Journey of Swat valley from Terrorism to Tourism – By : Jana Awez 

Journey of Swat valley from Terrorism to Tourism –
By : Jana Awez

Swat, a scenic valley in north-western Pakistan, which is often called Switzerland of Pakistan because of its snow-covered mountains and lush green landscapes. The dark chapter (in the history of swat) started when the Taliban entered swat valley.

Following the fall of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, the Taliban entered the tribal areas of Pakistan (including Swat). Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) appeared as a militant aggressor organization in 2006. At that time Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal(MMA) (a coalition of six religious political parties) was in power in KP (2002-2007). Mullah Fazal Ullah had been emerged as TTP Swat commander. The armed forces of TTP captured key towns of swat and started killing police officers, and government officials etc.

The Taliban were looking forward to implement Shariah law in the locale. Soon they got a stronghold on the region they had taken several measures such as, they banned TV, crusaded against girls’ education. A data shared states that 173 schools were blown up by the Taliban out of which 105 were girls’ schools. They utilized the radio broadcast to report who might be captured or killed for disobedience of their unforgiving rule, public hanging had become a common thing in the region. It was necessary for every woman to cover herself from head to toe in a traditional gown (topi wala burqa). Noble laureate Malala Yousufzai was also attacked in 2012 for speaking out for girls’ education. About one-third of people had left the valley and shifted to the diaspora from a land that was once a tourist destination.

From MMA Awami National Party (ANP) took over the charge of KP government after the 2008 general elections. ANP tried to do peace talks with TTP since it took the hold of KP government. ANP introduced Nizam-e-Adal Regulation (NAR) to put up TTP demand of enforcement of sharia law but peace did not return to the swat and Malakand region. Finally, ANP requested army support to clear the area.

ANP tenure end by 2013 general elections and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came into power. PTI always demanded the withdrawal of the army from the region because the direct victims of the war (between army and Taliban) were innocent citizens. PTI government introduced new anti and counter-terrorism laws which include the explosive substance act, Restriction of Rented Buildings Act, Security of Sensitive, Vulnerable Establishments Act, and Police Act.

After the APS attack of December 2014 federal government came to the forefront and introduced the first-ever counter-terrorism strategy called the National Action Plan (NAP). With the help of the federal government and army, the PTI government was finally able to bring peace back to the region.

Pakistan army on Monday October 22^nd, 2018 said it “successfully” wrapped up its decade-long anti-Taliban offensive in the restive valley of Swat.

“Today is our victory day and we proudly announced that now there is no presence of any terrorist hideouts in Swat as Pakistan military successfully defeated them and destroyed all their hideouts in Swat and other parts of Malakand region,” said by Mehmood Khan, chief minister KP during a ceremony to mark the end of the operations and handover of powers to civilian authorities after 11 years of military rule in the region.

Due to long-lasting efforts, the PTI government was able to restore harmony to the region in its first tenure, and now after 2018, the government seemed very successful in restoring the tourism of the region due to the efforts and strategies.

Swat valley is today categorized in four integrated tourism zones (ITZ) in KP. Tourism is one of the major focuses of PTI government so for this purpose the government has formed a national tourism coordination board (NTCB) to develop and enhance the coordination among provinces, federal ministries, and private sectors.

Swat motorway, the first-ever motorway constructed by the KP government was launched by the PTI government that reduces the traveling time between swat and Islamabad (around 247km) by 3hours. Pakistan Makes Major Strides as British high commission declared Pakistan as a safe place to visit for UK citizens after conducting a thorough examination of Pakistan’s internal security. This came ensuing to the reestablishment of trips to the country by British Airways (that was stopped in 2008), just as the high-profile Royal visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Pakistan.

The International Snowboarding Championship started off in the scenic Malam Jabba tourist resort of Swat valley on 18-23 January 2021. Players from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Holland participated in snowboarding, joint slalom, and parallel joint slalom competition which turned the eyes of the whole world toward Pakistan. International mountain day was celebrated in swat by KP government. A bike rally was held to Gabeen Jabba and Bishigram swat.

PTI government is taking serious steps for promoting tourism and thus tourism reaches its new peaks in Eid holidays where over 60,000 tourist vehicles entered swat valley.  Pakistan in March announced a visa on arrival policy for five countries including Turkey, China, Malaysia, UAE, and the U.K. in a move to boost tourism.

And thus, the breathtaking valley which was once became the ground of Taliban’s fighting in 2007 returned to usual situations and is now enticing and welcoming foreigners.

“Foreigners and local tourists would enjoy the hospitality of local Pashtun people but they must respect the local culture and customs,” Khan said.