SWAT, Nov 20 (APP): The cold breeze that sweeps through Swat in November carries more than a hint of winter but it brings with it a familiar thrill for thousands of tourists waiting to witness the first snowfall on the hills of Malam Jabba, Pakistan’s famous winter wonderland.
This year is no different for adventure sports and ice hockey enthusiasts in Malam Jabba floaded with tourists and adventure seekers amid hide and seek between sun and clouds leaving mesmerizing effects on minds of the visitors arrived with families.
As the Met Office forecasts fresh snowfall for Friday, the slopes of Malam Jabba have already begun to echo with the laughter, footsteps and excitement of visitors eager to embrace the coming winter season.
For many, this journey to Swat is not merely a vacation but it is a return to a place where nature’s charm, adventure sports and cultural heritage merge into an unforgettable experience.
Swat’s natural grandeur remains unmatched as it is home to more than 50 lakes, among them the spectacular Mahodand Lake, a two-kilometre stretch of crystal water nestled at 2,865 meters in Usho Valley.
Beyond Malam Jabba, tourists flock to Kalam, the jewel of upper Swat, with its cool breeze, trout-filled rivers and serene boat rides at Gabral and Ushu being tributaries of the mighty River Swat.
In nearby valleys such as Matiltan, Utror, Gabral and Kundol, hotels and rest houses are teeming with visitors, trekkers, snowboarders, mountaineers and families who seek the calm and beauty that only nature can offer.
“Kalam’s beauty is amazing. The River Swat flowing through the valley enhances its charm and makes it an ideal winter tourism destination of Pakistan,” said Nasir Khan, a property dealer from Nowshera, who visits annually.
“The waterfalls, the whitish-blue water, the hide-and-seek of clouds and sun it pulls you in. And this year, my joy doubled because Swat Expressway saved me two hours of travel.”
Swat is not just a valley of scenic wonders but it is also the cradle of the ancient Gandhara civilization. For archaeologists, monks and followers of Buddhism, the region remains a spiritual and historical treasure.
The recent discovery of 2,000-year-old Buddhist frescoes at Abba Saib Cheena, believed to be used for educational and religious purposes, has once again placed Swat on the global archaeological map.
To unlock KP’s tourism potential, especially in remote valleys, the provincial government is strengthening road connectivity, which is an essential ingredient for boosting tourism and reducing poverty.
A spokesperson of the KP Culture and Tourism Authority (KP C&TA) shared that multiple development projects are underway to ease access to existing tourist hubs and explore new destinations during winter.
Among them is the emerging Ganool Tourism Valley, a scenic site poised to draw thousands once fully developed.
Major infrastructure schemes include Kalam–Kumrat Road, Ayun–Kalash, Bumborat and Rambur Valley Roads, Chitral–Garam Chashma Road, unlocking the Malakand and Chitral regions for year-round tourism.
Substantial financial resources are being spent on roads in tourist areas of Malakand, Hazara divisions, Sheikh Badin (D.I. Khan), and on uplift of new tourist spots in KP.
To further widen access, KP plans to build jeepable tracks in Upper Swat, Kaghan Mansehra and Nathiagali Abbottabad, opening lesser-known valleys to adventure lovers and creating new avenues of employment for local communities.
Several trekking tracks that are some historic, others newly carved are being developed to enrich the tourist experience.
These include 40 km Thandyani–Nathiagali track, passing century-old Dagri Bangla and Miranjani Top, Mahnoor–Biyari Forest–Ansoo Lake-Saiful Malook multi-day journey.
Shinkyari Top–Kand Bangla–Shaheed Pani–Nadi Bangla–Mosamasla trail, stretching over 40 km, rest houses, washrooms and trained guides will be stationed along these routes for the ease of trekkers.
Alongside infrastructure, KP Govt is also promoting cultural heritage restoring Kalash culture, improving traffic flow at tourist spots, deploying tourism police, leasing heritage rest houses to the private sector and shifting camping pods to scenic sites.
Ten new camping pod sites are being identified, while surveys continue in the seven tribal districts of the merged areas to set up picnic spots, rest houses, festivals and tourism activities. Once complete, these areas are expected to become vibrant new tourism hubs.
Perhaps the most ambitious among KP’s initiatives is the proposed 14-kilometre Kumrat–Madaklasht cable car project, which, once completed, will be among the world’s longest and highest cable cars. It is expected to bring 10 million tourists annually to the region.
The experts said that PTI Govt has promised construction of Dir Expressway but work on it was yet to start on the mega project, which are negativy impacting on tourism in Dir and Chitral.
The poor roads connectivity prior to Kumrat in Dir Upper are hampering tourism in the scenic area, and KP Govt has been urged to construct better roads to explore Kumrat beauty before world.
From the slopes of Malam Jabba to the valleys of Chitral, KP’s investment in connectivity is more than just road building rather it is a lifeline for communities whose livelihoods depend on tourism.
Every kilometre of new road brings economic opportunity. Every tourist brings new income. And every development project strengthens the promise of a prosperous, peaceful and welcoming Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
As snowy winter approaches and the first flakes fall on Malam Jabba, the region prepares not only for another tourist season but for a future defined by growth, accessibility and hope of economic prosperity through tourism.