Without sustenance

By Javed Afridi

The current situation has forced the potential visitor out, bringing the tourism industry in Swat to a complete halt and leaving thousands of inhabitants without their only source of income

Replete with natural beauty, the valley of Swat has always been hailed as one of the country's prime tourist resorts that was also home to the traditionally hospitable natives. Its culturally rich history, exclusive handicrafts and delicacies have intrigued the visitors, from time immemorial. Unfortunately, today, the valley is a picture of anarchy and unrest.

The last few years have seen a harrowingly growing phenomenon of militants that are out to paralyse the functions of the security forces, confining the latter to their camps through a series of bomb blasts and suicide attacks. More recently, the government has sent in paramilitary and regular troops to check the militants' activities, especially after the district administration reportedly started endorsing their warnings.

Once considered a haven for tourists from all over the country as well as the globe, Swat has long depended on the revenue generated through the tourism industry. A rough estimate puts the dependence of more than 60 per cent of the region's inhabitants upon the industry which -- sadly enough -- has come to a complete halt in the wake of the recent clashes between the militants and the security forces, leaving thousands of innocent people without their only source of income.

Mohammad Ali, Tehsil Nazim Poran, who runs a hotel in Kalam valley, says that the subsistence of more than 15 per cent of the locals rested with the business of hotels alone. "All these people were hired on daily wages, but now they are out of work."

There are more than 1200 hotels and resorts in the valley that were functional in serving their guests. However, this year alone, they suffered a huge financial setback as the tourists begin to avoid Swat like plague.

Ibrahim Khan, an instructor at Paithum, the first ever tourism institute in the country, tells TNS that the income generated in the area from trade and industry -- especially the cottage industries such as wool spinning, stone carving, wood carving, ornaments, embroidery and handicrafts -- was dependent on the tourists visiting the place.

"The produce from these industries would find buyers in the tourists visiting the place. And, if they failed to show up, it meant no business," he adds.

Jannat Khan, who hails from the Behrain valley (in Swat) and owns a four-wheeler, says that he was forced to migrate to the lower parts of the Frontier province recently, as he could not make enough money during the tourist season to see him through the entire winter.

Jannat is having to work as a daily wager, because he could not bring his vehicle with him beyond the boundaries of the Malakand region for lack of proper documents.

Khurshid Khan, a Peshawar-based academic, believes that the 'religious class' in the region -- before the establishment of the Swat State, during the period of statehood and after it was over -- was a broad-minded group that was culturally well absorbed in the society.

"They were never rigid in accepting music, games, western dress, TV, internet and the like," writes Khurshid in an online article of his.

He adds that at one point the valley recorded the highest literacy rate for women, compared to its neighbouring districts.

Khurshid Khan is of the view that the people of Swat are feeling helpless in the current situation and are actually disappointed with the role played by the government. They have no option left but to seek the help of the world community and the different human rights organisations for stepping up pressure on Pakistan to save Swat from becoming another Waziristan.

"The people of the region have time and again reminded their MPAs and MNAs to do something about it. To no avail. At last, the district administration signed a treaty with the clergy to save its face.

"Till the early nineties, no one from among the common public or the clergy ever raised any objections regarding the women's education in the valley. The religio-political parties would cast a few thousand votes in the different constituencies of the valley before the 1990s, but they were never able to win an assembly seat on their own," he contends.