Paradise regained?

Swat was a paradise on earth before the conflict started in the valley. people would flock to this paradise, especially in the summers. Besides the remains of Ghandara civilisation, Swat is blessed with natural beauty in abundance. It used to be a tourists’ heaven before 2006 but after that it became, or was made by design, a safe haven for terrorists and their apologists. The worst conflict in the history of Pakistan happened here which has left 1.7 million Swatis in a dismal situation, and their image around the world is of terrorists and extremists.

Militancy and counter-militancy affected the valley in every sphere of life but perhaps the worst damage done, among many, was to its tourism. According to an estimate, the tourism industry was afflicted with a loss of over Rs8 billion in the last three years. During these cruel years various tourist resorts namely Kalam, Bahrain, Miyadam, Madyan, Fiza Gat, Malam Jabba and Murghzar were deserted, gloomy and lonely.

After a year of military offences in Swat, Operation Raah-e-Raast, Swatis hoped for a better and bright summer in 2010. Spring came and passed by unnoticed. No tourist ventured to Swat.

In the beginning this summer was no different than the previous ones. The military announced its victory over the militants many times but it seemed the Pakistanis had ceased to believe in such claims. The military also declared to have encouraged the tourists to visit their once cherished destination, however the people of Swat were a bit non-complacent, amidst the scores of check posts scattered in the valley and the frequent target killings.

But as the summer approached cities, tourists were seen in the valley especially in Bahrain and Kalam. In Bahrain a remarkable number of paying-guests have rented homes for two or three months. A similar rise in tourism is visible in Madyan too and a number of tourists from Punjab are seen visiting these towns. This has sprouted hope in people.

The military has by now removed many of the unwanted check posts, which were places of humiliation for the inhabitants, and is also in the mode to encourage people to visit Swat. For this purpose it holds commendable events in the valley. On June 6, the military held a music show in Bahrain where locals and students sang, danced and celebrated. The school girls also held fashion shows.

A similar show is to be conducted in Miyadam on June 20. A festival is in the pipeline for the first week of July, to be held at the Swat river beach in Fiza Gat, near Mingora. A three-day grand festival will also be held in Kalam from July 6 to 8. These festivals are indeed a move in the right direction, and would encourage tourism in Swat. A tourist from Lahore told me a few days ago that Swat is now the safest place in the entire country. These are the signs of a better tomorrow despite the fact that “regaining paradise” will indeed take years.

The People are afraid of the government’s failure to take responsibility in due time, and in an efficient way. The civilian government, yet to be seen in the valley, must introduce mega rehabilitation and development projects.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2010.