MANSEHRA: The district administration on Monday directed Kaghan Development Authority (KDA) to ensure early reopening of the Saiful Muluk Road after a section of the artery connecting it with Naran was washed away by flash floods last week.

“A team of revenue officials led by assistant commissioner on special duty inspected the artery and found its condition poor for travelling. It should be restored on a war footing so that tourism activities can resume at the destination of fairy tales,” an order issued by the deputy commissioner said.

It further said that the cloudburst-triggered rains had blocked the connecting road, and after hectic efforts, all tourists stranded in around 200 jeeps were rescued on July 30. The artery was subsequently closed to traffic until further orders for the safety of tourists.

“As the tourism season is currently at its peak in Kaghan Valley and Saiful Muluk Lake is a major tourist destination, you are directed to immediately move machinery and undertake restoration of the bumpy road connecting Naran with the place of fairy tales,” the order said.

The business community, which had appealed to the deputy commissioner to reconsider his decision following the ban on travelling to Saiful Muluk Lake last week, welcomed the orders.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2026