have intensifed during the last decade due to the threats posed by terrorists.
