Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

A PARADISE FOR TOURISTS

“Heaven on earth” is a sentence often used for most eye catching and beautiful scenic views in different Countries of the World. Switzerland is commonly known as most attractive and beautiful part of the World.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s northern belt is Switzerland of Pakistan. Nature has blessed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with tremendous tourism potential. The scenic valley of Kaghan, Naran up to Babusar Top, Galliat, Madyan, Bahrain, Kalam and Maodhand have a great potential to attract foreign and local tourists from all over Pakistan abroad to visit and enjoy nature every year.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is exceptionally rich in terms of tourist attraction, visible from the most attractive natural picturesque comprising beautiful rivers of Swat, Kunhar, splended waterfalls, spell bound lakes like Saiful Maluk, Aansoo, Maodhand, Dodiput and many more located in the mountainous region and lush green valleys of Hazara and Swat clearly showing heaven on earth. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained seat of different mighty civilizations having flourished and vanished with the passage of time. History of such heritage are evident from Gandhara Archeological site at Takht Bahi, Seri Behlol, Shahbaz Garhi (District Mardan) Nimogram Budhist Stupa (Swat) Chakdara Museum and Peshawar Museum.

Physiography

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is broadly divided in three different zones. The northern part of the Province is adorned with beautiful valleys having five rivers running roughly north to south. These valleys are on the Northern edge of monsoon belt, fairly green. Hazara Division starting from Jhahri Kas is a gateway of heaven having more than 10,000 sq. Km.

Internationally known Karakoram Highway also known as Shahrae Resham is one of the highest paved International Road having 1300 KM length starts from Hassan Abdal and ends at Kashgar, Xinjiang China. It is 8th wonder of the World. It was opened for general public in 1986.

Mighty Indus River flows through the entire Hazara Division. Hill Stations commonly known as Galliat and Kaghan Valley are the most attractive belts for tourists.

Khanpur Dam located on Haro River falls at a distance of 40 KM from Islamabad. It caters domestic water requirements of Islamabad / Rawalpindi beside irrigation water for Agriculture purpose in the region. Khanpur Dam is also an attractive site for tourist’s interest in water games and boating.

Abbottabad at one time was a summer station of elites and a famous cantonment having set up of FF Regmental Center, Baluch Center and Headquarter of Army Medical Corp. Pakistan’s first ever Military Academy Kakul with it prestigious buildings is also located in Abbaottabad. Abbottabad is located at central point easily reachable from Peshawar, Islamabad and Galliat.

Another less developed tourist station in Hazara Division is Thandiani meaning “Cold” falling at 2700 meters above sea level. Thandiani has thick forests with zero level pollution and great scenic attraction for tourists.

Nathiagali one of the most beautiful and tourist friendly environment is a clad pine, walnut, oak and maple trees. It falls at a distance of 34 KM from Abbottabad and 80 KM from Islamabad. It is 2501 meter above sea level and surrounded by mighty mountain Miranjani and Mushkpuri, thick forests and other lofty mountains. In the old times Capital of NWFP was shifted to Nathiagali in Summer. Beautiful class hotels and public sector rest houses are available for tourists. Heavy snow fall in winter is a regular feature but GDA ensures clearance of road to facilitate locals and tourists

Ayubia named after Field Marshal Ayub Khan is another cluster of four small hill stations of Khanaspur, Khairagali, Changlagali and Goragali. Ayubia is visited by almost all tourists visiting Murree and Nathiagali in the wake of Chairlift, giving a panoramic and mesmerizing view of surroundings. Chairlift at Ayubia has completed its life and KP-BOIT is on its way to replace it with a modern Chairlift with recreation allied facilities at Bottom and Top.

Kaghan Valley is the most attractive tourist destination, having 160 KM long route and between 2000 - 4000 meters above sea level at different sites. Towering peaks of Himalaya range, gigantic glaciers, beautiful waterfalls and crystal clear blue water of lakes in Kaghan Valley are a pristine state and make the valley an unspoiled paradise. Trout fish one of the most delicious cuisine is a product of cold river of Kunhar. Shogran is another developed tourist destination having ideally located Forest Rest Houses and Hotels in private sector. Naran falling on altitude of 2498 meter at a point where the valley widens. Naran is mostly visited tourist destination in Summer. Standard hotels, local market and jeeps are available to visit Lake Saiful Maluk. Naran is starting point for Lake Saiful Maluk, Batakundi, Lalazar, Lake Lulusar and Babusar Pass. Lake Saiful Maluk falling at a distance of 10 KM from Naran is reachable by jeeps only. Khyber Pakhutunkhwa Board of Investment & Trade (KP-BOIT) is on its way to install a chairlift from Naran to Lake Saiful Maluk to ensure comfort and security of the visiting tourists. The project of Chairlift is hope fully to be completed in 2016.

Malakand Division covering one third of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also another tourist attraction on earth in the wake of its distinctive features. White Palace once Summer residence of Ruler of Swat is mostly visited venue by the tourists. Madyan and Bahrain falling on the way to Kalam are two beautiful tourist destinations on the bank of river Swat. Both towns attract tourist for their friendly environment, Swat handicrafts, trout hatchery and wooden carved fixtures.

In between Mingora and Madyan to the right lies the most scenic town of Malam Jabba. Malam Jabba is one of the top ten most adventurous ski resorts in the world and the largest ski resort in Pakistan. The resort of Malam Jabba is more than 2,550 meters above the sea level and is at five-hour drive from Islamabad. The resort was established by the Government of Pakistan with the technical assistance of its Austrian counterpart on approximately 275 Acres land. Unfortunately, during the militancy period in Swat in the year 2007-08, the facility was totally destroyed by the militants. Consequent upon restoration of complete peace in the valley, to build / present the soft image of Swat valley and restore the confidence of tourists the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa decided to revive the Malam Jabba Resort.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT) in collaboration with Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) advertised the Malam Jabba Ski / Chairlift and Hotel Project and awarded the Project to the Private investor on long lease. The investor has already started work on the Project and completed three story structure of Hotel while installation of Chairlift is in progress. The project will be a state of the art destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.

Mian Dam is also another Tourist Resort having PTDC Motel, Naval Mess and Local Hotel and beautiful scenic valley.

Kalam is exceptionally rich in terms of multitude of tourist attraction. It has beautiful valleys of Ushu (2286 m) Utroat (2225 m) and Gabral (2550 m) accessible through thick pine forests. Maodhand lake falling 23 KM beyond Mataltan Valley is another tourist destination. Kalam has beautiful hotels on the bank of River Swat.

Chitral is the Jewel of Hindukash guarded by Majestic Tirichmir Peak. It falls at a distance of 322 KM from Peshawar. The entire area is mountainous having green valleys and fountains of sweet water including “Garam Chashma”. Another scenic valley for tourist is Dir, located at the foothills of Lowaripass road connecting Dir and Chitral. Kumrat is one of the destination for visitors with outstanding landscape featured by hilly terrain, green meadows and rushing streams.

Government Initiatives

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government is devising its strategy to drive the economic growth of the Province. With limited resource base, the present Government is focusing to boost the Provincial economy. Tourism is one of the focus area and on priority list of the Government due its wide ranging socio-economic impact

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade is working in collaboration with Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for promotion of tourism in the Province by attracting private investment in the sector. The efforts are towards unlocking the huge untapped potential in tourism sector and market the immense diversity, hospitality, rich cultural heritage, centuries old civilizations, beautiful natural resources and sites for hotel resorts, theme adventure parks etc. Different projects have been identified including tourist recreational and adventure parks at Abbottabad, Tourist village and base camp at Dadar Mansehra, tourist resort at Bahrain Swat. These projects will soon be offered for private investment.

Recently Provincial Government has launched Tourism Policy with the aim to reposition Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a prime destination for domestic and international tourists by following a sustainable tourism development strategy, infrastructure development, investment promotion and conservation of natural and cultural heritage.

All those interested to see heaven on earth are cordially invited to visit Northern belt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, explore nature and enjoy friendly tourism Environment of your own Country.