Shandur comes alive as polo festival kicks off

Airport, roads and tourism promotion plans highlighted

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has inaugurated the Shandur Polo Festival, a landmark event set against the stunning backdrop of the world's highest polo ground.

The Governor was accompanied by Provincial Minister for Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan and Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Tourism Adeel Malik.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Kundi assured full support for polo players. Despite limited resources, he praised the tourism department for successfully managing the festival.

"We have discussed with the Special Assistant, and we will also promote Buzkashi, a traditional Central Asian sport," Kundi said.

He announced swift measures to attract more tourists to Chitral, including the imminent inauguration of an airport in the district. "We will also speak with the National Highway Authority (NHA) for road restoration and make recommendations to the provincial government regarding road infrastructure," he added.

In a separate matter, Governor Kundi expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for directing PASSCO to supply wheat to K-P. "The province requires 3.6 million metric tonnes of wheat. The Prime Minister has approved 0.2 million metric tonnes through PASSCO," he noted.

However, he lamented that free delivery of the remaining wheat from Punjab remains halted at nine check posts bordering K-P. "Under the Constitution and the new wheat policy, free movement of wheat and flour is our right. The Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Punjab must take notice of the situation at these check posts," Kundi asserted.

He demanded the uninterrupted supply of flour and wheat to meet the province's needs, stressing that the people should not be denied access to subsidised flour and wheat.

On the energy front, the Governor said the CNG issue in the province has been resolved, adding that he would continue working to address other problems and restore peace.