QUETTA: The historic Sibi Festival, which commenced on Thursday, has attracted thousands of people, including women and children, to participate in the various programmes featured in the week-long event.

Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai inaugurated the festival in a ceremony at the Sibi Stadium that was attended by MPA Nawab Muhammad Khan Shahwani, Sibi Commissioner Ghulam Ali Baloch, former caretaker chief minister Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Barozai and several other officials.

The tradition of the festival dates back to the 15th century when the-then rulers invited all the tribes in the region to gather in Sibi to discuss their disputes and resolve them through a Jirga.

The tradition continued till the 17th century when large caravanserais were built to accommodate the tribal chiefs and their colourful entourages.

Sir Robert Sandeman, who was appointed the British governor general’s agent in Balochistan in 1876, encouraged the annual Jirga to avoid bloody feuds between tribes.

Today, the festival marks the beginning of spring with tournaments, exhibitions, and trading.

Thousands of camels, horses and cattle from distant villages are exhibited for trade. The fair attracts important figures from all over the country, as well as tribesmen from the surrounding areas.

“Animals worth over Rs2 billion are expected to be sold at the event,” an official of the livestock department told Dawn.

Several government departments, including those of agriculture, livestock, industry, education, irrigation, public health engineering, information and buildings, have set up stalls to display their products and performance.

Tournaments of various sports, such as football, cricket, badminton, table tennis and hockey, will be part of the festival which will also feature performances by renowned singers and artistes from Pakistan and India.

Governor Achakzai said at the inaugural ceremony that the festival promoted the livestock of the province and had great historic value.

“We are going to establish a university in Sibi. More steps should be taken to modernise and improve the festival,” he said and added that 80 per cent of Balochistan’s GDP depended on livestock.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2016