Staff Correspondent
Booni, April 16, 2026: Preparations for the Shandur Festival 2026 in Upper Chitral were reviewed at a meeting held under the chairpersonship of KP Assembly Deputy Speaker Suriya Bibi.
Addressing the meeting, Ms Suriya stressed the importance of inviting political leadership to the festival, noting that it is a major cultural event for the people of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan. She said that the cancellation of the festival in 2024 had disappointed the public and was also criticized by jailed PTI chairman Imran Khan.
Officials informed the meeting that sports grounds worth Rs90 million are planned in Upper Chitral, with several sites already identified for development.
The deputy speaker highlighted the need for a rest area at the gateway between Upper and Lower Chitral to facilitate tourists and directed authorities to initiate work using available government land. She also called for allocating a larger share of the festival budget to Upper Chitral.
She pledged to take up the construction of a permanent bridge at Shaidas Laspur Nullah to replace the temporary structure used during the festival.
Expressing concern over arrangements, she emphasized that visitors should be treated with dignity and that security measures must not cause inconvenience. She also directed organizers to improve promotional materials.
The festival is expected to take place between June 11 and 13, 2026, though final dates are yet to be announced.
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