Each Eid season, the Swat Motorway, also known as M-16, serves as a vital transportation corridor, significantly improving accessibility for holidaymakers traveling to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's most popular destinations. With the completion of its Phase II under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the number of tourists is expected to double. This modern expressway has become an indispensable route, facilitating the movement of tens of thousands of tourists to the region's breathtaking valleys and mountain resorts during the festive period, Gwadar Pro reported on Friday.

According to Malakand Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Nasir Mehmood Sati, more than 700,000 tourists visited Swat and the Malakand division during Eid this week. He said tourists from across the country visited the region, creating a festival-like atmosphere at major tourist attractions. Travelers from cities such as Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Lahore visited popular tourist spots in Swat, including Malam Jabba, Madyan, Bahrain, Kalam, Gabin Jabba, and Marghuzar, where they enjoyed the breathtaking landscapes and refreshing climate.

In recent years, the 160-kilometer motorway has fundamentally transformed travel patterns, with its state-of-the-art infrastructure enabling seamless connectivity to Swat Valley's major attractions. It has reduced congestion on traditional mountain roads, provided safer and more comfortable journeys for families, and increased mobility for both domestic and international visitors.

The Kareem family from Lahore, talking to Gwadar Pro, shared, "We left home after Fajr prayers and were in Madyan by 9 AM — with time for a proper breakfast! The kids didn’t even ask ‘are we there yet?’ once." Hotel owner Nazir Ahmed noted, "For the first time, we’re seeing guests arrive relaxed instead of exhausted. Many are extending their stays because the journey home is now so easy."

During peak Eid travel periods, the motorway consistently demonstrates its value as a tourism enabler, handling unprecedented volumes of traffic while maintaining efficient operations.

Its strategic importance continues to grow each year, cementing its role as the preferred gateway to northern Pakistan's most sought-after holiday destinations. It also facilitates access to Swat’s tourist spots and improves logistics for agricultural and horticultural exports.

The local business community, especially hotel owners, believe that with the Swat Motorway’s Phase-II extension, the route will stretch from Chakdara to Fatehpur, providing travelers direct access to key destinations like Mingora (Swat’s commercial center), Malam Jabba (the renowned ski resort), and the breathtaking alpine valleys of Kalam and Mahodand. The expansion will also improve connectivity to Upper Dir and Kumrat Valley through linked highways.

While current road conditions beyond Bahrain remain difficult—primarily due to lingering flood damage from 2022—the completion of Phase II promises dramatic improvements. Once completed, Phase II will significantly reduce travel time, encourage greater tourist traffic, and boost local economic growth.

Designed as a four-lane motorway (with provisions for future expansion to six lanes), it will feature nine interchanges and eight bridges, ensuring seamless connectivity to Swat’s key destinations.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China