TIMERGARA: Tourists on Sunday thronged the scenic snow-covered Laram Top in Adenzai after heavy snowfall on Friday and Saturday.

The tourists, majority of them children and youth, were seen enjoying the snow on a sunny afternoon. Most of tourists walked on foot for about five kilometres to reach the Laram Top as the road leading to the 8,500-foot high tourist spot remained closed due to heavy snowfall.

“I came from Mardan and wanted to drive to the top to enjoy the snow, but I left my car some five kilometres off the tourist destination due to blockade of road,” Asifullah, 20, who carried his niece on shoulders, told Dawn near the hilltop. He said he had come along with family to enjoy the snow-covered mountain.

Tourists from Lower Dir, Bajaur, Malakand Agency, Mardan, Barikot and Odigram Swat also visited the top. The youth also held musical shows while others danced on drumbeats.

The tourists also arranged their own meals as they had brought utensils and small LPG cylinders with them. Mujeeb, 30, from Talash, suggested the government should give due attention towards development of these scenic spots. He said he along with his friends cooked rice and chicken and enjoyed the meal sitting on the snow-covered fields.

Several families were also seen visiting the adjoining Sia Sar tourist spot. Talking to this scribe, the visitors said they preferred Sia Sar instead of Laram Top as road to the former was in good shape. “You can reach Sia Sar in your car, but cannot do so for Laram Top,” Murad Khan said, adding Sia Sar had a few shops where visitors could buy things of their need.

Anwarud Din, a resident of Jandol, said a large number of people, both from Dir and outside districts, had been visiting Shahi and Bin-Shahi spots bordering Afghanistan. He said bulldozers were busy in clearing the road leading to these beautiful spots.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2019