7 July 2025: Amir Ullah Khan Yaftali of Laspur Passed Away
Amirullah Khan Yaftali was a prominent socialite, politician, and polo player from Laspur Valley in Upper Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Born into the respected Bahramay tribe, Yaftali had a lifelong dedication to preserving the culture of Chitral in the form of Polo, hospitality and a museum.
Also Read: Rahman Qul and Kirghiz Nomads: A Story of Exodus and Transition
He came from a distinguished family of the area—his great-grandfather, Lieutenant Wilayat Khan, fought in the Kashmir Jihad of 1948, while his father, Subedar Gul Wali Khan, popularly known as “Baba-e-Laspur” (father of Laspur) for his leadership and matchless hospitality, was a well-known local leader and Union Council Chairman. The residence of the Yaftali family in Harchin Laspur is well-known for being a warm abode for guests around the world. Local, national and international travellers traversing the Shandur Pass would always find Baba-e-Laspur ever ready for their service, most of their time without prior acquaintance with them.
Yaftali was active in politics after his graduation from Sindh Muslim College Karachi. He joined Air Marshal Asghar Khan’s Tehreek-e-Istiqlal, became its Chitral district president in 1975, and was later elected as District Council Member in 1979, a position he was elected for three consecutive terms. He played a key role in local governance and political mobilization in Upper Chitral throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Beyond politics and heritage, Yaftali was a legendary freestyle polo player, leading his team at the Shandur Polo Festival for 13 consecutive victories. He remained active in sports and cultural life into his seventies and was widely respected for his oratory, traditional dance, and deep-rooted hospitality.
Also Read: 23 June 2025: Chitral Wins Shandur Polo Festival
In the 1980s, he played a key role in making Shandur Polo Festival a regular yearly event with provincial support which continues till today, and has given Chitral, a global recognition.
Fulfilling this vision of preserving the culture of Chitral, he spent over five decades collecting artifacts and eventually established the Laspur Heritage Museum near Herchin, along the Shandur road. The museum became a unique institution in the region—displaying traditional agricultural tools, household items, weapons, hunting gear, and polo equipment from Chitral, Ghizer, and Central Asia.
Also Read: 1914: The First Recorded Polo Match Played at Shandur
He passed away on 7th July 2025 at the age of 81, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the foremost preservers of Chitral’s cultural identity. His museum remains a testament to his vision, preserving the history and traditions of a remote yet culturally rich region.
Pictures contributed by the late Yaftali’s nephew, Nurulhuda Yaftali
Posted on 19 July 2025
