Tourism in the era of terrorism

Winter sees droves of tourists in the alpine regions of KP

KARACHI: Despite the freezing temperature and threats of terrorism, a large number of people including foreign tourists and players participated in the two-day National Ski and Snowboarding Championship held at the scenic alpine ski resort of Malam Jabba in the Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The event, which included slolem, giant slolem and free style skiing, was attended by more than 100 players, including four foreigners, and attracted 1500 tourists.

Among the many, one was Dale Andrews from South Africa, who is on a trip to the northern areas of Pakistan to enjoy the winter season.

While skiing in the snow of the Malam Jaba he said that he enjoyed the culture, winter and hospitality in KP. He added that he had heard negative news regarding Swat and the upper areas of the province. He, however, is of a different view, deeming his trip a peaceful one, he said that there wasn’t anything bad in the beautiful region, as was portrayed by the media.

He said that he was now planning to go to the northern area and wished to explore the tribal district of Pakistan as well.

The province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa receives snowfall, making it a welcoming site for tourists. The upper parts of the province are witnessing a major influx of local and foreign tourists these days. The scenic hill stations of Galiyat, Kaghan, Kalam, Malam Jabba, Chitral and Shogran attract adventure sports and snowfall lovers in droves.

According to the statistics shared by the provincial tourism authority; over eight million people visited various tourist attractions during the last month alone. The report further states that there were around 890,772 domestic and 55 foreign tourists who visited various hill stations. Among them, a large number of tourists were also attracted by the mesmerising view of Galyat, Dir and other valleys of the Malakand division in KP. The one-month stats show that 0.5m domestic and 17 foreign tourists visited Malam Jabba while 0.2m domestic and four international tourists visited Galyat.

Similarly, around 79,548 domestic tourists enjoyed their vacations in the scenic valleys of Kaghan and Naraan and 23,711 domestic and 24 foreign tourists visited lower Chitral. The report further informed that there were around 1,012 national and three foreign tourists who visited upper Dir in KP. The provincial tourism department report also shared that Shogran and Kaghan valleys continue to bustle with snow lovers.

On the other hand, a surge in terrorism was observed after militant groups retook their positions in these areas along the border after the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan. The Pakistani Taliban have returned to the picturesque of Swat Valley, Dir, Malakand and tribal districts of KP. The people of the area, led by the political parties and activists in the major cities, are doing their best to resist the armed groups in the province.

A journalist based in Peshawar, Lehaz Ali said that the province has ample potential for tourism owing to its scenic landscape. But after Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan, the anti-state elements also regrouped and mobilised to fight against the state in Pakistan, he added.

Responding to a question, he said that the southern region of the province is most impacted by the new wave of militancy as compared to the upper parts.

He also recalled some militants’ incidents, which took place last August, in tourist spots like Swat, Dir and Malakand, which negatively impacted the tourism sector there, but a few months later these tourists’ spots saw a major increase in visitors as tourists started visiting the region again.

The local journalist explained that the reasons behind the increase was due to security forces’ clean-up operation and the local voices against the militants in the province. He added that the locals staged protests against the militancy that forced the militants to evacuate from Swat, Dir and Malakand district. The locals corresponded with the national media and raised their voices against militancy which resulted in an increase in tourism in December 2022, he added.

He suggested to the government and security forces to maintain peace. He also stressed upon the government to rebuild the infrastructure which was badly damaged due to the recent floods across KP.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department with help of the Pakistan Army had organised a visit of travel agents and tour operators to the tribal district of Pakistan. The initiative aims to attract tourists with the help of these stockholders, who will help to bring tourists to the newly merged tribal district. In the four days trip, the delegation visited various places including Sampogh Top, Nanavar Cave, Kalaya, Sikh Monument, Lockhaut Fort and Gulistan Fort, located in Orakzai and Kohat.