May 8, 2005	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 28, 1426

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CHITRAL, May 7: The famous Kalash festival Chilim Jusht will be held from May 13 to 18 in the three segregated valleys— Bumburate, Birir and Rumboor, the abode of the primitive people. Situated southward at a distance of 40 kilometres from the district headquarters, the valleys attract a large number of people during the festival.

Heralding the arrival of spring season, the event is marked by merry-making which touches its zenith on the final day. Drinking and dancing in groups by the young damsels and women throughout the day and the musical concerts at night are attended by a large number of non-locals.

The main event of the festival is the function where marriages are solemnized as the Kalash enter into matrimonial relation during this festival. During the forthcoming festival, 31 couples are going to knot the ties.

Meanwhile, due to the closure of Lowari Pass and continuous cancellation of PIA flights between Peshawar and Chitral, tourists will not be able to attend the festival.

PROTEST: The residents of Drosh town of Chitral district adopted a novel way to lodge their protest and press the government for the solution of their longstanding problems.

The people of Drosh announced to hold a football match in the road of New Bazaar thus blocking the busy vehicular traffic as a protest.

The local MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, however, persuaded the people to postpone the protest football match and assured them of the fulfilment of their demands. The demands included the construction of pipeline for the provision of clear drinking water, improvement of the tehsil hospital and construction of a sports ground.