By Haroon Siraj
MINGORA: Known as Pakistan’s Switzerland for its green lush valleys, pleasant weather and hospitality, Swat is fast falling into the hands of robbers.
Travelling to country’s Northern areas , especially Malakand division is turning out a nightmare for the tourists these days as they are falling victims to the robbers each coming day. And the administration is found helpless to maintain law and order which may cause a heavy blow to ailing Tourism Industry there.
In a fresh episode of robbery in broad day light, around 20 tourists were looted in Swat’s Scenic valley Madyan enroute Kalam Valley at gun point.
According to police the tourist’s van was stopped and looted on gunpoint at Terat area of Madyan valley by the robbers. Robbers deprived the tourists of smart phones, gold and cash worth million rupees and fled from the scene before the police arrived the scene.
An official told this scribe that, after the incident the police reached the spot and started an investigation, however, the robbers managed to escape.
It was third time tourist were looted at gunpoint in various parts of Malakand Division in less than a week.
On August 6, around 40 tourists were looted in separate incident at Thana bypass and Lower Dir.
Following the incident, the Chief Minister Mahmood Khan had removed Deputy Commissioner Malakand and DPO Lower, due to failing in maintaining law and order situation in the region. However, robbers rule the entire division despite change of higher police officials.
A wave of fear and panic has been felt across the entire area. The locals have demanded from the authorities concerned, to take solid steps for maintaining law and order situation.
” Such incidents are threat to the tourism industry of the area and shows the incapability of police department. Sadly, the police has failed to ensure law and order,” Zahid Khan, President All Swat Hotels Association told Islamabad Telegraph.
He lleged that these incidents were part of the conspiracy, to damage tourism industry in the scenic valley of Swat.