SWABI: Political activists have demanded of the government to develop Mehaban Mountain and Beergali region in Gadoon Amazai belt into tourist spots to generate the much-needed revenue.

Talking to Dawn on Wednesday, they said that tourists from various foreign countries could be attracted to the region as it had lush-green valleys and high mountains which received heavy snow in winter.

They said the region was a treasure of natural beauty, adding from atop the Mehaban Mountain one could have a stunning view of Torghar, Abbottabad, AJK, Buner and the entire Swabi district.

They claimed that the mountain was located at a height of 2,047 metres at the junction point of four districts -- Swabi, Torghar, Haripur and Buner.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf district president Anwar Haqdad blamed the successive governments for not promoting the sites as tourist attractions.

MPA Rangaiz Khan said that previous parliamentarians belonging to Gadoon Amazai gave no attention to the region.

Dr Mohammad Aqil Farooqui, who contested the last general election as an independent candidate and lives near Beergali, said the road to Beergali had been improved and the road from Beergali to Mehaban Mountain was expected to be constructed and widened soon.

The local residents told this correspondent that Beergali and Mehaban Mountain received snowfall during the last three days, and youngsters belonging to different regions of the country, continued to visit there to enjoy snow.

Meanwhile, the locals complained that the Beergali rest house was lying in ruins and said a few days back MPA Rangaiz Khan along with some officials of the district administration visited the area and said he would bring the provincial minister for tourism Atif Khan to see the beauty of the region and dismal condition of the rest house.

Mohammad Riaz, a resident of Beergali, said due to paucity of funds and lack of interest by the authorities the sites could not be developed into tourist attractions.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2020