PISHIN: Hundreds of Pashtun Pakistanis on Monday took part in traditional games in the mountainous Pishin district of the Balochistan province to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, drawing crowds from across the insurgency-hit region.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but most impoverished province, has been the site of a long-running insurgency that has intensified in recent years.
Separatist militant attacks have frequently targeted security forces, law enforcement and non-native Pakistanis in the region bordering Iran and Afghanistan.
Monday’s games included tug-of-war, wrestling, running and chicken-catching competitions that drew spectators from far and wide.
“These are our cultural games, which we have revived once again,” Syed Zia-ud-Din, who organized the games, told AFP.
“These traditions were passed down to us by our ancestors. Now we will hold such games every year, on every Eid.”
Siraj-ud-Din, a tug-of-war participant, said it was their traditional sport and demonstrated strength.
“In our area, there are hardworking people, they like the sport of tug-of-war very much,” Siraj said. “In it, a person’s power and strength are assessed.”
Residents appreciated the games as a positive event in the region that has also been infested by goods- and drug-smuggling gangs, who conduct it through the country’s porous border with Iran and Afghanistan.
“Our area is in dire need of such a festival,” said Syed Kamal Shah.
“The district of Pishin used to be peaceful but for some time now, unrest has been rising here. Organizing such a festival will bring peace and put an end to drugs.”
