Chitral Today Correspondent
CHITRAL, June 22, 2025: The annual Shandur Polo Festival was as usual marred by poor planning and administrative neglect, leaving thousands of local and visiting spectators stranded en route due to the blockade of the Chitral-Shandur road at multiple places.
Despite repeated assurances by the provincial government about promoting tourism and improving access to the high-altitude venue, visitors from Lower and Upper Chitral as well as other parts of the country and abroad were stuck for hours in areas like Laspur, Mastuj, Booni and Koghuzi as landslides and road damages blocked the only access route.
“No one from the administration was available to guide us or help clear the road,” said Ahmad Ali. “We had to sleep in our vehicles while helicopters carrying VIPs flew overhead.”
At the venue too, common spectators faced lots of hardships while all facilities were provided to government officers and political leaders treated as VIPs.
While the general public suffered, top Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government officials, including ministers and bureaucrats, reached Shandur in helicopters.
“It’s disheartening to see all resources diverted for a select few while the public is left behind,” said a visitor. “The government keeps talking about tourism, but this is not the way to build confidence.”
In addition, the promised livestream of the polo matches could not be arranged due to the lack of mobile internet at the venue, a failure that further fueled public resentment.
Journalists and content creators who had planned to cover the event live were unable to broadcast or upload footage.
When contacted, a district administration official admitted to ChitralToday that “logistical challenges” hampered efforts to ensure smooth arrangements. However, he claimed that teams were \”on the ground\” to clear roads and assist the public, a claim strongly refuted by stranded travelers.
The Shandur Festival, which draws visitors from across Pakistan and abroad, is seen as a vital opportunity to showcase the natural and cultural heritage of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan. But many fear that recurring issues and administrative neglect will damage its reputation beyond repair.
“I’ve been attending it for the last six years, but this is the worst experience yet,” said a tourist from Islamabad. “It seems the festival is now only for VIPs, not for the people who truly love this place.”
Locals and tourism stakeholders are now calling for a clear policy to ensure inclusive and equitable access in future editions.