Drone Discovery Turns Jab Valley into Pakistan’s New Tourism Hotspot
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Peshawar: Hidden deep within the forested hills of District Haripur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Jab Valley — once an overlooked patch of wilderness — is now being hailed as one of Pakistan’s most breathtaking natural discoveries, all thanks to the eye of a camera and the heart of a young explorer.
The valley, now drawing a steady stream of adventure seekers and nature lovers, owes its growing fame to a chance discovery by Hassan Nisar, a local YouTuber and founder of Metrix Pakistan. In 2021, during one of his exploratory hikes, Nisar launched a drone over the treetops — and what it captured changed everything.
A Drone’s Eye View of Hidden Majesty
“I knew the world needed to see what I saw,” Nisar said, describing the moment his drone revealed a chain of cascading waterfalls thundering through steep green cliffs and disappearing into thick forest below. “From the sky, it was like watching nature breathe.”
He named them the Hazara Waterfalls of Jab Valley — a nod to the geography and cultural roots of the region — and began documenting the area online. Since then, the footage has gone viral multiple times, transforming the remote valley into a rising eco-tourism destination.
Nature Untouched
Just 80 kilometers from Islamabad and 170 kilometers from Peshawar, Jab Valley is within easy reach of urban centers. Located a short 15-kilometer detour from the popular Khanpur Dam, it lies in the same watershed region, with the Haro River — fed by these waterfalls — eventually flowing into the dam that supplies water to Islamabad and surrounding areas.
Despite its accessibility, the valley has remained refreshingly untouched by commercial tourism. Towering pine trees, ancient wild olive groves — locally called Zaitoon — medicinal plants, and thriving populations of migratory birds, porcupines, and native foxes preserve the area’s natural integrity. The only sounds are waterfalls crashing into rocky pools, birds calling overhead, and wind rustling through dense woods.
Sanctuary, Not a Spectacle
“This valley is sacred in its silence,” Nisar said. “It’s not just a tourist spot — it’s a sanctuary. And it deserves to be treated as such.”
Yet, the growing popularity of Jab Valley has not been met with any formal infrastructure or safety provisions from provincial authorities. There are no marked trails, resting areas, signposts, or garbage disposal systems. Visitors must rely on local guides and rugged unpaved tracks to reach the site, often trekking for hours on foot.
Environmentalists warn that without immediate steps to manage the rising number of tourists, the fragile ecosystem could soon face degradation — threatening both the biodiversity of the area and the purity of water flowing downstream.
Community Before Commerce
Rather than wait for government intervention, Nisar and his organization, Metrix Pakistan, have taken matters into their own hands. A youth-led initiative focused on rural empowerment and sustainable innovation, Metrix Pakistan has started training local villagers in eco-tourism, digital storytelling, and environmental conservation.
The goal is simple but powerful: let the valley remain wild, while enabling local communities to benefit economically and protect the environment.
Already, families are earning livelihoods by offering guided hikes, setting up food stalls, and providing logistical support to travelers — all while embracing the valley’s eco-sensitive ethos.
“Our aim is not to alter Jab Valley,” said Nisar. “It’s to uplift those who’ve safeguarded it for generations — and to ensure that what’s natural stays natural.”
An Unwritten Future
While provincial officials have expressed interest in the valley’s potential, no concrete action has yet been taken to protect or promote it. For now, the future of Jab Valley rests in the hands of its residents — and the belief that conservation and community can go hand in hand.
“What started as a personal exploration has become a shared mission,” Nisar reflected. “This valley flows into our rivers, our reservoirs — and our identity. It’s more than just a place to visit. It’s a reminder of what we still have, and what we stand to lose if we’re not careful.”
