Shandur, July 10: Arranged at the highest polo ground of the world and enjoyed by over 20,0000 local and international visitors, the Shandur Festival drew attention of the world owing to its unique nature. PTDC had gained a lot of experience by successfully organizing the Shandur Polo Festival (July 7-9) for the second consecutive year. Thousands of local and foreign tourists amused themselves from the multi coloured festivities of this annual traditional festival.

‘By the grace of Allah Almighty and untiring efforts of entire PTDC staff members, Shandur Polo Festival has now achieved the status of a mega international event which is attracting more and more tourists across the globe every year’ said Managing Director Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation Salman Javed while talking to the reporters here. He said that the recent event would further promote and highlight Pakistan tourism in the world and generate more job opportunities for our youth by attracting foreign tourists to Pakistan. Under the directives of President General Pervez Musharraf, PTDC took the charge of organizing the festival last year and with day and night deliberations, elaborate arrangements and strategy, which won recognition internationally and organized it in a befitting manner in close coordination with all the stakeholders.

This year PTDC, by getting advantage of its last year’s experience, added new attrations in the festival and clearly demarcated duties between different organizations involved for smooth functioning of the Festival. Publicity material like posters, brochures, and documentary films were prepared and aired by different TV channels and published in the leading dailies and journals under a media campaign to highlight the salient features of the event the world over. Special discounted tour packages were announced to facilitate domestic and foreign tourists to witness this unique game on the roof of the world. As directed by the President, the road between Gilgit and Shandur was improved by the Northern Areas Administration and tourists were encouraged to take this picturesque and relatively comfortable route to reach Shandur.The District Administration of Chitral also worked very hard to improve infrastructure between Chitral and Shandur. PIA introduced direct flights from Islamabad to Chitral in addition to those between Peshawar and Chitral, and Islamabad – Gilgit. PTDC Motels at Panah Kot (Dir), Bamburet (Kalash), Chitral, Mastuj, Phandar, Gupis, Gilgit and Besham offered comfortable accommodation to intended visitors to Shandur. Tent accommodation was also provided at Shandur. A cultural show was organized by PTDC at Shandur during the cool night on July 8, which was widely appreciated by local and foreign tourists. Thousands of charged spectators stormed the world’s highest Polo ground and derived out fun from the game. The three day festival, attracted a large number of foreign tourists.