CHAKWAL: The 104-year-old historic fair in Chakwal scuttled for the first time of its history as the local administration not only forestalled the activities of Mela Karsal but also registered a case against 25,500 unknown persons including the key organisers under different sections on Oct 9.

The FIR filed at Neelah police station on the complaint of its SHO Ghazi Abdul Rehman states that the complainant was tipped off by an informer that Syed Asad Nisar Kazmi, Syed Mohsin Nisar Kazmi, Syed Lateef Nisar Kazmi and Syed Nisar Qasim were organising a “Karah” (bulls competition) without getting prior permission from the office of the deputy commissioner and sound system without permission was being used and the road was blocked.

The SHO further claimed that some of the organisers tried to trample police personnel under tractors, instigating crowd to chant slogans against the sitting government while a motorcycle of a cop was also stolen.

Sources in the district administration alleged that the Mela Karsal was thwarted on some political grounds.

Ironically, the district administration had earlier permitted a man from Nankana to install a sound system, well of death, zoo, children swings and mini circus at Mela Karsal on Oct 3 but it cancelled this notification immediately on Oct 6 citing that the organisers of the very fair did not get any permission.

Talking to Dawn, Chief Organiser of the mela Pir Nisar Qasim said that in its 104 years, the question of taking permission for Mela Karsal never arose.

Horse riders from different districts of Punjab, vendors and spectators from across the province were left dejected as tent pegging, Karah, dance and other events were not allowed.

Karsal village located some 26km to the west of Chakwal city houses the shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Syed Walait Shah who is considered the “sole heir” of Pir Syed Abdul Lateef Kazmi known as “Bari Imam” the patron saint of Islamabad as he was born in Karsal.

Mela Karsal is considered one of the major cultural festivals in the country. The fair which begins with special prayers includes horse dance, shooting ball match, Kabaddi, Karah (bull competition) daali (a procession taken out from one end of the village to the other) and the most desired and watched event of dance and music.

Legendary singers including Akhtari Begum (also known as Akhtari Bai and Begum Akhtar), Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, Ustad Nazakat Ali Khan, Mehdi Hassan, Reshma, Noor Jehan, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ghulam Ali Khan, Hamid Ali Khan, Shafqat Ali Khan and many more used to feel honour to perform at Karsal Mela.

Historically dance or Dhamaal remains an integral part during annual fairs at shrines of Sufi saints.

When contacted, Additional Deputy Commissioner General Bilal Bin Abdul Hafeez told Dawn that the fair was not allowed simply because its organisers did not bother to get a No Objection Certificate from district administration.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2024