News Desk |
Chitral is set to host a three-day annual Shandur Polo festival at the world’s highest Polo ground on July 7th. The provincial government is anticipating the huge turnover of foreign and domestic tourists this season. Hence extraordinary arrangements are underway to facilitate the tourists attending the festival.
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A high-level meeting of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism department was held on Thursday chaired by tourism secretary, Kamran Rehman. The meeting discussed the ways in which the festival can help increase tourism in the region and the essential steps to be taken in this regard.
The official statement of the meeting read that the government is looking forward towards organizing the Shandur Polo festival in a befitting manner to attract a large number of foreign and domestic tourists. Moreover, the government has withdrawn the condition of obtaining the No Objection Certificate to attend the festival that deterred potential tourists from travelling to the region.
Read more: The Game of Kings at Shandur
“This year, the number of foreign and domestic tourists will be great compared to the yesteryears as peace has completely been restored in the province and the condition of acquiring the no objection certificate for international tourists has already been withdrawn,” the secretary said.
Rehman also added that the boarding and lodging facilities will be provided to the domestic and foreign tourists alike.
Junaid Khan, the Managing Director TKC-P stated, “special arrangements for women, children, and families [are being made] to seat them in enclosures,” he said, adding that a tent village will be erected to house visitors.
To ensure the safety and security of the tourist, the armed contingents will be deployed around the tent village.
Read more: Shandur Festival
The district government of Chitral, police, Pakistan Army and other state institutions will help in organizing a peaceful Shandur Polo festival. The tourism department has already launched a campaign in print, electronic and social media to promote the festival.