Tourism potential of Zairat and Zhob.
By: Tarique Khan Javed
President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum.
Dated 06th Dec 2008
Northern Baluchistan has some of the highest mountains in the lower part
of Pakistan. Koh-e-Zarghoon just to the east of Queeta at 10,000 feet and Koh-e-Suleiman on the north east, with similar height and Toba and Kakar Range hovering above 12,000 feet in the north provide a majestic backdrop. Heights of 5,000 to 6,000 are common in the Region. These mountains give way to beautiful valleys with majestic views and wonderful climate for tourist to enjoy. The whole area is tourist paradise, yet to be discovered. The area is known for the absence of crime. All residents are elegant, educated, well off and most hospitable Pathans.
1. Green Zairat at a height of 8,000 feet:
Quetta at a height of 6,000 is a major modern city with all amenities and lot of tourist sites. However some 110 away on the road to Dera Ghazi Khan lies the jewel of the Region- Zairat. Perched at a height of 8,000 feet surrounded by ever higher mountains on both side. It is part of a long fruit producing valley.
Once out of Quetta; road to Zairat pass by the airport and military bases to Kachelac from where one road goes towards Chaman and another to Zhob. After passing Bustan, which is a large agriculture belt and future site for Industrial area, the road splits again, one smaller road going east to Zairat while the main road continues to Muslim Bagh and Zhob. As the good quality road twist and turns and gradually gain height the barren mountains starts to acquire Juniper trees on them. Initially thin layer of trees starts getting thicker till one reaches close to Zairat by when the mountains becomes almost green. Near Zairat there is dam which holds water for supply to large number of orchids producing Apple, grape, strawberry, peach etc. The small villages give appearance of wealth and luxury. Just outside the town of Zairat there is large English residential school supported by a British NGO.
Zairat with famous Residency and other Rest Houses on top of mountain, has a small bazaar and some 36 small low quality hotels with the exception of PTDC motel, on the main road, which is good but was closed when I visited in first week of September. I managed to get a very basic room, with attached bathroom and two beds, in a small hotel overlooking the bazaar and valley for Rs 250 per night.
With beautiful mosques, a Post Office, a number of water falls and shrine Zairat is already a well established tourist destination. However number of visitors could be increased many-fold with better publicity of the area. If some better quality hotels charging 800 to 1,200 per night could be established, wealthier tourist may be attracted. Viability for such hotels, with arrangement for package deals with Travel Agents is clearly there. Banks may consider financing such hotels.
When I visited the weather was enchanting during day but a bit cold at night. I was told that within a week or so most businesses will close down for winter and will reopen in March. People migrate to lower elevations like Harnia for winter. This factor reduced the number of deaths, during the recent earthquake.
I enjoyed the hospitality of the good natured and cheerful residents very much and promised to come back again. Early in the morning I took a long walk towards the east and met lot of children going to school in uniforms on foot. Number of girls in these was substantial. Most children go to government school and few to private.
The residents appear well of and happy. The town is abode of peace and harmony with no reported violent crime like murder or rape for last 100 years.
Major quality fruit producer:
Zairat is also center of fruit trade in the area. Production is substantial and of high quality which fetch good price. Most produce of the area are sent to Multan and other towns of Punjab.
The whole fruit producing Region does not have any fruit processing unit. Without any value adding the entire production is shipped out in crates. There is scope for a plant to preserve the surplus fruit to be made into Jam and Marmalade. Juice and syrup could also be extracted and packed.
If a small industrial area could be developed by the Government and Banks could lend on the basis of 70:30 debt to equity. Number of local entrepreneur could venture into establishing some small plants.
2. Zhob at foot of Koh-e- Suleiman:
To reach Zhob from Zairat one has to travel first Lorelei and Kila Saifullah. From Lorelei a broad valley leads to Kila Saifullah which is located on even a 40-50 km wide valley coming from Muslim Bagh. The valley has cultivations here and there and small towns and villages. Zhob is towards the end of this valley in the north. At this point the Koh-e- Sulman and Toba and Kakar range come close and engulf the huge valley located at height of 5,000. From Zhob the view of massive cliffs of Koh-e-Salman in the East rising above 10,000 feet, present a unique view. The magnificence of the green extended plain and sudden rising mountain makes one hold its breath. Journey to the famed Tact-e-Sulman involve a day long foot or horse climb. King Suleiman’s chariot it is believed landed here. From this point one can see Indus passing far away in the East. On the eastern side a 5,000 feet drop is a wonder of nature. This mountain also contains the remains of “Qais” the forefather of all Pathans as per the legends.
Shinghar a beautiful mountain in the north had a sanatorium during British period and is worth visiting. There are many such spots in and around Zhob which could be ideal summer resorts.
Zhob which was known as Fort Sandeman in the past after the British Coronal who conquered the area and brought rail and road from Quetta in the northern most point of Baluchistan. Beyond it lays the tribal area of South Waziristan. With
formidable wall like mountain in the east small pass from here in the north lead to Waziristan only.
Zhob it self is a small town with a Bazaar and small low quality hotel. I was
able to find a room with four charpoys and bath room for Rs 200. The town has a huge FC base called Fort Sandeman and a terminus of a railway which is not in use any more as the service was discontinued longtime ago. Buses and Hiace leave at short intervals for Quetta and Dera Ismail Khan from bus station next to the market.
I was told like Zairat, there was no crime in the town. I did not a single beggar in the town.
Craving for English education and better healthcare facilities:
The town has lot of English medium schools and there is demand for more and better schools. It was a pretty site in the morning to see boys and girls going to so called Grammar schools sporting ties and uniforms. Residents told me that they would welcome schools like City and Beacon house to open branches. People who seem well of from trade and transport business are willing to spent goods sums on education.
There is also scope of some private hospitals and diagnostic centers in the town and again established Cos in big cities may consider this business prospect.
I found that generally people were happy with the peace and security the current arrangements have brought to them and no one really envies the so called wide ways and freedom in Waziristan. People realize for prosperity some pre conditions must be met and that is missing in Waziristan and FATA.
Gomal pass an engineering marvel par excellence:
Britishers pulled a stunning success in opening a passage to Dera Ismail Khan through GOMAL Pass. The journey through the Pass is one of the most remarkable journeys of my life. I recommend this journey to all Pakistanis at-least once to appreciate what Pakistan has in store in such neglected areas. As one cross one mountain after another with steep gorges and river running deep below one wonders how this road was built 100 years ago. One interesting aspect of the journey was the encounter with hundreds of nomads who were migrating to lower lands. On foot and on animals these nomads were traveling without any fear in the Pass. They encamped in small open tents on the road side without any weapons. Many tents were only inhabited by ladies and there was no sigh of tension. The colourful dress of ladies and their beauty was unbelievable.
I intend to repeat this journey soon, as my appetite for such heavenly sceneries was not satiated with one journey.
