Jashn-e-Chitral: The Festival Engage Youth In Positive Activities

News Desk

Chitral: The four-day Jashn-e-Chitral festival kicked off in Lower Chitral on Friday, which features cultural activities and traditional sports of the mountain communities of the Hindukush and Karakorum region.

The opening ceremony was held at the stadium of Government Centennial model High School. Students of the School of Knowledge and Science Singoor, and members of participating teams presented an enthralling welcome march with flowers in their hands.

The event features different competitions including Qirat, Naat Khawani, national songs, poetry, volleyball, football, cricket, tug-of-war and polo.

District Sports Officer Ameer Zaman said, “The main purpose of celebrating this festival is to engage the young people in constructive activities that will both keep them psychologically and physically fit, and keep them away from drugs and other harmful behaviours.”

According to official records, the festival was first celebrated during the reign of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, possibly in 1974. Jasn-e-Chitral was part of the Chitral district office calendar until the reign of General Zia ul Haq. After rigorous pressure from religious political parties, the festival was stopped, but later on, during the tenure of General Pervaiz Musharaf, the festival was resumed, and since then it has been held regularly.

This festival also aims to revive traditional sports. The Chitrali elders and youth play an important role as the festival involves organizing the event through community participation and volunteers taken from different sections of society.

The winning teams in all events are honoured with rewards. The festival also provides communities from different valleys an opportunity to interact and mingle with each other.