MANSEHRA: The police department deployed over 1,500 personnel in the Kaghan valley as a large number of tourists visited the scenic destination during Eid holidays.

“We have provided foolproof security and healthcare services on the special directives of Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, in view of the unprecedented influx of visitors to Kaghan valley,” District Police Officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur told reporters at the Damgalla police checkpost here on Monday.

He said the security plan for Kaghan valley was executed with the heaviest personnel deployment in the region’s history, anticipating the massive tourist turnout.

The DPO said that both IGP Zulfiqar Hameed and Deputy Inspector General of Police Hazara Range Nasir Mehmood Satti remained in constant contact with him throughout Eid festival and ordered the enforcement of comprehensive safety measures for the security of visitors.

Saiful Muluk, Loloputsar lakes, Babusar Top remain top tourist destinations

“To assist visitors, facilitation centres were established in Naran and Damgalla, a key point between Balakot and Mansehra,” he said.

Mr Gandapur said those centres not only guided travellers about weather and traffic updates but also offered light refreshments, especially for children and women.

He said that trained male and female personnel were deployed along the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road to provide timely information and assistance to tourists.

The DPO said that emergency medical camps were also set up along the MNJ Road, where doctors, paramedics, and support staff provided healthcare services to travellers.

“In addition to emergency care, we provided refreshments and mobile phone charging services through roaming vans specially arranged to serve visitors during Eid,” he said.

Mr Gandapur said that wardens were also deployed at key locations on the Karakoram Highway and MNJ Road to ensure smooth vehicular flow toward the valley.

He said that no untoward incident was reported during the three Eid days.

Meanwhile, as the rest of the country reel under intense heat wave, the visitors feel relieved to experience snow-capped mountains, serene lakes and lush green meadows in Kaghan Valley.

“We, a group of around 3,000 students from Lahore, have been mesmerised by this valley’s breathtaking beauty and the refreshing cold weather, especially while the rest of the country has recorded temperatures between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius,” girl student Shaista said in Kaghan.

Unusually, Kaghan Valley received a light snowfall in early June, which added to its charm and drew even more visitors from Punjab, Sindh and various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Popular destinations like Saiful Muluk Lake, Loloputsar Lake and Babusar Top are witnessing a massive influx of tourists.

Picnic spots have also been developed along the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road, where tourists could be seen relaxing besides gushing glacier-fed water streams.

“This is an incredible experience, sitting in chilled water flowing directly from melting glaciers is unlike anything we’ve done before,” a tourist told Dawn.

The tourism season in the valley is expected to peak in late June, as people from all over Pakistan flee the ongoing heatwave and arrive in large numbers to enjoy the cool climate and scenic views.

Many tourists are also visiting the less-explored Lulusar Lake near Basel and going to Babusar Top and even Gilgit-Baltistan.

The National Highway Authority, which usually opens Babusar Top to traffic in early June, cleared it ahead of schedule this year, boosting tourist movement.

Adventurous activities such as rafting in and ziplining over the Kunhar River are also major attractions.

Eateries in the area have seen a surge in customers, with tourists enjoying both local and national food amid the chilly mountain air.

“We visited Saiful Muluk Lake and were lucky to experience snowfall at Babusar Top; it was freezing,” said a student.

“Our group travelled from Lahore in over 65 coaches, and this might be one of the largest student groups to visit the area ever,” Mohammad Jibran said.

He added that his university also organised a night-time music festival featuring traditional songs around a bonfire under the open sky, making it a memorable celebration of graduation and friendship.

A girl student said currently, Lahore was burning under a severe heat wave.

“Coming to Kaghan Valley offers not only an escape from the unbearable heat but also a chance to connect with nature and unwind in a tranquil, picturesque setting,” she said.

The police department has re-established the summer checkposts around a dozen places for the security of visitors.

“We have deployed police personnel for the safety of visitors here, and traffic wardens wouldn’t fine tourists as we want to exhibit unmatched hospitality during their stay here,” district police officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur said.

He said people coming in from across the country should be cautious while driving in hilly parts of the district, especially in Kaghan valley and mountain ranges along the Karakoram Highway and Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2025