UNVEILING PAKISTAN'S HIDDEN BEAUTY, FROM WAZIRISTAN TO SINDH.

KARACHI -- Every year, thousands of tourists flock to Gilgit-Baltistan and the Galiyats to seek refuge from the hustle and bustle of cities. Once people have ticked these places off their travel bucket lists, they mistakenly believe they have seen all there is in the country. A new breed of travel photographers and vloggers are challenging this notion by promoting tourism in their native regions to provide people with alternative holiday destinations

As a university student, Jamshed Burki was often met with negative remarks and misperceptions about his homeland Waziristan. Tribal areas of Waziristan are often stereotyped as conservative and unsafe arid mountainous regions, typically not the most favourable conditions for a holiday. Burki, undeterred by people's comments, set out to explore Waziristan and bring us along with him through his camera lens.

When Burki started travelling in 2018, he did not see any tourism in the tribal areas besides a few locals at different spots. Since then, he travelled to different tribal areas to uncover the breath-taking beauty of Waziristan. It was not until 2020 that people began coming to Waziristan, much of which can be credited to Burki.

Burki has taken many long and arduous journeys, most of which he documented on his YouTube channel and Instagram [@jamshedburkii] and Facebook accounts. From hiking on dangerous trails to being on the go on his motorbike for hours, Burki has done it all.

Besides dismantling the negative views about tribal regions, Burki wanted to promote these areas to attract tourism. 'Tribal areas have as much potential as Naran, Kaghan, and Swat, and most people here belong to low and middle-income backgrounds, so a boost in tourism will help revive local businesses and jobs. This will ultimately bolster growth within the region as well as contribute to the country's economy. Crucially, tourism can also promote cultural exchange among Pakistan's citizens.'

Tourists who have not previously travelled to the tribal areas may have their reservations, but Burki says that he has never experienced any sort of security issues. People travelling for the first time should get in touch with local guides to avoid any unforeseen issues, and tourists should always cooperate with local officials and law enforcement personnel. 'During my trips, I regularly come across tourists including families from different parts of the country. I often ask them about their experiences, and most respond...