Our neglected KOHISTAN: What can be done?
By: Tarique Khan Javed
President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum.

Background:
The unique geographic region of Sindh known as Kohistan stretches along the border with Baluchistan and is one of the poorest regions. The area along the Kirther Mountain range starts from Mangopir near Karachi  and ends  near Khenji in western part of Larkana District. The area being on higher elevation then rest of Sindh is deprived of the irrigated water from River Indus. The subsistence farming done in the region is based on making small dams and obstruction to stop rain water coming down from the Kirther mountain range.  The productively of the land is low and the uncertainty of amount of rain water coming down makes life very difficult for the people of the region.
In times of low rain people start to starve in region and at that point in sheer desperation they resort to robbing people passing through their region or by nearby plains. Thus the region has acquired a bad name for itself and this precludes any significant economic development.
Being afraid to travel in the region the investors have not dared to invest and thus region has remained neglected for centuries. Even after independence no significant improvement has taken place in the lives of these unfortunate people.
What can be done for the region is the topic of this article based on writers recent visits in the region.

Important sites with potentials:
Being on the slope of a mountain range the region provides breath taking scenes and sites. Some of the notable sites are:

1. Mangopir:

Located just across the North Nazimabad hill on the low land lie the famous shrine of Mangopir. The low lying area is surrounded by hills on three sides and thus is the last leg of the Kohistan region. The water draining down from Kirther range after passing through Gadab area ends up here. Even in times when it has not rained for months the area is flooded with water. This explains why a good number of crocodile have survived in the area with or without human help. The area is always wet and green in contract to rest of dry and brown Karachi.

2. Bund Murad Khan:

Dam on River Hub near Dera Murad  Khan is the source of water for western Karachi and Hub Town and Industrial area. On the foot of large mountain this spot is scenic and a must place for visit. The dam and branches of water create an ambience of peace and tranquility which is very pleasing.

3. Gadab:

The area around Gadab is the first site from Karachi of major agriculture based on small dams water storage system common in Kohistan.
Many big and small farms have developed in the area. Many people from Karachi have invested in the area and thus the area is relatively well off.
In the back drop of substantial mountains in the west and view of green farms is very soothing and pleasant site, no wonder farm houses are mushrooming in the area where people of Karachi prefer to relax during weekends.

Gadab is easily accessible from Karachi through the Super Highway, taking a left turn from Baqui  University bus stop.

4. Sari Sing:

Further north the significant settlement is that of Sari Sing and Hundi.
This is small farming community having  farms in and around the village of Sari Sing.
The area is also the main entrance to the Kirther Game Reserve/Sanctuary and National Park. On the main Super High way there is large brown sign board indicating Kirther National Park to be located 71 KM away. The road passes through Hundi which is site of new Gas discovery and village of Sari Sing.
While there is good melted road upto Sari Sing which 13 KM from Highway; road beyond is only suitable for four wheel drive vehicles.

5. Thana Bula Khan

Further north located some 18 KM from the Highway towards the mountain in the left side of the Road is Thana Bula Khan. A brown sign board indicates Kirther National Park to be located 51 KM from this point.
This is substantial town with big houses and a sizeable market. The town is located between two mountains  one on the west and one in the east towards the highway. To reach this town one has to climb a mountain of about a 1000 feet passing through steep rising and breath taking sites. On the pleatue is located a big  Hindu Ashram and an Agriculture experiment farm. Ashram is majestic and gives and sense of peace and tranquility.  From this point one can see a number of small lakes and ponds below which is used for agriculture. Down below is the town of Thana Bula Khan.

6. Thana Ahmed Khan:

Passing through the town one moves towards small  farming settlement of Thana Ahmed Khan. The location has is importance in that it is the last point upto which decent road is available. Beyond this point the four wheel vehicles takes people to the Kirther National Park. The settlement is the political center of the Region as the MNA from this part Kohistan has a large house and Guest House located here. 

7. Kirther Game Reserve, Game Sanctuary and National Park:

A vast area spreading from Dera Murad Khan in the South West to near Dhal in the North East and Garwali in the North West has been declared National Park and Game Reserve by the Government, since a long time. The Park/ Reserve/Sanctuary cover settlements of Thano Shah Beg, Sumar Allah Dad, Achar, Mehrab Toung, Karahot, Goran, Babi Kot and Thano Arab.
However the tourist potential of the scheme has remained almost         unexploited. This is partly due to the lack of infrastructure like roads and accommodation but primarily because of security concern on venturing in the Region, with such bad reputation.

8. Hot Spring:

Further north on the road from Goran towards Manchhar Lake is the famous Hot Spring known to have healing/medicinal quality in its water.
This spot can be easily reached through Sehwan. 

9. The beautiful Manchhar Lake:

Located only 9 KM away from Sehwan on the main Dadu road is the jewel of Sindh-Manchhar Lake. This is the largest fresh water lake of Asia. It is home to some 40,000 fishermen community.
The large water body spreading from the foot of hills surrounding from three sides is a spectacular phenomena of nature which captivates visitors for ever.
Approaching it from the Highway one passes through regular farms until one reaches the high embankment. The blue glow of water and reflecting sun light presents a strange sight which beholds the visitors in eve.
Over the embankment one sees a different world and a unique habitat teeming with life of all kinds. While millions of fish find their livelihood under water a vast number of local and migratory birds find enough food above water.
Many birds are so big that is hard to believe thanks to the ample nutrient they find here. Many birds live with the fishermen families like domestic pets.
The fishermen community mostly life out side the embankment however many choose to life on the boats and small island within the lake.
One can take a one or two hours boat rid very inexpensively on small boats or books a large boat for the day or even nights and stay on.
However this paradise like place is hardy visited by Tourists again due to security concern, lack of infra structure like hotels and restaurants and above all general lack of awareness.

10. Gorakh Hills:

This 6000 feet high mountain is a hill station of Sindh in making for a long time. Government is developing the area in its own speed. The project needs a major push by private sector to be completed in our life time. Given the unbearable heat in summer all over Sindh and the high cost of traveling to Hills of Mauree and other Northern Hill stations, it make a robust economic proposition to develop Gorakh as a hill station.
The sums government is spending on making the infra structure would be easily recouped buy selling land for hotels and restaurants as is the case in Mauree.
The land price of Mauree is one of the highest in Pakistan and even ¼ th price on Gorakh will make the project a very profitable business venture.

Conclusion and recommendations:
Besides the deprivation of the nature the other main factor responsible for poverty and backwardness of the Region is the popular fear of the region as a dangerous place to visit. This deprives the region of all kind of investment be that be in industries or tourism projects. A vast potential income is denied to a people who need it most.
In consultation with the MNA and MPA of the Kohistan region there is a need to develop a comprehensive plan to improve the quality of life in the Region. Past neglect and apathy should give way to active concern and action. The local influential should invite potential investors in their region and assure them of complete safety and hospitality. They may join as investors in projects to be launched in the region.
If this can be done the fate of the region from Gadab till Gorakh hill can be rapidly transformed. What can be done now was not possible in the past given the general prosperity of people in Karachi and Hyderabad area. People in the area have now lot of money to spend on tourism and if the potential of Kohistan is harnessed lot of these funds will come to it.

Specific business propositions:

1. Power Plant at Hundi:

A large Power plant in Hundi near the gas field. Instead of piping the gas to Karachi as is in the process of being done. The same gas may be used to generate electricity near the gas field and the value added Electricity may then be used nearby for industrialization purpose, supply electricity to communities in the region and surplus exported to Nuriabad and Karachi. This will create on going jobs in Sari Sing area which has nothing else.

2. Hotel/ Motels and Restaurant across National Park:

One can envisage a large number of potential hotels in the entire region of National park accompanied by restaurants and other entertainment facilities like extended cable cars. One can spend days exploring and enjoying the Parks.

3. Daily, Day long  Safari trips to the Park:

To start with daily Safaris on Bus can be started from Karachi which will take people on a day long trip to the Park. The trip may start very early in the morning and end before sun down. This inexpensive trip with proper security arrangement will be hugely popular and makes a good business proposition.

4. Hotels/Motels and Restaurants at Manchhar lake:

Manchhar Lake can be developed into a major Tourist spot of Pakistan. What this site has to offer no other site in Pakistan can. Bird watchers from all over the World will flock over to this lake if we let them come. Once people know this place will get going. Further on the people may be encouraged to stay on in the boats for few days once the confidence is developed. This may be followed by development of Hotels, Motels and restaurant on the embankment.

5. Daily Bus service to Manchhar lake:

There is an urgent need to start initially a twice weekly Bus service for tourist from Karachi and Hyderabad for day trips with proper security arrangements. The twice weekly service may soon be upgraded to daily service. I predict this will happen rapidly once the news is out and proper advertisement campaign is carried out.

6. Weekly Bus service to Gorakh Hill Station:

Once the basic road is developed similar Bus service to Gorakh Hill may be started initially on weekly basis and upgraded to twice weekly once the demand picks up. 

Implementation vehicle and process:
To harness the economic and tourism potential of Kohistan I propose formation of limited Co by the name of Kohistan Economic and Tourism Development Co (KETDC). The Co may have a capital of Rs 500m and be listed at Karachi stock exchange. Government of Sindh and Pakistan may contribute Rs 250 million. While the rest may be raised from Public but reserving Rs 125 million for people of Kohistan.
Mr. Asad Ashraf Mallik and Nawab Abdul Ghani Talpur MNAs from the Lower  Kohistan Region may be made honourary perpetual Board members of the Co. They will invest as much as they can from their own pocket or will encourage others from their region to invest in the Co. They will be guarantors of safety for activities of the Co and will ensure that most of the jobs thus created go to people of Kohistan.
This Co can change the fate of Kohistan for good. I will personally invest in the Co and urge my friends to do and I am sure this will be a roaring success. I see the value of share to reach Rs 50 from Rs 10 within span of two three years of operation.