Gilgit: Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman has negated the media reports in which it had been said that the GB government had decided to boycott the famed Shandur Polo Festival. He said that Gilgit-Batlistan will participate in the mega event with zeal and zest. Hafeez said this while talking to a delegation from Ghizer led by MLA Fida Khan.
The Chief Minister has further added that, in line with the wishes of Commander FCNA and Commander 10 Corps, the Shandur festival will be managed by the Frontier Constabulary (FC) this year. He said that committees from the two neighboring provinces will meet with the IGFC after Eid to discuss the details further.
There has been misunderstanding on the property and polo festival of Shandur among certain circles in Gilgit Baltistan. Some elements are trying to breach centuries old traditions and rules by creating baseless rumors. These elements in GB are using the newly coined excuse of having their own shandur festival for promoting tourism to farther their real agenda. In case they are sincere to Polo and tourism they should continue the festival on the age-old pattern with Chitral side playing host and Gilgit side being the guest. Regarding the property of Shandur a factually correct (with evidecne & documents) ‘Haqaiq Nama’ was issued recently by the people of Laspur which is a must read for anyone who wants to know the truth and the historical context instead of rhetoric. The booklet called, Shandur & Kukush langar – Haqaiq Nama can be accessed through the following links.
https://drive.google.com/open…
https://www.scribd.com/…/Shandur-aur-Kukush-Langar…
Regards:
Farooq Faizi – Chitral