That is an advertisement published on the front-page of the Pakistani newspaper Dawn this morning. Two days ago, the paper wrote in an editorial:
Recent incidents along the northern end of the Pakistan-Afghan border amount to nothing less than a low-intensity war. Groups of up to several hundred militants have carried out attacks against anti-Taliban militias and Pakistani security forces in Mohmand and Bajaur agencies and Dir in the last three months… The prevailing theory seems to be that the fighters crossing into Pakistan are those driven out by military operations in Swat and Fata* who sought refuge in Afghanistan. Experts also argue, however, that it is futile to try to separate the roles of the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban in these instances. [Link]
That ad asks you to go to TourSwat.com and see what a beautiful place it is. Indeed, I’d love to visit. The website has a FAQ on whether it’s safe to visit. It reads:
Minor incidents occur in some towns, which can not be used as negation of the real situation. [Link]
Reminds me of the Kashmir tourism ads that have been running on Indian TV channels. Nothing enforces “normalcy” like tourism.
*in 2009
KAFILA - COLLECTIVE EXPLORATIONS SINCE 2006 
At least they have the decency to admit they have problems in the area. How many times has the Indian government said, “We have occupied Kashmir and are holding people’s basic rights hostage at gun-point. We will thus ensure safety of all tourists even while local Kashmiris perish as collateral damage or as a measure by us to subjugate them”?
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Decency? I don’t see them making any such admission. Not in the report and not in the FAQ hidden away on the website. Have you heard a place called Balochistan?
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Anon, you are barking up the wrong tree here. One of the keywords in Kafila’s tagline is “dissent”. But in the recent past Kafila has turned hostile to any dissent. Shivam, your arrogance is driving a lot of good people away from Kafila.
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Yes, I suppose I should let Good People (too good to write their real names and take responsibility for what they write) to drive me away from Kafila!
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You don’t have to, buddy! But what’s in a name, as long as the material is relevant? You believe you in expression of dissent in a political/social setting but not in Kafila.org? By the way, my name is Manohar and hence Rahonam.
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