View of the White Palace, a tourist resort, in the Marghazar valley in Swat. photo: Fazal Khaliq
SWAT: Before the insurgency in Swat, tourists of many nationalities would visit Swat to enjoy the picturesque views and calming effect of the valley.
Places like Madyan, Bahrain and Kalam valley would be flooded with tourists from all over the world, but all this changed after the Taliban took over the region.
To make matters worse, the floods washed away roads and homes, leaving the valley disconnected from the rest of the country.
With most the roads in Swat washed away, the Marghazar valley was the only place that was accessible to tourists. Famous for the Sufaid Mahal (White Palace), now a tourist resort, built in 1941 by Miangul Abdul Wadood, the valley was visited by many tourists this Eidul Azha.
The white marble of the palace was brought in from Bhopal and the palace was designed by Victorian architects. Nearly 14 kilometers away from Mingora, parts of the palace were destroyed in the recent floods that hit the region.
The valley attracts tourists for its majestic beauty and serenity, where high peak mountains surround a stream flowing form the Elum hill in a coiled approach.
A Large number of tourists on Eid day could be seen sitting along the crystal clear water of the stream sipping hot tea while some were enjoying a meal with their families up in the green hills.
Shaukat Sharar, an architect and social activist of the area, sitting along the stream said, “We only live once so we need to enjoy life to the fullest. People here are full of life and are resilient.”
The valley was so full of people that it was difficult to get through the crowd and cars were stuck in traffic jams for hours on end. The markets were full of life while local people were seen selling and haggling with potential customers light heartedly.
Restaurants were brimming with people who were enjoying the food and scenic views.
Umar Hayat, a resident of the valley and sells walnuts, told The Express Tribune, “With the grace of Allah our business is now very good; when people come to the valley it adds to our incomes.
“I have been selling walnuts that grow in this valley; I used to earn Rs 2,500 to 3,000 a day before the insurgency but then everyone stopped coming here, these days I can earn up to Rs 800.”
Marghazar valley offers beautiful views to tourists and was host to thousands of people this Eid. The local people have appealed to the government to help rehabilitate the region so they can once again develop their tourism industry and earn higher incomes.
The insurgency left the people of Swat demoralised and burdened but they showed resilience and are ready to bring their lives back on track.
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