CHITRAL, July 29 – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s decision to spend nearly Rs1 billion on the renovation and upgradation of polo grounds has triggered strong public backlash in Chitral, where residents continue to suffer due to broken roads and delays in key infrastructure projects.
Citizens, civil society groups, and local leaders say the funding should have been directed towards repairing Chitral’s damaged road network, which is crucial for transportation, tourism, and emergency services in the mountainous region.
Broken Roads in Chitral Remain Unattended
Several major roads in Chitral, including the Chitral-Shandur Road, Chitral-Garam Chashma Road, and all roads to different sub-valleys remain in poor condition. Locals report that many areas become inaccessible during the monsoon season due to landslides and lack of maintenance.
“Polo is part of our culture, but when people can’t even reach hospitals or markets, the government’s priorities must be questioned,” said a resident of Upper Chitral.
Locals argue that the Rs1 billion earmarked for polo ground development could have been better spent addressing the urgent need for road repair and infrastructure development in Chitral.
Govt Defends Polo Project Amid Local Concerns
The KP government maintains that the polo ground upgradation is part of a broader initiative to promote tourism and cultural heritage in the province, particularly in areas like Chitral, where traditional polo festivals such as the Shandur Polo Festival attract national and international visitors.
However, residents counter that without basic road connectivity, even tourism efforts will fall short.
“The roads are dangerous and neglected. What good is a polo ground if no one can safely reach it?” asked a civil society activist in Booni.
Demand for Reallocation of Funds
Amid growing discontent, there are increasing calls from Chitral-based politicians, activists, and community elders for the government to reallocate funds toward essential services like roads, health, and education, instead of focusing on prestige projects.
The situation has sparked a broader debate over development inequality in KP, with many residents of Chitral feeling overlooked in provincial planning and budget allocations.
Polo Development Package
Last week, Polo Association Chitral President Sikandar Ul Mulk led the association’s cabinet and held a meeting with KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, resulting in an announcement to promote polo and sports in Chitral.
A development package was announced for key polo grounds in Shandur, Chitral, Booni, Sor Laspur and Garam Chashma. These grounds will be handed over to the Sports Department for proper maintenance and modernization. Special directives were issued to acquire land for the Booni Polo Ground.
The package includes construction of stages, seating areas and essential facilities aiming to upgrade these venues to international standards. Additionally, a grant of Rs500,000 was announced for players from Chitral’s B, C, D, and Subdivision Mastuj teams for participation in Shandur matches.