Tourism: A potential industry for Pakistan

Sayed Sajid Shah Bokhari

Tourism is the only industry which possesses multidimensional aspects. It gives exposure to individual to learn and enjoy while base to the government for earning more through revenue generation. The world has closely focused on Tourism industry for strengthen the economy of country and giving opportunities to develop.

The land of Pakistan possesses diversity in its texture. Its physiology and geography have unique status in the world. It contains a lot of natural resources and potential but lacking the ability of rulers and representatives to utilize it properly. It has strong background of Islamic perspective.

Though it caught the foot prints of Alexander the great on Indus Valley site in 324 BC. All the Great warriors of the world had crossed the sub-continent at least once in life and left everlasting impacts on the masses culture and civilization forever. The Persian, Arian, Indian and Ghandhara art, civilization had predominant features on its soil. The Hindues, Sikhs, English, Budhha ruled it for many centuries and had deepest links with all the religions and civilization of the world.

The archeological backgrounds and heritage of Pakistan shows that it was a land of peace, tranquility, income and stability so every warrior prefers it to be stationed here. The relics of Moein Jo Daro, the ruins of Taxila, Butkada Swat, had enrich legacy where tourists from the world came to visit the cities regularly. The Badshai mosque of Lahore, Jehangir Mosque in Sindh, Mohabat Khan Mosque at Peshawar, the Faisal Mosque at Islamabad are the unique places of attraction for tourist. During Covaid-19 tourism suffers badly.

However, in the last one and half year its worth has increased up to 30 percent level but it needs more focus? Still the security threats and natural calamities had hindered the potential areas to be explored. Unfortunately, the lacking facilities like roads, communications channels, hotels, attractive spots has made it more difficult for the Tourists to enjoy the journey. The Pakistan tourism development corporation (PTDC) has wide network but it lack the capacity to explore the neglected areas like district Shangla to be included in tourists spots. Today the traditional approach of tourism has been changed with innovative system but we don’t recognize it.

Although the world generate billions of dollars annually as revenue generation from Tourism industry but Pakistan pay less attention that’s too in developed areas like Kaghan, Naran, Gilgit, Baltistan and Chitral and ignore the beautiful cites to explore. Although the UNESCO has declared some spots as heritage but still it needs focus on beautiful but underdeveloped area to be promoted. Tourism is a vast field of travelling to an area of more scenic view, historical places and archeological sites.

The strongest nations in the world have already adopted a tangible plan and integrated approach for survival through tourism. When we talk about Europe, Africa and Asia we can never ignore Singapore, Switzerland, France, Turkey, Egypt and Balkan states.

Even the most powerful Arab country Saudi Arabia has decided to construct Neon city and attract the world for boosting its economy. Already the UAE a country of deserts had constructed Burjei Khalifa to earn huge amount through Tourist visits.

The Suez Canal had billion of income generation annually. Still the Egypt economy depends on the annual income of Pyramides. Pakistan being a land of beautiful valleys could not attract Tourists due to its poor plan and traditional approach.
The natural resources and locked potential even at Baluchistan Reddick plan had imposition of billions of dollars although, it contains huge amount of Gold. The Diamonds of swat and Shangla have no worth to sustain our economy Tourism department plays major role to divert the attention of tourist to invest. The role of Media, communication and advertisement is no doubt of great importance. The means of communication, transportation, hoteling, small business industry set up and Brushers and information Desks can also play vital role to attract the people charm. In Pakistan the Silk was built in a period of 10 years (1966-1976) after a long struggle and mark of friendship between Pakistan and China.

It goes through Shangla along Indus River (more than 360 Km) but has been ignore by government to make it valuable and worthy for tourist attractions and boosting economy of Shangla and Kohistan. Although this road (Shara-e-Resham) silk route was called the 8th wonder of the world. Even the Thakot Bridge constructed on River Indus at Dandai is one of the beautiful scenes in Shangla and a large number of Tourists come every year to enjoy it.

However, just adjacent to Dandi at Takhta Alexander the Great had stationed for a while before passing towards the valley of Chakiser in next expeditions. On the other side of the valley(the valley of Khana) the dense forest of sprouse, fur, koil at Olander and Ajmeer presents a beautiful outlook leads to Spin Ghar(a mountain always cover with snowfall) but is still ignore area. Once in 1919, the historian Aurial Austain crossed the valley from Lilwoani and reached to Kana Valley in 3-5 feet snow and describe the valley as paradise on earth. The most important in the valley of Khana is the Beharam Lake. Behram was prince and Badri Jmala was her adored. This was a period of fantasy and they came here to stay in between the lofty mountains forever. There was garden where flowers blossom in the month of July, August with unique taste and colour to represent the lover’s background.

The area from Logai to Behram Lake has a distance of 8 kilometer and if the road construction ensured maximum output could be expected of the valley. The conifers, Deodar, spur and other specious of plants along with Medicinal plants in the dense forests located at High altitude Mountains could be source of revenue generation and attraction if planned. The only plant once exists in the dense forest of Ajmmer logai was called Texas Baceeta but it does not exists now.

The Flora and Fauna of the district Shangla is washing speedily and the fear of exists majority of the specious from the area will cease forever if not protected properly. What could be seen in the dense forest of Yakhtangey, Shalkoo sar, Bahdar Sar, Kafar Banda, Peer Sar and many other spots can attracts thousands of Tourists if developed by PTDC. If the Tourism Department advertise it properly it will enhance the opportunities of tourism on large scale.

The Sub Divisions of district Shngla called Puran (alouch) and Martoong possess historical values, archaeological background and heritage in large numbers but underestimated and ignored by government. Shangla was kept in dark in the past. It was exploited by the rulers. Today the people of Shangla are the most deprived masses in the province.

The Socio-economic conditions of the poor’s are on stake and they needs livelihood for survival. At the moment integrated plan is required to save Shangla and its soil from further decay. Tourism is the only industry which can provide an opportunity to the masses to be developed. If the stakeholders (Agriculturist, forest department, Tourism industry, social welfare, archeology and heritage departments pay attention the area can be turned as best source of income for the native and country growth.