Tourists start returning to Kaghan valley

Tourists throng picnic spots after rehabilitation of highway

BALAKOT:

Tourists have started returning to Kaghan valley after the rehabilitation of the Kaghan highway, which was blocked by flash floods at several spots

The picturesque landscape, springs, waterfalls, clouds twinkling with mountains, and sprawling meadows from Lake Saiful Malook to Babusar Top ready to welcome tourists.

The Naran Hotels’ Association has also announced a discount for tourists for the autumn season.

Domestic and foreign tourists visiting the valley have started flocking to Lake Saiful Mulook and other places, where previously tourism activities had stopped for several days due to floods. After the recent rains in the Kaghan Valley, tourism activities are bringing back the valley's vibrancy. On the Kaghan Highway from Balakot to Babusar Top, a large number of tourists are seen heading towards the valley.

A large number of tourists visiting Naran seem to make a memorable day trip to Lake Saiful Mulook. Be it boating or river rafting in the Kunhar River, tourists are enjoying the adventure. Men, women, and children are enjoying horse riding by the lake.

The Naran Hotels’ Association has announced a 50% discount on room bookings and a 25% discount on food items and jeep rent to enhance the experience of the incoming tourists.

Talking to The Express Tribune Naran Hotel Association President Seth Matiullah said that the association is offering up to 50% discount to the tourists so that the tourists can come here and enjoy the beautiful weather.

According to National Highway Authority officials, their machinery is always present on the Kaghan Highway. Even during the recent rains, they have been trying to keep the highway open for traffic at all times, they added.

Electricity crisis in Manor Valley

Several former ministers recently visited flood-affected areas of Manoor valley. While examining the damages caused by the floods, they met the affected shopkeepers and expressed grief over the financial losses.

Former Federal Minister Sardar Shahjahan Yousuf announced that the electricity crisis in the valley will be resolved within two weeks while a new bridge will also be constructed after the consultation with NHA.

Former Federal Minister Sardar Shahjahan Yousuf, Mian Ziaul Rehman, Syed Junaid Ali Qasim Syed and Tehsil Nazim Balakot Ibrahim Shah, GM NHA Shoaib Khattak, DD NHA Javed Saifullah, SD WAPDA and other officers were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Shahjahan Yousuf said that a mobile utility store will be available for the public where they could buy food items at cheaper prices.

While appreciating the work of NHA, he said they were quick to act by turning the direction of the Manoor Naala. He appreciated GM-NHA Shoaib Khattak, DD Javed Saifullah, and Inspector Latif Anwar for being exemplary in their tasks. NHA immediately installed four machines in the area to secure the area, he added.

He claimed that the federal government stands with the flood victims and has therefore given Rs10 billion to the provincial government for flood-affected regions.

He criticised the provincial government and said that it had completely failed to provide relief activities in the flood-affected areas. He further said that the provincial government has been unable to begin the rehabilitation process even after 10 days of flooding in the area.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th, 2022.