Qaqlasht Festival kicks off in Chitral

PESHAWAR:

The three-day Qaqlasht festival kicked off at the tourist resort Qaqlasht in Upper Chitral on Thursday.

Upper Chitral Deputy Commissioner, Irfanuddin, inaugurated the festival by unfurling the flag.

A large number of people, tourists and students from different educational institutions attended the event on the first day. The students presented national anthem and sang national songs.

Organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) and district administration Upper Chitral on the directives of KP chief minister and CM’s advisor on Tourism and Culture, the festival is also showcasing different sports competitions including polo, sports for the physically challenged persons, traditional food stalls, cultural show, tug-of-war, skate shooting, marathon race, volleyball, cricket, football, archery and music night.

Other games like falcon prey, hockey and other activities like buddy dik, quiz competitions, jeep race, mushaira and paragliding are other features of the festival.

Speaking on the occasion, DC Irfanuddin said that that holding of Qaqlasht Festival was made possible after five years of hiatus.

“Chitral is a paradise for the tourists and visitors,” he said, adding that the scenic district had a treasure trove of culture, beauty and above all an exemplary peaceful environment for tourists to enjoy.

He called upon the national and international tourists and visitors to come and enjoy natural beauty of lush green valleys, snow-capped mountains, rivers, landscapes, rich cultural heritage, springs, streams and serene spots.

Qaqlasht committee members briefed the participants about the programmers and activities to be held during the gala.

They said that music of reed instrument and that of pure Chitrali sitar will also be organised besides folk dance ‘chong righishi’ and ‘tatali wawali’, and ‘mamashish’.

Jashan-e-Qaqlasht is 2,000 years old festival of the people of Chitral.

The festival is organized with the objective to protect the indigenous Kho culture and to highlight and market it as tourism product so as to attract maximum national and international tourists to the region that could help reduce poverty by providing tourism-related job opportunities to the locals apart from promoting cross-cultural understanding and harmony.

Published in The Express Tribune May 3^rd, 2024.