Tourism in Pakistan
The Golden Era of Tourism
Fifty years ago, Pakistan was a haven for European, American, and Japanese tourists, including hippies with long hair and bell bottoms, who roamed freely in small towns, on foot, bicycles, or using public transportation. These visitors, often fond of hashish, were warmly hosted by locals who helped them find their way. Thousands of tourists entered Pakistan through Afghanistan and Iran, visiting Peshawar, Taxila, Lahore, and the Buddhist monuments or trekking towards India and Nepal before returning the same way.
Back then, Dubai and credit cards were virtually unknown. These foreign guests carried cash in dollars but felt completely safe. However, over the decades, something changed, causing tourists of all colors and races, including Pakistanis and Japanese, to turn their backs on us.
What Changed?
Karachi, Lahore, Taxila, Peshawar, Hunza, and the peaks of K2 and Nanga Parbat were major attractions for foreign visitors forty to fifty years ago. The Muslim population was the same, prayers were performed as they are today, and mosques were adequately sized for the population. Despite similar conditions, tourists could roam freely in all kinds of clothes and return home safely and happily.
Facilities have significantly improved over the last fifty years. Visa and permit processes are more accessible, with around seventy countries enjoying the facility of on-arrival visas. The hotel industry has expanded, transportation has improved, and communication is seamless. Air travel is easy. Yet, despite these advancements, tourists are scarce.
Impact on Wildlife and Local Tourism
Even the migratory birds from Siberia, which once flocked to our lakes every winter, have altered their routes, often falling victim to hunters. During a recent visit to the areas between Lahore and Karakoram, I saw only one bird in seven days. This starkly contrasts with the past, indicating a significant decline in wildlife due to human activity.
Currently, due to summer and school holidays, the northern hilly areas of Pakistan are bustling with locals from Karachi, Islamabad, and Punjab. However, the tourist industry, which has suffered due to America’s War on Terror, Taliban insurgency, and COVID-19, is still recovering.
A Disturbing Incident
The tourism sector has been somewhat flourishing over the past two summers. However, a recent tragic incident in Swat’s Madyan area raised concerns. A local mob burned alive a tourist from Punjab, and the police station, along with the officers’ vehicles, was set on fire when they tried to save the tourist.
Despite fears that this incident would drive away thousands of tourists, the response was unexpectedly muted. Although there was initial panic, life soon returned to normal, with tourists continuing their activities as if nothing had happened. The pervasive sense of insecurity and frequent accusations of blasphemy, leading to violence, have numbed the population to such tragic events.
Conclusion. Wikipidia
The decline in tourism in Pakistan, despite improved facilities, highlights deeper societal issues. The pervasive sense of danger and frequent violent incidents have created an environment where neither foreign nor local tourists feel safe. Addressing these underlying issues is crucial to reviving Pakistan’s tourism industry and restoring its former glory as a hospitable and safe destination for all.