Swat Valley in 1976 and Now 2013

• This is the sad story of the beautiful valley of Swat which I saw in 1976 and now in 2013.
• Swat valley is one of the the rich valley due to its aggriculture and more land available for cultivation.
• Swat mountains are not making narrow valley like Kaghan or Hunza .
• People of the Swat are educated and soft .They are not aggressive like other mountain areas
• The first time i visited Swat in 1967 when I was medical students.We lived in the college hostel and paid only few rupees for whole week.We were out late at night without any fear.
• Then I was regularly visiting Swat after 1976.
• I was always coming to Swat for relaxtion due to its sceinic beauty, wheather and clean atmosphere.The sky at night looked blue and stars were bright.The fields were full of greenry.The people were smiling and friendly.There was some sort of nice feeling here.I used to spend days here but never got bored.We were going daily for hiking and were enjoying the melody sound of spring water like huming of birds.
• Now I came in 2013 and was disappointed by the terrorism and seeing the pale faces of those swaties which were always full of joy.Now I am bound to my house and every body discourage me not to go for hiking.
• When i go out I can see the depressed faces of the people and they do not know what happened to their heaven like Swat valley.I never thought that this will be the hopeless situation of this valley which was my favourit place and i have always tranquizer effect on my mind during my visit to this valley.
• To my surprise that this valley has no boundry attatched to India or Russia or China or even Afghanistan.Why this valley is selected for such terrorism actvity which answer we may get after 10 to 15 years.
• I pray for the people of Swat and hope will see again Swat valley as it was before this terrorism.

Dr.Riaz Bhutta