PESHAWAR:Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry on Friday directed concerned authorities to finalize arrangements for Shandur Polo Festival and ensure steps for successful holding of this signature event of the province.

The Chief Secretary gave the instruction in a high-level meeting held here at Civil Secretariat, to review preparations for Shandur Polo Festival.

The meeting was attended by administrative secretaries of home, tourism, information, communication & works departments and Director General KP Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) while Commissioner Malakand, Regional Police Officer, Deputy Commissioners of Upper and Lower Chitral participated through video link.

Secretary tourism informed the meeting that this year also the historical and world highest altitude polo festival at Shandur, District Chitral would be commencing from 07 July to July 09, 2023. The event held at the world highest polo ground at a height of 12,264 feet, he said, is a signature festival of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for which elaborate arrangements are being finalized. Referring to arrangements, he explained that a tent village and prefabricated washrooms would be set up, wherein boarding and lodging facilities would be provided to both foreign and domestic tourists. He said that apart from polo matches, local music and performing art would be displayed besides setting up stalls.

The chief secretary asked secretary finance to provide funds required for the festival and directed him to ensure that the resources are utilised in a transparent manner.

He also directed that the National Highways Authority should review the road leading to Shandur Polo Ground to make it usable for traffic and ensure availability of heavy machinery at places where there is a risk of road closure due to flooding in streams. Similarly, travel advisories should also be issued for the convenience and safe travel of tourists so that they do not face any inconvenience. The Chief Secretary further instructed that the deputy commissioners and district police officers should prepare a comprehensive plan including traffic plan for the upcoming event.

The Chief Secretary stressed the need to make all-out efforts for the successful holding of Shandur Polo Festival, saying that such events portray a positive image of Pakistan, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, all over the world.