Sibi lies 163 Kms. – 3 hrs. drive to the south east of Quetta at the mouth of the famous “Bolan Pass”. Since the 15th century, this town has been the meeting place of all the tribal chiefs of the area.
The British carried on this tradition in the shape of an annual “Darbar” or meeting, combining it with a ‘Mela” (fair) where thousands of Baluchi tribesmen gathered along with their animals in mid February. This tradition still carries on and every year during February, Sibi has its famous SIBI MELA, where tribesmen flock from all over Baluchistan, parts of Sind and Punjab with their animals. 
The salient features of this “Mela” are horse and cattle and cultural shows, tent pegging, camel races, animal markets and exhibitions of handicrafts, tribal dresses and folk dances.
Importance of Sibi Mela
The festival has become more important as for the first time brotherly Afghanistan and Iran were participating in this Mela. This Mela occupies great importance and interest for the people of Balochistan in which not only people from the province but also from other parts of the country take part. This gives an opportunity to the people to get together and know about each other, developing brotherhood, unity and solidarity, love and affection while opportunities of healthy entertainment on the other. This mela forms a big market for animals where animals of best species are brought for sale. Industrial and agricultural exhibition organized on the occasion also help promote agriculture, trade and industrial development in the province.
In today’s busy age this event has gained more importance and with the passage of time this traditional even has passed through different changing scenarios. Since inception of Pakistan this even has promoted economic activities while after independence Father of the nation Quaid-I-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah personally attended this Mela raising its importance manifold. We are proud of his graciousness and believe that this event would keep serving as a platform for national solidarity. Sibi Mela plays an important role to promote national solidarity and brotherhood among masses of different parts of the country.
Historic Background of Sibi Mela
Balochistan is the biggest province of the country as it covers 43.6% area of the country and has 6.5 million populations, which regard the least population province of the country. Besides minerals and natural resources, Balochistan has been playing the role of junction between South and Central Asian countries.
It means, Balochistan is enrich in history and culture since very long but right now we are going to mention about the grand fair of Balochistan, which has played an significant role to introduce Balochistan in and outside of the country in a very different way. In terms of history grand Sibi Mela has become recognition of the province.
The land of Hani, Shah Murid Chakar and Guharam has gained global recognition while on other hand it has also been playing vital role in boosting regional and national economy.
For centuries, two economic gatherings/bazaars used to hold in Sibi, the first one would set up in early days of spring season while the second one at the end of spring days as Sibi or Sivi used to be a central economic junction in neighboring countries including Russia, India and Iran.
In 15th Century, Mir Chakar Khan Rind promoted economy fete and arranged holding economic activities inside his citadel in the advent of spring season.
After holding central on the subcontinent, English expanded this traditional tribal trade gathering in order to express its enormity. In 1882. Sir Rebert Sandeman like Chakar Rind introduced Shahi Darbar in Sibi Mela and started awarding dresses and certificates to traders and participants of Sibi Mela. By the passage of time, Sibi Mela started expending and people began waiting anxiously for holding of Sibi Mela the whole year.
British government started settling down serval clashes and tribal disputes peacefully, which echoed in far flung areas. When Pakistan came into being, Quad-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah attended Sibi Mela and addressed a Shahi Darbar. Since then, it has become tradition of the Mela that head of the state participates in inaugural or concluding ceremony of Sibi Mela.
