The motorway to Swat

Swat is known as the Switzerland of Pakistan. It comprises some of the greenest valleys of northern Pakistan and is well connected to the rest of the country. It also has the River Swat, which is a clear-water river originating in the mountains and spreading to the entire valley.

A few days ago, a news item gave details about plans for the construction of a motorway to the Swat Valley. If this project sees completion, it could benefit tourism immensely as tourists would be able to explore the beauty of the valley, enhancing their interest in the mountainous region. This would be a welcome development as opposed to doing nothing about preconceived notions that people may have about visiting the valley.

Due to the poor state of road communications, in the past visitors have faced hardships along with always having the fear at the back of their minds regarding the prevailing militant threat. Militancy, more than anything else, has damaged tourism in the area.

The motorway project is being pursued by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister in the greater interest of the region and this is welcome news, particularly for the residents of the Malakand division and for the betterment of the area in general, not to mention the positive impact this could have on the overall progress of the country.

However, despite all the positives, one cannot agree with the chief minister when he says that if the federal government denies financial support for the project, then the provincial government will provide it. This is illogical because this project comes under the domain of the National Highway Authority and not the provincial government. Such a step, if taken by the provincial government, would be unethical.

The highest priority should be given to the development of the region and making it tourist-friendly, and both the federal and provincial governments should cooperate when it comes to handling this project. They should make plans for handling the heavy tourist traffic to the area and administer the layout of the roads and other infrastructure. At the same time, care should be taken to address all environmental concerns related to the construction of the motorway.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1st, 2015.