ISLAMABAD: The Swat revamping and beautification project under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is underway to develop the favoured tourist spot ob both domestic and international tourists. KP government aims to complete the project by March 2018.
Planting trees, relining and laying new roads, cleaning blocked drains, putting up signboards and commissioning an artist to paint boundary walls is underway in Malakand Division and Saidu Sharif. The total cost of the project is Rs. 1 billion.
Artists have been told to paint scenes of local culture on the streets walls as well as depict images of the Gandhara civilisation.
With 52 lakes, high mountains, green meadows, and clear lakes, Swat is popular with tourists all over the world. Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to the Yusafzai State of Swat called it the “Switzerland of the east”.
The valley was briefly controlled by the Taliban between 2007 and 2009. Residents are now hopeful that with the new project the city can reclaim its past glory.