PESHAWAR: A high-level meeting on Monday decided to organise the upcoming three-day Shandur polo festival in a befitting manner in order to attract more tourists to the spectacular event being held on June 28.

Adviser to the chief minister on tourism and culture Zahid Chanzeb chaired the meeting.

Secretary tourism Mohammad Bakhtiar Khan, director general KP Culture and Tourism Authority Barkatullah Marwat and officials concerned attended the meeting.

The Malakand division commissioner and deputy commissioners of Upper and Lower Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, additional chief secretary Gilgit-Baltistan, local administrative officers and sports officials participated online.

The meeting was informed that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur will also attend the festival.

Polo teams from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan will vie for the trophy on highest polo ground of the world situated at a height of 12,000 feet.

Foreign tourists are also expected to travel to the venue.

The CM’s aide said the KP government was paying special attention to development of tourism sector. He said the successful holding of the Shandur polo festival would be a test case for the tourism department.

Mr Chanzeb said keeping roads leading to the venue cleared of any obstacle, ensuring security of both the players and the spectators, and making available quality food items and fuel in sufficient quantity was the foremost duty of the authorities concerned. “Not a single incident of negligence would be tolerated in this respect,” he warned.

He also directed the deputy commissioners concerned to hold separate meetings with players and elders to take them into confidence about the security measures taken at the venue. He also instructed the players to put the best logos on their shirts so that tourism and culture branding flourished in the province.

“Increase in both domestic and foreign tourists will help improve the finances of the province,” he said.

The CM’s aide said potable water, washroom facilities and good sanitary arrangements would also be ensured.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2024