Through the kind courtesy of Honourable Capt. Abdul Majeed Niazi, former Information Secretary KPK and an old friend from my Dawn days, who very kindly asked me to meet up, Honourable Shaukat Khan Yousafzai, Commissioner Malakand, whenever I visit Swat . To my pleasant surprise our relation went back to our childhood , when Swat was different administratively and otherwise. As a local, he has heavy responsibility to shoulder to help anyone who walks into his office, indeed a thankless job, but he has no option being from Swat to be friend both to Swat and its people . Meanwhile, he has viable plans to end traffic congestion through introduction of the state – of- the- art urban transport for the twin towns of Saidu – Mingora and the adjoining areas which greatly will reduce the carbon emissions and noise pollution that is not only a heath hazard but one of the major factors of the climate change with temperature on the rise constantly.
To my good luck, Honourable Junaid Khan, Deputy Commissioner Swat also walked in, that accorded me with the opportunity to discuss with him eco- tourism and the environment to which the unplanned tourism poses serious hazards. We, agreed in principle to discuss and if there could be any possibility to develop a module in the best public interest that could promote tourism without posing risk to the environment. One can hope for the best, while meanwhile, I wish these two bright officers of my home town and that of the Chief Minister, as well, the very best in their professional endeavours.