ONCE the battleground of militants, the scenic remote Tirah valley in Khyber tribal district is gradually coming out of war ravages, lawlessness and is fast becoming a spellbinding destination for domestic tourists and casual visitors.

Despite poor infrastructure, lack of health and education facilities, thousands of visitors toured to the remote Tirah valley during recent Eidul Azha holidays to enjoy pleasant weather, tribal hospitality, traditional foods and sights and sounds of the region once infested with militants.

The scenic valley is located around 90 km away to the southwest of Peshawar and can be easily reached through Bara tehsil of Khyber. According to locals, if about 41 km road from Bara to Mastak, points near Tirah valley, is metalled, the car drive from Peshawar to Tirah Maidan will be reduced to just a few hours.

Owing to unabated terrorist activities and several military operations during the last few decades, the beautiful Tirah Maidan valley was devastated and rendered a place good enough for ghosts as a large number of its dwellers had left it and were located to down country for a long time.

After the security forces cleared the valley and peace was restored, the internally displaced persons (IDPs) returned to their destroyed homes and life gradually began taking a new shape in the region with a hope to reclaim the peace and serenity and show to the world that life was never like that in the mountainous area filled with a magical beauty and inhabited by people, who loved peace, hospitality and had a strong belief in co-existence.

Home to six major Afridi tribes including Barqambarkhel, Malikdinkhel, Shalubar, Adamkhel, Zakhakhel and Kamarkhel, Tirah valley is replete with roaring waterfalls, thick natural forests, high mountain peaks, lush green passes, clear water streams and natural water springs. It has hundreds of picnic spots where local people pay regular visits on different occasions and arrange musical concerts in which folk singers perform. The people also enjoy traditional foods there under the tall shady trees beside a crystal clear water stream.

Akhtar Ali Afridi, a young reporter based in Tirah Maidan, told this scribe that around 45,000 to 60,000 tourists from parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa visited various picnic resorts in the region during the Eidul Azha holidays.

He claimed that the number of tourists was unprecedented in the history of the erstwhile restive tribal region. He said that the credit went to the security forces that not only cleared the area of militants but also fascinated the return of thousands of IDPs.

“This encouraged the domestic tourists to visit Tirah to feel its natural beauty and see its real face. Though there is no rest house or proper arrangements for nocturnal stay of the visiting guests but still people came in drove. I strongly believe Tirah Maidan can become the most favourite destination for domestic as well as foreign tourists. Also 80 per cent jobless tribal youth would benefit from the business activity to be generated through tourism in the region,” said Mr Afridi.

Wali Jan, another young resident of Tirah Maidan, said that the entire valley was untapped when it came to tourism as it had remained a “black hole” for the outside world. He said that all six Afridi tribes in Tirah Maidan had many tourist attractions under their control.

He said that Saran Sar, Haider Kandau, Bhutan Sharif, Khawajakhel Darra, Takhtakai Kamarkhel, and Malkeenkhel were just a few to name. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had pledged in his inaugural speech to the nation that he would promote tourism industry and would open four new resorts every year to attract domestic and foreign tourists.

“I would appeal to officials of KP tourism department to set up rest houses and PTDC restaurant in Tirah Maidan area. This way a large number of local youth would get job opportunities and also would help to boost business activities. Even local business tycoons could be invited to invest in the Tirah tourism,” said Mr Jan. About the security clearance process, a local security official said that the process of entry to Tirah Maidan had been made simple as security officials at the checkposts at various places helped the visitors to move to Tirah and enjoy the stunning beauty of the region.

“Our personnel facilitate the visitors keeping in view the social and cultural values. The local population helps us to do the job in a befitting manner as they are peace-loving, hospitable and want to develop their area. I am happy that Tirah people love Pakistan more than others. Yes, opportunities are there for boosting tourism sector,” he said.

Sajjad Rahman, a resident of Mardan, said that it had been his dream to visit Tirah valley and it came true when he along with his college friends toured to his dream valley a week ago. He said the first sight of the destroyed homes saddened him as he passed through the areas once plagued by terrorists. “I was shocked to see destruction everywhere, homes, schools and health units were in ruins. Most projects seemed uncompleted and even road from proper Bara city to Mastak point was bumpy and broken,” he elaborated.

Mr Rahman, however, painted a beautiful picture after he reached Tirah Maidan where he had witnessed tall old trees, green fields, water streams, mud homes and tribal traditions. “Tirah valley could be tapped as one of most beautiful tourist spots due to its matchless serenity and natural beauty,” he added.

Iqbal Afridi, the MNA of the ruling PTI from NA-44, Bara, when contacted, said that Tirah Maidan valley people had suffered greatly at the hands of militancy.

He said he was well aware of issues of the area and would raise strong voice to highlight longstanding hardships of his people including rehabilitation, health, education and tourism.

“Peace is the first prerequisite for human development. Peace cannot be imposed. Real peace comes through human development, and resolution of pressing needs of the people. The construction of Bara-Mastak road would be started soon. Tirah Maidan valley, if properly exploited, would prove the most frequented tourist spot so much so that the visitors would include it in their must-see places list after Swat,” said the lawmaker.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2018