ChitralToday on Tuesday night. Sources within the local administration told ChitralToday that the nazim had to face the wrath of the authorities concerned for the ban said to be imposed by him in solidarity with 22 people sent to the in DI Khan jail for attacking the Chitral police lines in the wake of the Shahi Masjid incident on April 21.
The nazim had imposed the ban on the holding of any festival in the territorial jurisdiction of Chitral for two weeks, which was also rejected by the polo association as well as the local administration.
According to sources privy to the development, the Jamaat-e-Islami district nazim had taken the plea that no festival would take place till the release of 22 people from the jail.
Contrary to his previous one page detailed order, in a one liner notification issued on Wednesday the nazim stated: “After detail (sic] meeting with high ups and assurance for support and maintenance of law and order situation in the district this office order issued vide No 50144/PSO/DN/DG/CTL, dated 9/5/2017 is herby withdrawn with immediate effect.”
The district polo association earlier in the day vowed to start the festival on Thursday.
Talking to ChitralToday on phone, president Chitral polo association Shahzada Sikandarul Mulk said all the polo teams and the polo fans from all over Chitral will assemble at Chew Bridge and march towards Chitral polo ground to register their protest against the district nazim.
“This is a polo match and it must not be linked with any community; a particular incident or the likes and dislikes of a political party. This should be clear to anyone opposing this tournament that we will not the elements bent upon imposing their sweet will on others,” he warned.
He continued that after reaching the polo ground, the toss will be held at 3pm, adding we would like to make sure that will one will be allowed to impose their decision on the people of Chitral under one pretext or another.
“Polo is the game of our forefathers; it’s our tradition; part of our culture and we will not allow anybody to impose their decision on the people of Chitral. Our forefathers kept the game alive and we’ve been playing polo for several years and now we’ll hand it over to our children,” he declared.]]>
