PHC seeks replies from govt for postponing Shandur Festival

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has sought replies from the KP chief secretary and secretary of Tourism over the provincial government’s decision to cancel the Shandur Polo Festival.

The court’s directive came in response to a petition filed by Pir Mukhtar through Sher Haider Khan Advocate. During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer informed the court that all preparations for the Shandur Polo Festival had been completed when the government abruptly postponed the event, citing adverse weather conditions.

He explained that the Shandur Polo Ground, located at an altitude of approximately 12,000 feet, is the world’s highest polo ground and hosts an annual three-day freestyle polo tournament at the convergence of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The lawyer argued that the sudden postponement was both unfair and disappointing. He pointed out that the administration of Upper Chitral had completed all necessary arrangements and that players, who had already arrived with their horses - a significant logistical challenge-were left in a lurch. The lawyer further argued that maintaining and transporting horses to the polo ground incurs a one-way cost of around Rs80,000, a substantial burden for most middle-class players. Despite the claim of poor weather, all players were present at Shandur, and the security provided for the event was withdrawn overnight following the cancellation announcement.

The lawyer criticized the lack of consultation with the Gilgit-Baltistan government and deemed the provincial government’s decision unconstitutional. He urged the court to revoke the cancellation notification and allow the festival to proceed. After hearing the arguments, the court issued notices to the chief secretary and secretary of tourism, seeking their responses to the petition.