Escalating India-Pakistan dispute causes decline in tourism within the Kashmiri region
Peaceful Neelum Valley Echoes Silence Amid Conflict
In the heart of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the normally buzzing Neelum Valley remains eerily silent, as tourists avoid the region due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
The ongoing skirmishes between the nuclear-armed nations have pushed away tourists during the peak tourist season, leaving hotels empty and roads deserted amidst the valley's towering peaks and lush greenery.
The deteriorating situation stems from a deadly attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians on April 22, with India accusing Pakistan of being behind the incident, a charge Islamabad denies [1].
The conflict has led to a dramatic escalation, with India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, a move that could potentially complicate water disputes [2]. The unease between the neighbors has extended for nine consecutive nights along the militarized Line of Control, as per Indian defense sources [3].
In response, Pakistan's military tested a surface-to-surface missile system with a range of 450 kilometers, aimed at ensuring troops' operational readiness. International pressure is mounting for both nations to find a diplomatic solution [4].
India and Pakistan, who both claim Muslim-majority Kashmir in full, have waged several wars over the Himalayan territory since the end of British rule in 1947 [5].
The Neelum Valley, a main tourism hub, relies heavily on visitors from across Pakistan, with over 300,000 tourists visiting every year [1]. The valley's local population depends on the tourism sector, which employs thousands of families through around 350 guesthouses [6].
Tourist Muhammad Awais, a 22-year-old photographer, commented on the quiet season, saying, "It's been a really bad start." Without tourism revenue, the local economy and countless families are suffering [6].
While security forces block tourists from entering the valley, they permit local residents to pass. Disappointed tourists like Saleem Uddin Siddique, a 69-year-old retiree from Islamabad, conceded that their planned vacation had turned sour [7].
Despite the threat of hostilities, not everyone has given up on visiting the picturesque valley. Mudasar Maqsood, a tourist from Kasur, expressed his confidence that the conflict would not escalate to war, advising not to disrupt daily life [8].
However, Raja Iftikhar Khan, the president of the private tourism association, warned that the situation could become "extremely dire." With decreased tourism in the valley, many individuals whose livelihoods depend on the industry are facing significant hardships [8]. Despite the panic, Khan reiterated, "We don't want war - no sensible businessperson ever does." [8]
[1] https://www.dawn.com/news/1648414[2] https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/822519-stranded-tourists-continue-to-wail-for-help[3] https://www.dawn.com/news/1648928[4] https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world-news/pakistan-tests-surface-to-surface-missile-system-targets-india-after-latest-flare-up/article30922752.ece[5] https://www.dawn.com/news/1649234[6] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/05/9/neelum-valley-kashmirs-alpine-tourist-heaven-goes-silent[7] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10007993/India-Pakistan-tensions-threaten-Neelum-Valleys-peaceful-peak-season.html[8] https://www.dawn.com/news/1648406[9] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/pakistan-tests-long-range-surface-to-surface-ballistic-missile/articleshow/91040341.cms
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts between India and Pakistan have caused the normally bustling Neelum Valley to echo silence, as temperatures drop and tourism normally associated with Kashmir's capital, Muzaffarabad, dwindles due to escalating tensions.
- The readiness of Pakistan's military, as exhibited by their recent testing of a surface-to-surface missile system, underscores the escalating tensions, with both nations involving high-level politics and potential general news impacts, such as Pakistan's denial of involvement in the deadly attack in Pahalgam.
- The turmoil has stalled residents like 22-year-old Muhammad Awais, a local photographer from Kashmir, from leading their usual lifestyles, as tourists avoid travel due to the skirmishes.
- Mudasar Maqsood, a tourist from Kasur, remains optimistic that the conflict will not escalate into a larger war, expressing confidence in continuing his travel plans, while Raja Iftikhar Khan, the president of the private tourism association, warns of the extremely dire consequences for the valley's livelihoods if the situation doesn't improve.
- Saleem Uddin Siddique, a 69-year-old retiree from Islamabad, concedes that his vacation in the Neelum Valley has turned sour due to the security blockade in place for tourists.
- In the face of the deteriorating conflict, crimes and justice matters may also become elevated, with the unease between the nations potentially impacting the region's overall stability and security.
- The ongoing insecurity in the valley has affected athletes and sports enthusiasts, as they might experience delayed or cancelled travel plans due to the tense situation surrounding Kashmir, exacerbated by the resurgence of war-and-conflicts in the region.
