Swat The Switzerland of Pakistan

A 40 kilometres ride of a taxi with a mass destruction smell was memorable because most of the time I breath with my mouth not from my nose. We reached at capital of swat saidu shareef.  The city of swat Calles Switzerland of Pakistan in past but now days a military operation is in process due to Taliban influence so Switzerland changes into rubble. Landscapes are charismatic rises with Swat River to Hindu Kush mountain rang. Udyana is the ancient name of the city from that century many invaders make this city a battle ground like Alexander the great from Greek. And in Greek time city names were found as Ora and Bazira and after that in 2^nd century city and surrounding were occupied by Buddhists. That’s why we saw many places where Buddha’s status is seated. Many lakes and hiking points are located in city and also just outside the city. Our host in swat was a former major from FF(Frontier force) he warm welcome us and entertain with nice coffee. He told us that few months ago Taliban captured almost whole city. But thanks to Pakistan army they drove back the Taliban. But they are still trying to fight back. The tactics they are using is to blow up government buildings and schools. Mortar attacks and suicide attacks. During our discussion a man comes into room and asks us to do not go outside. I look at major he define me that there is intelligent reports that Taliban are about to attack some areas of city. Suddenly explosion shakes the room. I jumped over the chair and take cover behind the dining table. We heard 2 or 3 massive explosions along with gun fire. After 15 minutes everything goes calm. I was thinking about my decision to visit swat. But now I have to face these. Our informer told us that 25 Taliban attack the outpost of city with one suicide attack helped with mortars. Thank god no one hurt badly. In next 3 days we visit 3 lakes kundol lake, Bashigram Lake, and spin Khwar Lake including swat museum. In museum we saw gandhara sculptures and many things that belong to Buddhists. In these 3 days we heard firing and small explosion almost every day but luckily we remain safe and come back to Peshawar to prepare for next tour of Karachi.

Swat My 1st flight

Back in summer of 2004 i manage to visit the most dangerous place on earth. the tribal areas of Pakistan in Khyber pakhtunkhwa province with neighbouring country Afghanistan which is dangerously patch up with this region. in that area most of the peoples belongs from pashtun tribes. I and my guide arrived at Peshawar international airport early in morning. And i felt that my stomach was empty as hell. So we decide to take something to eat. We eat traditional paratha (type of bread cooked in oil) after that cup of tea make me more kinetic.peoples wearing different clothes especially women was looking like a camouflage property. It is very common thing to see men having a long beard. Anyway at that time i received call from one of my friend who manages to get permeation for me to visit these areas. Told me that we should reach at our next stop sawat before evening because it is very risky to travel in these areas in evening. You can be killed by someone not just for the wealth or something but also for being a foreigner. It is very painful to killed from far away from your home so we arrange a taxi. My driver takes my suitcase. And open the back door of taxi. With missing heart beats I take my seat. Not because of life threat but because of smell which was horrible. While driving driver told my guide that he just delivers goats to one of his client. Well breathing was also difficult as the nature of pashtuns.but we can bear with that for the sake of upcoming excitement.