Staff Correspondent
Chitral, June 26, 2026: A shopkeeper who had set up a Sabeel (free refreshment stall) in Chitral Bazar on Muharram 10 (Ashura) was harassed by a group of religious extremists who pulled down the pots containing the refreshments, spilling and destroying the sharbat.
A video of the incident later went viral on social media, drawing widespread condemnation. Many netizens called on the district administration and law enforcement agencies to identify those involved and take legal action against them.
According to local accounts, the group objected to the Sabeel before overturning the containers and disrupting its distribution.
The incident has raised concerns among residents, who described it as inconsistent with Chitral’s long-standing tradition of religious harmony, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Residents urged the authorities to conduct a transparent investigation and ensure accountability, stressing that disagreements over religious practices should be resolved through dialogue and the rule of law rather than intimidation or vandalism.