By Arshid Ahmad Malik
گھاٹ پہ بیٹھا ملاح، نظر میں اداسیاں
نہ سوار ہے گھوڑے پر، نہ ہوٹل میں روشنی
On April 22, 2025, the calm of Baisaran Valley, a breathtaking meadow nestled above Pahalgam, was shattered by the sound of gunfire. An attack by terrorists on tourists in what should have been a safe and scenic spot left not only victims behind but also a heavy cloud of fear over the entire region. It was a tragic reminder that even the most beautiful corners of Kashmir are not untouched by violence.
In the days and weeks that followed, the real damage began to show not just in security reports but in the lives of ordinary Kashmiris. The spring season, which was expected to bring thousands of tourists and much-needed income suddenly collapsed. Hotels that were once fully booked now echo with silence. Tourists cancelled their trips in large numbers and the local economy, already fragile, began to fall apart.
One of the most heartbreaking images is that of pony handlers, who had to release their horses because they could no longer afford to feed them. These horses, once symbols of life and livelihood in Pahalgam now stand idle, waiting for visitors who may not return. The men who led them through mountain trails now sit at home, uncertain of what lies ahead.
Kashmir’s economy depends heavily on tourism. For countless families, especially in places like Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg, the summer season is not just a time of natural beauty it’s their only chance to earn, save, and survive through the year. The Pahalgam attack has not only scared away visitors but has pushed many locals back into uncertainty, joblessness, and silent suffering.
This is not a new story for Kashmir. Time and again, just when things begin to improve, violence returns and everything collapses. Terrorists don’t like Kashmir Improving. It is always the common people who suffer most. Tourists leave but the boatmen, guides, hotel owners, shopkeepers and pony boys stay behind their hopes shattered, their incomes gone.
Government statements and security reviews come every time. But what Kashmir really needs is long-term, consistent peace and serious investment in its economy. The Valley needs protection not just from attacks, but from neglect. Words are no longer enough.
Today, the lush trails of Pahalgam are empty. The hotels stand deserted and the horses once proud partners in every tourist’s journey stand still without purpose.
Behind the beauty of Kashmir is a truth that few want to see, a paradise that keeps suffering and people who continue to pay the highest price for instability they did not create.
Until that changes, Kashmir will remain torn stunning to look at, but silently struggling to breathe.
The beauty of Kashmir may still attract the eye, but today, its people are hurting. Tourists see heaven. We are living in hell.
The Author can be reached at Malik121arshid@gmail.com
“Behind the beauty of Kashmir is a truth that few want to see — a paradise that keeps suffering and people who continue to pay the highest price for instability they did not create.”
“It is always the common people who suffer most. Tourists leave, but the boatmen, guides, hotel owners, shopkeepers and pony boys stay behind — their hopes shattered, their incomes gone.”
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