UPPER DIR: Tourists from within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as other parts of the country have thronged the hilly Upper Dir district along with families for spending the summer season, especially since the start of the fasting month of Ramazan, for a respite from scorching hot weather.

Many tourists have rented houses in Kumrat, Kohistan, Usheri Dara, Brawal, Lowari Top, Dir town and other areas of Upper Dir.

The visitors said keeping fast in their own towns during the current scorching hot days was very difficult and therefore, they had opted to be in Upper Dir to spend most of Ramazan.

They said during their stay in the district, they didn’t feel that they’re fasting.

“Keeping fast at such a place with pleasant weather is very easy,” said Ehsan Khan of Peshawar.

A friend accompanying Ehsan said he could fast in the area even if it lasted 20 hours a day.

Haji Wali Mohammad of Mardan said he had been visiting Upper Dir in the summer season with family for many years to avoid hot weather in hometown.

He said previously, he stayed in Usheri Dara, Brawal, Thal and Jagam but that time around, he opted for Qulandi, which was close to Lowari Top.

“Lush green hills, forests, beautiful springs, clean and cold water of rivers and scenic tourist spots make Upper Dir are popular with tourists like me,” he said.

For tourists, a tent village has been set up in the picturesque Komrat valley.

“We charge up to Rs200 per tent,” said owner of the tent village.

Some visitors complained tourist spots and valleys in the district lacked basic facilities like roads, hotels and cellphone networks.

Chaudhry Naveed of Lahore said he had come to the area with business friends to relax.

“We went to Komrat before the start of Ramazan and spent some memorable time there. We caught and had delicious trout which, I think, is a local treat for tourists,” he said.

He said if someone wanted to see heaven on earth, then he should visit Komrat.

Visitors praised locals for hospitality.

Hameed Khan of Nowshera said he had come to Patrak with family to spend Ramazan but pleasant weather, natural beauty and local people’s lovely behaviour had made them stay put for the whole summer season.

“A man has offered us his house without rent, while others give us butter, curd and desi ghee free of charge. They all serve with all their heart,” he said.

Visitor Hameed Khan also praised locals for being honest and straightforward.

He complained the roads in the area were in bad shape by and large.

Visitors demanded development of Upper Dir to attract tourists from within the country and abroad.

They said the government should repair and rebuild roads and build new to reach Jazz Banda, Saidgai and other areas to promote tourism.

Local people demanded establishment of motels and provision of basic facilities in the area.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2015

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