SARGODHA Feb 23: Despite the cancellation of the annual Jashn-i-Baharan by the district Nazim in the wake of tragic air crash near Kohat, the Shahpur Tehsil Nazim on Sunday inaugurated the spring festival.

Festivities at the Mela Mandi Ground were at its peak when this correspondent visited there. Gambling stalls were seen along the boundary wall of the ground. Besides, the tent pegging, horse dances and circus shows were going on in the ground.

District Nazim Malik Amjad Ali Noon, chief patron of the spring festival, had officially announced its cancellation, but Shahpur Tehsil Nazim Sardar Bahadur Abbas Meikan opened the gala as the chief guest.

Public Relations Deputy Director Abid Kamalvi said he had issued the handout (announcing the cancellation) after consulting the District Nazim and Sargodha tehsil Nazim.

The prime minister and the Punjab chief minister who had earlier promised to inaugurate the Jashn-i-Baharan, refused to come to Sargodha on account of the deaths of Air Force chief and his associates.

The Sargodha tehsil Nazim expressed his ignorance about the inauguration of the festival by the Shahpur Nazim. He had no authority to open or conduct the fair as it was the jurisdiction of the District Nazim, he added.

Over Rs0.5 million are expected to be spent on the fair but who will pay the bill — Shahpur Tehsil Nazim or Sargodha Tehsil Nazim.

It is learnt that some people associated with Nazims have forced the Shahpur Tehsil Nazim to perform the opening ceremony so that the expenses already incurred on it were justified.

It is alleged that Sargodha and Shahpur tehsil administration have received handsome amount from the contractor with the undertaking that he would be free to conduct gambling.

Religious circles, however, have pledged that they would not allow gambling and stage plays in the mela ground.

Shocked over the Kohat tragedy, citizens have criticized the timing of the Jashn-i-Baharan.