Staff Correspondent
Chitral, June 16, 2026: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Lower Chitral at a meeting held today at the district office condemned women dances and open use of drugs during the recently-held Shandur Festival in Upper Chitral.
The meeting was presided over by District Amir Maulana Abdul Rahman. The proceedings were presented by Deputy Secretary Qazi Rasheed Azam. The meeting was attended by Major (Retd.) Abdul Samad, Mufti Zameer Ahmed, and Arbab Masih-ul-Mulk, says a press release.
Information Secretary Nusrat Elahi briefed the cabinet about objectionable items at the inauguration of the three-day annual Shandur Festival in Upper Chitral.
The meeting was told that Kalash community women and school girls were forcibly pushed into dancing and singing performances at the event. Moreover, drug use took place openly during the festival
“The district administrations of Upper and Lower Chitral committed criminal negligence
They completely failed in protecting Islam, Islamic symbols, and the dignified traditions of Chitral.”
The people of Chitral are in severe anger and distress over this incident.
District Amir Maulana Abdul Rahman, after consultation with the cabinet, announced that the shameful incident at Shandur will be presented to the provincial parliamentary leader Maulana Lutfur Rehman.
The JUI will present its stance in the assembly regarding the “immodesty” in Chitral and will demand strict action against the administrations of both districts.
A future course of action will be decided regarding the prevention of such incidents in Chitral and against the negligence of the administration.
If only the religious leaders could show equal interest in pointing out dishonesty and hypocricy in public dealings rampant in the society 365 days a year, instead of concentrating on the three days at Shandur.