Pakistan, Aug. 15 -- I disagree with those who say Swat is not safe! It was difficult for me to convince my family that I wanted to go to Swat because everyone thought that the place was not safe, it has rigid people, women are not secure there and above all the route is risky.

Finally I was able to convince my mother who remained worried because of my decision to go to Swat with my husband. I soon figured out the reason soon why my mother was so discouraging about my trip to Swat and that was the Malakand mountains and the route which was quite dangerous when she had visited the place almost 35 years ago. She had returned scared of the route and the steep and rocky roads.

I started my journey from Lahore to Swat and on my way, I stoppe...