CHITRAL: A condolence reference was held here on Monday for Amirullah Khan Yaftali of Laspur Valley, who excelled in different walks of life, including politics, polo, preservation of Khow culture, philanthropy and tourism for six decades.

Arranged under the aegis of one of his friends, Abdul Wali Khan Abid Advocate, the reference was attended by a large number of his admirers coming from different cross-sections of life, while Prof Isaruddin, former chairman of geography department of the University of Peshawar, was the chief guest.

The speakers called him ‘kingmaker’ in the field of politics whose support guaranteed success in the electoral arena, while he himself returned to the district council for three terms consecutively starting from 1979.

They said that he remained steadfast in politics and did not switch sides.

Late Yaftali exhibited his talent in Shandur polo ground on the occasion of Shandur Polo Festival every year as captain of Laspur team.

The speakers said in the 70s when the game of polo was declining in Chitral, Yaftali and his family promoted it in Laspur Valley, and his stable always nurtured horses of different breeds, which showed his craze for the ‘game of kings’.

The speakers termed him an unparalleled conservationist of cultural heritage of Chitral as he was the first in Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan to have established a full-fledged museum, preserving the articles of material culture.

They said Yaftali obtained the services of archaeologists and conservationists to bring his museum and cultural library on a par with large institutions of the country. They also praised him as a philanthropist, helping the needy.

The speakers said any person coming to Laspur Valley before ascending the Shandur Pass or descending into the valley from Gilgit stayed at his home for respite and refreshment.

They quoted a chapter in the book ‘Chitral Dastan’ written by renowned writer Mustansir Hussain Tarar, who along with his family had enjoyed Yaftali’s hospitality in early 2000s.

Prof Israruddin in his concluding address described the historical background of the family of late Yaftali and recalled his interactions and interview with Lieutenant Wilayat Khan (grandfather of late Yaftali) who served the princely state of Chitral and tackled tactfully the arrival of British forces in 1895.

He said late Yaftali had earned his attributions from his father Gul Wali Khan known as ‘Baba-i-Laspur’.

Those who spoke on the occasion included Dr Inayatullah Faizi, Sahib Nadir Advocate, Maulana Khaleequz Zaman, former MPA Syed Sardar Hussain Shah, Shahzada Tanveer, Suharwardi Khan, Wali Mohammad Yaftali, Liaquat Ali and others.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2025