CHAKWAL: Streets leading to the city’s municipal stadium are abuzz with activity as the long-awaited cultural festival of the district returns to Chakwal today.

‘Jashan-i-Chakwal’ will open today, after being suspended for six years due to security concerns and a lack of interest shown by the administration.

The new District Coordination Officer (DCO) Asif Bilal Lodhi took the initiative to revive the cultural fairs of the area and directed the concerned officials to hold this festival.

The four-day fair shall include Karah, Chakwal’s hallmark bull fighting contest; Himri, a genre of folk music which can only be found in Chakwal district; along with kabbadi matches, tent-pegging, dog-running, horse dance and the famous Lucky Irani Circus.

Renowned folk singer Shifaullah Rokhri will also enthrall visitors with his performance at the festival.

“We have tried our best to make the fair successful and we hope that a lot of people shall enjoy the different cultural aspects on display,” said Tehsil Municipal Officer Chaudhry Tariq Mehmood Paroya.

“We do not have any financial constraints, as two percent of the district’s funds are reserved for holding such fairs,” he added.

Mian Ehsan-ul-Haq, the general manager of Lucky Irani Circus, said the only hurdle was getting the permission from the officials, which has now been granted. Otherwise, the people have been craving for such spectacles for a long time, he claimed.

Talking to Dawn, DCO Lodhi said, “It is the right of the people to have opportunities of entertainment, and I will try my best to hold such cultural events.”

He further said that fairs like this help dispel the suppressive atmosphere created by terrorism and sectarianism.