Malik Ashdar Festival draws crowds in Waziristan

The festival of Malik Ashdar was celebrated in North Waziristan tribal district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Friday just a day ahead of Eid-ul-Azha as per the centuries-old tradition.

Traditionally Eid is celebrated a day ahead of the country in the tribal belt.

The law and order situation in Waziristan had badly interrupted the festival which was banned by the administration for more than a decade.

Three years ago, however, a local welfare organization Youth of Waziristan restarted it with the help of district administration to provide locals with recreational opportunities.

“This festival in organised in Tappi where as per the local belief Malik Ashdar, a local saint, is buried,” said a local resident, adding that people go the grave to offer prayers and their respect and then come to the food stalls and eat and merry.

In the past horse race and target shooting were the main attractions of this festival. There are no more horses in the villages and target shooting is also not allowed on a very large scale like the past because people can’t carry guns openly but still it is practiced on a limited scale.

A local resident Tabidar said that last year there were just a few hundred people in the festival but this year thousands attended it which is very encouraging because this festival is a part of local tribal culture.

“Many more wanted to come to the festival but the hot weather kept them away. In the coming years we want it to grow in size and scope,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2022.