KP govt announces dates for Shandur Polo Festival

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced that the annual Shandur Polo Festival will be held from June 11 to June 13, 2026, at the world’s highest polo ground, as preparations for the high-profile cultural and sporting event begin.

Speaking with KP Tourism Department officials, provincial assembly speaker Suriya Bibi said the festival will take place at Shandur, located at an altitude of around 12,200 feet, where teams from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan will compete in traditional freestyle polo matches.

Known as the “Roof of the World” tournament, the Shandur Polo Festival also features freestyle polo, which is played without strict rules, drawing large crowds of local and international tourists each year.

In addition to the sporting contests, the three-day event will include paragliding displays, cultural performances, traditional tabla shows, and music nights featuring bands from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, the department said.

Tourism officials said preparations for the festival were in the final stages, with efforts underway to ensure smooth coordination among all relevant departments.

“All institutions are working together to make the event a success,” Tourism Secretary Saadat Hassan said, adding that arrangements for logistics, security and visitor facilities were being finalised.

The Shandur Festival, held annually, is considered one of Pakistan’s most iconic cultural events, promoting tourism and cultural exchange between northern regions of the country.