ISLAMABAD, July 15 (ABC): The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved a Rs2 billion tourism and cultural heritage project to develop and maintain 12 polo grounds in Upper and Lower Chitral, including the historic Shandur Polo Ground.
According to an official document available with Wealth Pakistan, the project aims to preserve Chitral’s traditional polo culture, promote sports tourism and create new income opportunities for local communities.
Project to strengthen sports tourism
The development of 12 polo grounds is the largest tourism-related project planned for Chitral under the scheme.
The government expects the initiative to preserve one of the region’s most important cultural traditions while attracting more domestic and international tourists.
Shandur Polo Festival remains key attraction
The Shandur Polo Festival continues to be one of Chitral’s biggest tourism events.
Authorities organise the festival at Shandur Top in collaboration with Chitral Scouts, the district administration, the police and the Gilgit-Baltistan government.
Every year, the festival generates millions of rupees for local communities through transport, accommodation, food services, temporary stalls and other tourism-related businesses.
Unlike formal club polo, traditional Chitrali polo is faster, more physical and closely linked with local festivals and community life.
Several cultural festivals included
The project document also highlights several cultural and tourism festivals across Chitral.
These include the Shandur Polo Festival, the Pre-Shandur Polo Tournament, the Qaqhlasht Festival, the Broghil Festival, the Khut Festival, the Chilam Joshi Festival, the Uchal Summer Festival and the Choimus Winter Festival.
These events play an important role in promoting Chitral’s culture and attracting visitors throughout the year.
Additional tourism projects planned
Besides the polo grounds project, the government has planned several other tourism initiatives.
These include a Tourist Facilitation and Rest Area at Booni in Upper Chitral, tourist picnic spots at Garam Chashma in Lower Chitral and Sorlaspur in Upper Chitral, and camping pod villages at Bumburait, Sorlaspur and Yarkhun Lasht.
The projects aim to improve visitor facilities and encourage longer tourist stays.
Roads and home-stay programme
The document also includes several infrastructure projects to improve access to tourist destinations.
These include the construction of a 17.1-kilometre road costing Rs1.783 billion. In addition, the Ayun-Bumburait and Zainey Pass roads have been recommended for inclusion in future Annual Development Programme (ADP) schemes.
The government has also launched the Rs300 million Mezban (Host) Tourism Programme in Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Lower Dir and Mansehra.
The programme will support home-stay facilities by providing interest-free loans ranging from Rs1 million to Rs3 million.
Boost for local economy
According to the document, the development of new polo grounds and tourism facilities will strengthen Chitral’s tourism industry.
The initiative is expected to benefit polo players, transporters, hotel owners, shopkeepers and other small businesses while preserving the region’s unique cultural heritage.
