Internationally known as home to the world’s second tallest mountain K-2 (8,611meters), Pakistan is a unique country for having five highest mountain peaks

of over 8,000 meters and 108 peaks above 7,000 meters on earth attracting trekkers, mountaineers and adventure sports lovers from across the world to explore.

A country with centuries old Ghandhara and Indus civilizations, indigenous Kalash culture, geographical, and ethnic diversity, Pakistan’s 61 percent areas are covered by mountains including five of the world’s tallest picturesque peaks including K-2 (8,611m), Nanga Parbath (8,126m), Gasherbrum-I (8,068m), Broad Peak (8,047m) and Broad Peak Middle (8016m) that was beyond the human imagination.

Known as mountains’ wonder, Pakistan’s five peaks are among the 14 peaks of above 8,000 meters height found on this planet. The country is also blessed with 108 peaks of above 7,000 meters and thousands more peaks of above 6,000 and 5000 meters height draw mountaineers and adventure sports lovers from across the globe throughout the year.

Blessed with the highest mountains ranges of Hamalya, Karakuram and Hindokash, Pakistan’s northern cities including Gilgit, Chilas, Hunza, Sakardu, Astore in Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Kohistan, Swat, Shangla, Malakand, Buner, Torghar, Abbottabad, Manshera, Suleman Range in DI Khan, merged areas in KP, Murree in northern Punjab and Azad Kashmir are the most suitable for mountains tourism.

In addition to archeological, religious and ecotourism attractions, Khyber Pakthunkhwa has bestowed with over 1,130 mountains peaks including picturesque Tirich Mir (7,708m), the tallest mountain peak in Hindukash range and the world highest outside Himalaya and Karakuram ranges and Boni Zom peak (6,542m) in Chitral, Flask Sair (5,957m) at Ushu Valley, Mankiyal peak (5,650m) in Swat, Malaka Parbath peak (5,290m) at Kaghan Valley Manshera, Miranjani peak (2,992m), Mukeshpur peak (9,200m) in Abbottabad, Koh-e-Suleman peak (3,487m) at DI Khan, and Elum peak (2800m) at Swat-Buner where substantial increase in  number of mountaineers had been witnessed since 2015 courtesy to the present government’s pro-tourism policies and massive investment in tourism sector.

“Swat is my favorite hilly tourist destination due to its seven unique features including tallest snow-clad mountains peaks of Falak Sair, Elum and Mankiyal, 150 kilometers long fresh water of River Swat originating from Gabral mountain range, over 50 high altitude lakes including the famous Mahudhand, Ghandhara sites, Deodar and pine forest, which are second to none in any other districts of Pakistan,” said Manzoorul Haq, former Ambassador of Pakistan while talking to APP.

Appreciating Falik Sair and Elum mountains beauty, he said, “I had travelled to so many countries but could not find mountainous beauty of Swat anywhere that take tourists to lap of serene”, adding, skiing and skating at Malam Jabba, trout fish amid moderate to heavy snowfalls and Swat Motorway are others features making Swat a tourism capital of Pakistan.

The entire Malakand division has been opened for tourism due to Swat Motorway where 1.5 million tourists and adventure sports lovers had visited Swat, 1,20,000 in Kurmat Dir Upper and  500,000 Chitral besides one million to Galiyat and 2,20,000 to Kaghan, Naran during vacations of Eidul Azha last year.

The enhanced roads infrastructure and tourism activities had generated wealth in large scale in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a record Rs 66 billion businesses and Rs 26 billion earned by rural population only from tourism during the Eid vacations.

To reduce tourists load on established hilly stations, the KP Tourism Department and World Bank had signed an MoU for developing tourism integrated zones (ITZs) under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Development Project (KITE).

Tauseef Khalid, Project Director KITE told the news agency that feasibility studies for development of four ITZs at Mankial Swat 754 kanal, Thandiani Abbottabad 640 kanal, Ganol Manshera 480 kanal and Madaklasht Lower Chitral 540 kanal was on advanced stage and work on these new hilly stations would start soon.

“World Bank would provide USD 70 million for ITZs, infrastructure development including widening and rehabilitation of roads and institutional uplift through sustainable tourism development besides protection of heritage sites,” he said, adding, the two roads to ITZs Mankiyal and Thandyani would also be constructed. “These ITZs would be developed by 2025 that would turn Pakistan an international centre for tourists.”

Sajjad Hameed, General Manager, KP Culture and Tourism Authority said 44 MoUs worth USD 8 billion signed between different departments of KP government and international firms during Dubai Expo 2022 where a Malaysian firm conducting feasibility studies on ITZs’ have given detailed presentations to investors.

“Dubai Expo remained highly successful for Pakistan. Foreign investors took keen interest to invest in KP tourism, ITZs and water Sports Theme Park at Hund Swabi district at Duabi Expo,” he said adding, a theme park would be constructed on 400 kanal to promote water sports.  He said a high-level committee under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary KP has been formed for overseeing progress on these MoUs.

Muhammad Ali Syed, General Manager, KPCTA said the proposed 14 kilometers long cable car project to connect Kumrat valley Dir Upper and Madaklasht Chitral Lower would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs 32 billion that on completion would attract over 10 million tourists annually to Malakand division.

Under Waterfall Project, he said waterfalls of Sajkot, Noori, Chajjian Haripur, Jarogo Swat, Lanchar Dir, Umbrella Abbottabad would be developed and new camping pods at Larum Top and Shahin Bin Shahi Lower Dir, Kumrat Dir Upper, Broghal and Sorlaspur at Chitral Upper, Shangla, Samana Haripur, Sulatharn Swat and Kalam would be setup.

Shandor, Broghal and Gabin Jabba festival were planed while Kaghalasht snow festival has recently attracted tourists at Upper Dir in droves. Six new tourism development authorities for Kalam, Kumrat, Galiyat, Kaghan, Kalash and Peshawar were set up.

Ishtaiq Khan, Project Director C&TA for Merged Tribal Districts said that feasibility study of three mega projects including infrastructure development worth Rs three billion, construction of jeepable tracks costing Rs1.5 billion and tourism events in merged areas worth Rs 450 million has been started under Accelerated Implementation Program.

In the first phase, tourism spots would be developed in accessible areas while in the second phase these projects would be expanded to remote and far flung areas besides 10 camping pods would be established in tribal districts.

Abu Zafar Sadiq, Prominent mountaineer and President Alpine Club of Pakistan said Naltar Skardu, Kalam, Trich Mir, Murree and Malam Jabba were the most suitable destination for mountaineering and skiing sports if developed could attract international mountaineers throughout the year with positive impact on national economy.

He said Pakistan’s had produced great mountaineers like Ali Sadpara, Nazir Sabir, Ashraf Aman and Samina Khyal Baig who earned name for the country and Government’s patronage to this sector would help grow sustainable mountain tourism in the country.

HAZARGANJI-CHILTAN NATIONAL PARK

The creator has blessed Pakistan with all sorts of beauty spots. Every province, city, town, and the village is uniquely designed. Some are full deserts with glittering sand. Others are vast plain best for cultivation and many others are dense with forests. Whereas the northern sides are surrounded by dry heightened mountains and some green-covered hilltops. Some mountains are whitened with snow and are home to spring water. In nutshell, Pakistan has every quality of beauty.

But today we will focus on the Baluchistan side. It is the largest province of Pakistan that has distinct landscapes.  Its distinct features may rarely be found elsewhere in the world. From its high mountains to its vast deserts, it provides a variety that suffices to fulfill all sorts of tourists’ wanderlust. Yet there are many things yet to be discovered. The capital of Baluchistan Quetta has its own worth of beauty. It is known as the fruit basket of Pakistan. So let’s explore the national park located in Quetta.

Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park

The park is located in the Suleiman mountain range, about 20 km southwest of Quetta. The area is mountainous with precipitous slopes divided by ravines. The park has been named Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park because Chiltan Hills and Hazar Ganji Range lie west and east of it. You know the word “Hazarganji” means a thousand treasures, and there was a time when it was believed that a thousand treasures are hidden under the mountains of this park. The national park is home to some of the rarest species like Chiltan ibex and Suleiman markhor (wild goat), the national animal of Pakistan. These species are endangered one so that the national park was established in 1980 to preserve them. This park is extended to about 15,555 hectares and provides a safe and secure environment for breeding these endangered species.

Moreover, the park is upgraded with different facilities like a history museum, picnic spots, and accommodation in rest houses. From the museum, one can gain detailed information about the animals found in this park and other areas of the province. The biodiversity of the park is impressive.

Animal Species        

As it is home to around 30 species of mammals including nine species of large mammals and 21 species of small ones. There are approximately 300-400 rare Suleiman markhor and about 800 Chiltan ibexes. Apart from these mammals, Urial sheep are also found on the western slopes between 1500m and 2100m. Other faunas include striped hyena, red fox, Balochistan leopard, caracal, common jackal, Indian crested porcupine, and desert hare.

Bird Species

Besides these rare mammals, 120 species of avifauna can also be found in this park, out of which, 36 are resident, and 84 are migratory. The avifauna here comprises the rare Houbara bustard, griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures, long-billed pipit, Eastern Orphean warbler, variable wheatear, blue rock thrush, whinchat, white-browed bush chat, Indian scops owl, Indian cuckoo, European bee-eater, chukar partridge, laggard falcon, peregrine falcon, and Lichtenstein’s desert finch.  However, in winters, birds like the crested honey buzzard also make Hazarganji Chiltan National Park their home. Whereas, in the summer, the park is used for breeding by some of the unique species like the European nightjar.

The ecological diversified park also provides shelter to 30 species of reptiles. Though the park is not densely covered with trees, quite a few Pashtun junipers, pistachio, almond, and ash trees can be found here.

Moreover, Hazarganji Chiltan National Park provides a serene and healthy environment to its visitors. People who love hiking must visit this beautiful site as it allows for a satisfying experience for the hikers. This park is a package of all-in-one. So why not visit this amazing place and boost your knowledge as well.

Suggestion:

There are many places in Baluchistan that should be explored. And for that, the government needs to support and encourage researchers to reach out and explore them. This can benefit both the locals and also can generate revenue at a national level. Therefore,take a step and introduce the world to beautifully natural Pakistan.

Muhammad Mahmood Alam, often referred to as M.M. Alam, was a legendary Pakistani fighter pilot who gained fame during the 1965 Pak-Indo War. He is celebrated for his exceptional skills and courage in combat, particularly for downing five Indian Hawker Hunter fighter aircraft in a single dogfight in less than a minute. This remarkable achievement earned him the nickname “Little Dragon” and solidified his reputation as one of Pakistan’s most celebrated fighter pilots.

M.M. Alam’s extraordinary feat of shooting down five enemy aircraft in such a short span of time is still regarded as one of the most significant accomplishments in aerial combat history. He was an inspiration to generations of Pakistani pilots and remains a symbol of bravery and skill in the Pakistan Air Force’s history.

While the term “Top Gun” is often associated with elite fighter pilots, it’s essential to note that M.M. Alam achieved legendary status not only within Pakistan but also on the international stage due to his exceptional combat performance. His legacy as a real-life “Top Gun” endures in the annals of aviation history