Beneath the Veil

Hidden beneath the tagline of terrorism, violence, corruption, cricket controversies and poverty, Pakistan has always been deprived of the admirations it deserves when it comes to beauty which speaks right to the heart and soul of a person. Jaw-dropping cliffs, dizzyingly high mountains, preserved shrines rich with the ambiance of past and lush green lands speckled with flowing rivers and impressive lakes in the palms of alluring valleys; this is the Pakistan under the veil.

The name Swat is an automatic update in our minds for the hardline Islamic fundamentalist Taliban and innocent smiles like Malala Yusaf Zai who are subjugated to women oppression. Yet, what the powerful Western media fails to highlight is the sheer beauty of the Switzerland of Asia. Swat acquired fame as a place of Buddhist pilgrimage. It is said that the Swat was filled with fourteen hundred imposing and beautiful stupas and monasteries, which housed as many as 6,000 gold images of the Buddhist pantheon for worship and education. There are now more than 400 Buddhist sites covering and area of 160 Km in Swat valley only. Among the important Buddhist excavation in swat an important one is Butkarha-I, containing the original relics of the Buddha. This rich historical past with rushing torrents, bone-chilling lakes, fruit-laden orchards and flower-decked slopes are like a vacationers dream come true.

One of the must-see spots on the Swat Valley Tourism list is Daral Lake. Located in the heart of the Valley Swat, Daral Lake can be found to the northeast of the Sidgai Lake. A long, winding trail leads to the lake and is almost as popular with tourists as the lake itself. Along the trail, travelers will be treated to breathtaking mountain scenery and glimpses of the majestic river sellouts. Other great lakes to visit while in the area include Spin Khwar Lake, Bashigram Lake, Kundal Lake, and Pari Lake. The pristine lakes nestled amid towering peaks provide a chance to reflect and revel in the calms of nature. Gushing through narrow gorges and snaking through verdant valleys, the River Swat is truly a sight to behold too. If the majestic lakes are not enough to soothe the growling beast craving for beauty, the person can hold his breath for more. The Mahadun Valley is a picturesque place surrounded by imposing peaks and is also known to be bliss for fishing fans. The Ghabral Valley is a town in itself which holds timeless traditions, local vendors and tranquil beauty. Snow-clad peaks dotted with small hotels make a postcard perfect picture for the eye in places in Upper Swat. The Malam Jabba ski resort is breathtakingly alluring sight with its affordable luxuries for a modern lifestyle stay instead of the traditional village resorts Swat is bedecked with.

The territory of Azad Kashmir is dotted with a vast chain of scenic and natural beauty spots amidst flowing streams, gushing springs and flowering plants. The mountain tops over the valley look like circular and rectangular caps. The panorama is really enchanting. The picturesque beauty of Peer Chanasi in Muzaffarabad is a unique opportunity for paragliding amid the hills and velvet green plateaus. The valleys, dense forests, winding rivers, turbulent foaming streams, majestic towering mountains, bracing climate, historical & cultural heritage, holistic shrines & festivals and diversity of flora and fauna all go together to make up this striking heaven on earth; Azad Kashmir. The area is full with variety of landscapes. Hiking and tracking sites, trout fishing in the frozen waters of the Neelum River and the remains of the Buddhist civilization in the Sharda Valley are other areas of tourist attraction. The beautiful wood work, the famous Kashmiri handicrafts, traditional Kashmiri foods and above all a clean and pristine environment presents other areas of delight for the tourists on this ‘heaven on earth’.

Laying in the lower Himalayan mountain range, the Kaghan Valley has a name for its bewitching splendor and gifts of nature. It offers resplendent beauty surrounded by magnificent mountains, magical glaciers, enchanting waterfalls and sweet lakes with plenty of flora and fauna. Noisy Kunhar River is seen twining its way through the peaks and the valley. Lying on the banks of the screaming river is a small town embedded with beauty, Balakot. Balakot is a spectacular joyride; the entire route unfolds ornamental natural wealth with lush green hills, sweet brooks and sprawling green thick natural forests on either side. A view of these aesthetical treasures of nature especially between Attarshisha and Garhi Habibullah is mesmerizing.

Another small package of overflowing beauty is Naran. It is a place so lavishly beautiful that the nature’s soaring sentries speckled with lofty, lush alpine trees reaching right up to the sky seem to be communicating with the clouds. The silky meadows and gushing streams with heart-halting bridges provide a ride worth captivating in the books of memories.

As Naran ends, another fascinating journey begins to the thrilling fascination known by the name of Lake Saiful Maluk. The journey is full of panoramic view of some magical scenes of panoramic view of some of magical scenes of the high Malika Parbat, popularly known as Queen of the Mountains in a cool and serene atmosphere. A beautiful bowl of water sparkling like diamonds surrounded by gigantic crests, the lake is grandeur to the eye.

There is a never ending list of breathtaking places in Pakistan. And words can certainly not do justice to the palpitation causing peaks, the menacingly lofty cliffs, the roaring rivers, plush carpets of green adorned with flowers and the lakes mirroring azure skies.