Dera Ismail Khan

Understand

thumbnail|Mankial Swat valley In the era of the British Raj, this region was known as the Northwest Frontier and the British called its Pashto-speaking people Pathans; today we would say Pushtuns. It was both a perennial trouble spot and the source of many fine recruits for the empire's forces; there were whole regiments of Pathan irregular cavalry. Today there are many Pushtuns in Pakistan's military.

For decades after Pakistan's independence in 1947, the region was divided into the Northwest Frontier Province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), then in 2018 they were merged into a single administrative unit, today's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa offers invitation to a spectacular landscape and cultural diversity. Peshawar is the business and administrative hub of the province though other cities have their places. Some of the tourist’s hotspots include Khyber pass, old interior city, industrial estate famous for smuggled goods, Islamia College, Peshawar fort, (KisaKhawani) story teller bazaar. Its food street is famous for barbecued mutton as well as karahi meat.

There are very amenable people in this area, especially in the mountains in Shandoor and Kalash regions.

Get in

Areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa can be dangerous to for travel. Peshawar’s urban environment or more touristed destinations like Chitral or Swat Valley are generally safer, as opposed to rural areas and those on the border with Afghanistan. Unless traveling to one of these areas of high security concern, it is no longer required to obtain a No Objection Certificate. However, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Authority provides an online registration form. It is strongly recommended to fill this out prior to entering the province.

See

thumbnail|Takht-i-Bahi thumbnail|Beautiful Swat valley

Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi in Mardan Ruins of Sahr-i-Bahlol Bala Hisar Fort in Peshawar Burj Hari Singh - Sikh fort founded by Sikh General Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa (no longer exists) Panch Tirath – An ancient Hindu site now converted into a park The Sikh Temple at Jogan Shah Gor Khuttree – An ancient site of Buddha's alms or begging bowl in Peshawar. Headquarter of Syed Ahmad Shaheed, Governor Avitabile Pakhtu Academy – The site of an ancient Buddhist University Shah Ji Ki Dheri Chowk Yadgar Ghanta Ghar – clock tower in Peshawar Avitabile's Pavilion Victoria Memorial Hall

Do

In the summertime hiking tours to the mountains are offered. Ask at Green Tours in front of the Greens Hotel, Peshawar Cantt, and Pearl Tours of the Pearl Continental Hotels. This can also be done by hiring a car, jeep or pickup from local car rental agencies.

The region is home to Pakistan's oldest near Malam Jabba, albeit modest in size with only 2 pistes.

Eat

Chappal Kabab, a beef kebab shaped like the sole of a sandal is most famous dish of Peshawar. Several famous kabab selling shops are around. Information about them can be obtained from the travel agents or local hotels and guides. The restaurants in Namak Mandi serve marvellous tikka and karai. Meat is ordered by the kilogram, and then prepared according to your preference, either as tikka (barbecued) or as karai (an oil-rich stew with tomato and chili). Faluda, a sweet dish mainly found on the Peshawar markets and bazaars especially Qisa-Khwani Bazaar.

Drink

Peshawar is known for its Kawa (Green Tea) which has a unique flavour, and is usually served sweet. Sharbat-e-Sandal is a sweet, non-carbonated drink unusually found in markets in summer. It has a good taste and a yellowish-green transparent colour - look out for the black seeds. Served ice cold.

Stay safe

thumbnail Northwest Pakistan is an exceptionally dangerous area. Many countries advise against all travel to the territory.The locals have a long history of tribal warfare and banditry. Terror attacks are a common occurrence in the region. Before going to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, check for travel advisories from your government and submit the online registration form provided by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Authority.

The towns bordering tribal areas are not considered particularly safe, and nor are the Afghan-Pakistan border regions, as the Pakistan government has little to no authority in these areas and cannot aid you in an emergency. You should always seek information about off-limits areas before travelling to this region.

Prior permission from the Pakistani government is required before non-Pakistanis can travel to portions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa given the poor security situation in the region. Such permission, known as a No Objection Certificate (NOC), must be obtained from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry. Attempting to enter without an NOC could result in arrest.

Many countries advise against all travel on the N45 Highway, from the north of the Mardan ring road, to the edge of the city of Chitral because of high crime and terrorism incidents.

Afghanistan and Pakistan has a very tense relationship, and since KPK is at the forefront of this dispute, there is frequent military activity. Cross-border attacks may occur in the surrounding areas south and west of Chitral. Lo…