Swat smiles again - photo exhibition in Islamabad

Once known as "Pakistan's Switzerland", Swat valley hit media last year when bloody fights between Pakistan army forces and radicals ousted the Taliban rulers of the area. Now PNCA National Art Gallery of Islamabad is hosting a photo exhibition titled “Swat Smiles Again.” Nearly 300 images, the work of a dozen of photographers including ExWeb correspondent Karrar Haidri, offer a new picture of the area. A tribute to resilience and sacrifice “The exhibition showcases Swat’s recovery and intends to be a reminder of how security forces of the country, backed by the people of Pakistan, have brought back smiles on the faces of the Swat people,” Karrar stated. “It is a tribute to the resilience of the people of Swat and the sacrifices they made in a tough fight against terrorism." "The images capture Swat’s beauty; not only featuring its landscape though, but also the way life is now flourishing in it, and the way people of Swat are celebrating return of calmer times in their lives.” The show was inaugurated some days ago by Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani, who applauded the photographers’ work. “I feel honoured to have taken part in the event,” Karrar said. Swat is a beautiful Pakistani valley located 170 km from Islamabad. Saidu Sharif is the capital, and Mingora the main city in the area. Swat was a princely state in the North West Frontier Province until it was dissolved in 1969. It's natural beauty of high mountains, green meadows and clear lakes has earned Swat a reputation as "the Switzerland of Pakistan.” Various religions have flourished there, including Buddhism, as shown in archaeological sites. In fact, Swat was once home to Buddhism, which then spread to other parts of Asia due to the personal dedication of King Ashoka. During his reign, Buddhism spread to Japan, Tibet, China and Bhutan.