The Shandur Polo Festival: A Cultural Heritage Under Threat
In a surprising move, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has postponed the highly anticipated Shandur polo festival, much to the dismay of the Gilgit-Baltistan administration. The three-day event, set to kick off tomorrow, has been a symbol of cultural heritage and friendship between the two regions.
Deputy Commissioner of Ghizer, Habibur Rehman, expressed deep disappointment over the unilateral decision made by the KP government, highlighting the lack of consultation between the administrations. The festival, held at the world’s highest polo ground in Shandur, has been a joint effort between Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for several years.
The postponement not only disrupts the carefully laid-out plans but also disappoints thousands of fans eagerly awaiting the freestyle matches between Gilgit and Chitral. This decision threatens to waste resources and cause inconvenience, underscoring the importance of collaboration and communication in preserving cultural traditions.
As the future of the festival hangs in the balance, it serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between tradition and modernity, cooperation and autonomy.
Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2024