BUNER: Residents of Buner district have appealed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to explore and promote the hidden tourist destinations of Buner, saying the district is as beautiful as Swat but remains neglected in terms of tourism development.
In their appeal to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, the residents said that Buner is known as the Gateway to Swat, but tourists only pass through the district without staying. He said Buner has mountains, rivers, dense forests, green meadows, and ancient history, and if given proper attention, it can become a major tourism hub and provide employment to thousands of local youth.
He highlighted that Elum Mountain, at 2800 meters’ height, is one of the most sacred and historic sites, believed to be a place where Buddha meditated, with a beautiful waterfall at its foot. Another high-altitude mountain in the Gookand Valley, called Dwa Sary(Two Peaks Mountain), located on the Buner-Shangla border at 5,750 feet, has already been declared a tourist spot, but there is no proper road, electricity, or water facility.
Similarly, Mahaban Hill at 2000 meters offers panoramic views of the entire Buner valley and the Indus River and has some camping spots, but lacks basic facilities.
He also mentioned Katkala Meadows and Tora Parkha Waterfall in Char village, which are vast green meadows with streams and wildlife; Barandu River, which flows throughout the valley with forests on both sides and is ideal for fishing and family picnics; and Kundal Dam, which attracts families.
In terms of religious and historical tourism, he said the shrine of Pir Baba Syed Ali Tirmizi in Pacha Kalay is visited by thousands of people daily but needs better facilities for pilgrims. Ranigat is a two-thousand-year-old Gandhara civilization site from the first to the sixth century AD, protected under the Antiquities Act, and is one of the biggest Buddhist remains in Asia, but remains undeveloped.
Maladri Pass at 1336 meters between Buner and Rustam is also a historic battlefield where Emperor Akbar’s army under Raja Birbal was defeated by Yusufzai tribes in 1586 and offers beautiful pine forest views. Residents of Daggar, Totalai, Pir Baba and Chagharzai said their main problems are broken link roads to these spots, Shaheed-e-Sar, Mahaban and Karakar.
The Karakar Tunnel of 2.1 kilometers connecting Buner and Swat was approved in 2021, but work is very slow. There are almost no hotels or proper camping pods except two or three in Mahaban and Shaheed-e-Sar. Festivals like Buner Gul Da Namair and Jashn-e-Elum need national level promotion. Due to lack of tourism, local youth are facing joblessness, though they could work as guides and in hotels and restaurants if tourism is promoted.
The resident requested Governor Kundi to personally visit Buner and include the district in the Peshawar Uplift Development Plan and the KP 180-Day Strategic Action Plan under which 150 major roads are to be repaired.
They also demanded linking the motorway with the Ismaila interchange through the Surkawi tunnel, and provision of electricity, water, and road facilities.
According to Governor House sources, Governor Kundi has taken notice of the appeal and has directed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority and Tourism Department to submit a feasibility report for Buner tourism circuits and to work with the National Highway Authority for improving road connectivity.
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