Just ten days after his wedding, Ijaz, 21, from Swat’s Mankiyal, stands on the edge of a precarious journey, leaving behind his newlywed bride and the mountains he calls home. His decision is painful but driven by the harsh truth: Swat offers no opportunity to provide for his family.
When asked why he made such a decision so soon after his wedding, Ijaz says, “I have to feed my family, and there are no jobs in Swat that can help me financially.” Speaking about his final moments with his bride, his voice falters. “I couldn’t face her when I left,” he admits, his pain etched in his expression. “If I had, I wouldn’t be here.”
Despite his composure, the emotional turmoil was evident in his demeanour as he shared his story with us.
Amjad, a 22-year-old undergraduate student, is also traveling with Ijaz in search of work and financial relief. Unlike Ijaz, Amjad is on his winter break from college. Yet, instead of spending it at home, he has chosen to shoulder his family’s burdens during these two months. “My family has been struggling ever since the catastrophic floods of 2022 submerged our home,” he explains. “Despite these hardships, they still manage to support my education. I couldn’t just sit by and watch, so I decided to help them carry the load.”
This journey marks Amjad’s first time leaving his village, and the weight of it is already sinking in. “I’m nervous,” he admits. “I’ve never been this far from home, and I already miss my family.”
Amjad is pursuing a degree in computer science at a local college nearly 25 kilometres from his village. But even here, challenges persist. “The facilities and equipment at my college are outdated,” he says, his frustration evident. “Most of our subjects are taught verbally, with little to no practical application.” Despite his dreams of a brighter future, the lack of resources makes the path forward uncertain.
For both Ijaz and Amjad, this arduous journey is not just about finding work—it’s about survival. Their stories reflect the harsh reality faced by countless young men from Swat, forced to leave behind the warmth of their families and the beauty of their homeland in search of opportunities that their valley cannot provide.
Amjad’s decision to abandon his education to support his family highlights a larger issue in Swat. Across the valley, many young people are forced to choose between education and survival. As families struggle to make ends meet, large numbers of students like Amjad are putting aside their studies to find work, often leaving behind their dreams of a better future. This trend is spreading, with more young people leaving Swat in search of opportunities that their homeland cannot offer. For many, staying in Swat means facing an uncertain future.
Ijaz and Amjad’s stories are not unique; they echo the plight of thousands from Swat who are forced to abandon their homes and loved ones. The lack of jobs, inadequate educational facilities, and the lingering impacts of natural disasters leave them no choice but to seek livelihoods far away. These young men leave with heavy hearts, driven not by ambition but by the compulsion to support their struggling families.
Nestled in the lap of the Hindu Kush mountains, the Swat Valley is a breathtaking region in northern Pakistan, often referred to as the "Switzerland of the East." Located in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, it is renowned for its lush green meadows, snow-capped peaks and the crystal-clear rivers that weave through its picturesque valleys. Swat’s enchanting beauty and rich cultural heritage have made it a cherished destination for travellers and nature-lovers alike. However, beneath its scenic charm lies a struggling economy that offers limited opportunities, forcing many of its residents to seek livelihoods far from home.
The Swat Valley’s economy revolves around a handful of key sectors that sustain its communities. Tourism is one of the most significant contributors, as the valley’s natural beauty and historical landmarks attract thousands of visitors annually. The hospitality and service industries thrive alongside, offering employment through hotels, guesthouses and local eateries. Similarly, agriculture plays a vital role, with Swat’s orchards producing some of the finest peaches, apples and plums in the country. Other traditional industries, such as handicrafts and fisheries, further highlight the valley’s resourcefulness and cultural richness, showcasing skills passed down through generations.
Handicrafts, including Swat’s intricate embroidery, wood carvings and wool products, reflect the artistic legacy of the region. Additionally, fisheries benefit from the valley’s pristine rivers, while small-scale industries like honey production and wool processing provide further livelihood opportunities. Together, these sectors form the backbone of Swat’s economy, creating a diverse yet interconnected system that supports its population.
The situation is further exacerbated by recurring seasonal floods, which wreak havoc on Swat Valley almost every year. The catastrophic floods of 2022 were particularly devastating, submerging entire villages, sweeping away roads and bridges, and destroying agricultural lands and homes
However, each of these economic pillars faces significant challenges. Tourism, for instance, is highly vulnerable to political instability, seasonal fluctuations, and inadequate infrastructure, which limit its potential. The hospitality and service industries, reliant on tourism, also struggle with inconsistent demand and insufficient investment. Agriculture, though essential, suffers from outdated farming practices, climate change, and water scarcity, leading to reduced yields and declining profitability.
Traditional industries like handicrafts and fisheries are no exception. Artisans often lack access to broader markets and fair pricing, leaving their talents underappreciated. Pollution and diminishing water levels in Swat’s rivers pose threats to the fishing industry, while small-scale ventures like honey production remain constrained by limited resources and market reach. These challenges underscore the need for targeted interventions to revitalise Swat’s economy and unlock its full potential.
The Swat Valley’s underdeveloped infrastructure poses significant challenges to its economic and social progress. The region suffers from poorly maintained road networks, inadequate public transportation, and limited access to essential services like healthcare and education. These shortcomings make daily life difficult for residents and hamper businesses, isolating communities and restricting economic activities.
The situation is further exacerbated by recurring seasonal floods, which wreak havoc on Swat Valley almost every year. The catastrophic floods of 2022 were particularly devastating, submerging entire villages, sweeping away roads and bridges, and destroying agricultural lands and homes. The damages caused by these floods are still not fully addressed, with critical infrastructure remaining in ruins. Villages are often connected to the other side of the valley only by risky, wooden makeshift chairlifts, which have already claimed several lives in previous accidents. The roads along the rivers have been submerged, and in some areas, entire villages have been split in two, making access difficult and life even more precarious. These floods not only displace thousands of families but also cripple Swat’s already fragile economy, as livelihoods are washed away and rebuilding efforts are repeatedly delayed due to lack of resources and political will. Without significant investment in resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness, the cycle of destruction and hardship continues to weigh heavily on the valley and its people, leaving them trapped in a constant struggle for recovery.
The Swat Valley's education system faces considerable challenges, particularly when it comes to disparity between the lower and upper regions. While lower Swat has access to universities, colleges, and other educational institutes, many of these establishments are far from meeting the standards required to equip students for modern challenges. The situation in upper Swat, however, is even more dire. This part of the valley is deprived of adequate higher educational facilities. It has only one degree-level college with just four departments, though a new degree-level college exclusively for girls was opened last year. There are no universities or other specialised institutes to support advanced learning. As a result, students in upper Swat are left with limited opportunities to pursue higher education without traveling long distances to the more developed areas, often facing financial and logistical barriers.
Additionally, high and higher secondary schools in upper Swat are grappling with severe staffing shortages, impacting the quality of education. Many of these schools lack qualified teachers, particularly in specialised subjects, which hampers the academic growth of students. In some areas, schools are forced to operate with temporary staff or overcrowded classrooms, which further undermines the learning experience. This lack of proper educational infrastructure in upper Swat not only limits opportunities for the youth but also perpetuates the region’s cycle of poverty, as students are unable to acquire the skills needed to compete in a rapidly changing world. To bridge this gap, significant investments in education—both in terms of infrastructure and human resources—are urgently needed to provide a better future for the youth of Swat.
The increasing migration from Swat Valley, driven by the search for economic opportunities and escape from the harsh climate, is reshaping the region’s social fabric. Upper Swat’s Torwali community, for example, has already seen 40% of its population relocate to urban areas, leading to the erosion of their traditional way of life. As families move away, cultural practices and linguistic traditions that have been preserved for centuries risk being lost. The younger generation, exposed to urban lifestyles, often drifts away from their ancestral roots, and the native Torwali language faces the threat of extinction as fewer people pass it on to their children. These migrations not only diminish Swat’s cultural richness but also weaken the identity of its indigenous communities.
Beyond cultural loss, the social and familial consequences of migration are equally profound. Family bonds, once strong in Swat’s tightly-knit communities, are strained as members are scattered across different regions. Elderly parents are often left behind, struggling with loneliness and the loss of traditional support systems. Social cohesion within villages erodes as populations dwindle, leaving fewer people to participate in communal activities and ceremonies that once united these communities. This shift not only creates emotional and psychological challenges but also undermines the valley's social structure, making it harder to sustain the collective spirit that once defined life in Swat.
Addressing the challenges faced by Swat Valley requires a multi-faceted approach that prioritises sustainable development and resilience. Improving infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and public transportation, is essential to reconnect isolated communities and boost economic activities. Investing in the development of educational institutes and promoting literacy, especially in upper Swat, can empower the youth with skills to create better opportunities locally.
Local industries like tourism, handicrafts, and fisheries need promotion through market access and financial support, while modernising agriculture with advanced techniques and irrigation systems can increase productivity and combat water scarcity. To address the recurring threat of flooding, comprehensive climate adaptation strategies must be implemented, including the construction of flood-resistant infrastructure, reforestation projects, and better disaster management systems. These steps can help Swat Valley rebuild its economy, protect its people, and preserve its cultural and natural heritage.
If these conditions persist, more and more people like Amjad and Ijaz will be forced to leave behind their families, their homes, and their heritage in search of survival. The stories of Amjad and Ijaz are not just individual struggles—they are a collective plea for help from a region crying out for attention. It is imperative for policymakers to recognise this and take action. Investment in Swat’s infrastructure, education, industries, and climate resilience is not just an economic necessity but a moral responsibility. Without immediate and meaningful intervention, the valley will continue to lose its people, and with them, its essence.