With thousands of followers and subscribers on Instagram and YouTube, Hafsa Asad in a prominent travel blogger, vlogger and influencer. Her Instagram account, KHAAANABADOSH, documents and showcases some of the most beautiful places in Pakistan, places which many people outside the country have never seen or experienced.
Miss Hafsa Asad’s pictures and videos of Pakistan also shatter the negative view many Westeners have of the country and its people. Her work illustrates that “Pakistan is an unexplored heaven”.
Her wonderful travel work also decimates stereotypical gender expectations of girls and women. Therefore, I asked her what challenges solo female travellers still face in the country and how these challenges can be solved.
During the below interview, I also asked Miss Hafsa Asad about whether she thinks that the PTI government is doing enough to facilitate tourism and what she would say to foreigners who are hesitant about holidaying in Pakistan.
_____________________________________________________________________________
M. Raza Hussain: What first motivated you to travel?
Hafsa Asad: Myself. A lot of people inspired me to adopt a travel lifestyle, but the ultimate motivation came from within. I believe Allah has kept peace and healing properties in nature. He made this world for us not just to stay in one place, spend our whole life and die. Instead, He made it for us to explore and ponder the wonders this world carries for us and learn from them.
M. Raza Hussain: What are some of the challenges female travellers face in Pakistan?
Hafsa Asad: The first problem that the majority of female travellers face is to convince their families. Travel lifestyle is not so common here in Pakistan. Secondly, there are still lots of places where females feel scared to travel alone. Thirdly, commute issues. There is a stereotype that bikes are only for men. A girl who rides a bike gets stares like as if she’s doing something wrong.
M. Raza Hussain: What can be done to solve the challenges that you listed above?
Hafsa Asad: To make it acceptable for families we should promote female travelers who are traveling fearlessly and promoting Pakistan. Secondly, we should work on safety. Self-defense classes in schools should be compulsory.
Companies are already working to make travelling more common – and, the Government should start campaigns and initiative to make females more independent.
M. Raza Hussain: Do you think the PTI government is doing enough facilitate tourism in the country?
Hafsa Asad: Yes. A few months back when I went to Kumrat Valley, in the province of KPK, the locals told me the valley got recognized after the visit of our honorable Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan. PTI has worked to promote KPK tourism by personally visiting such places.
This is also highlighted by the fact that they opened several passes for trekkers which were restricted before, like the “Chilinji pass”. They are also working on waste management awareness.
Tourism has increased a lot after the PTI government took office and more and more foreigners are coming to explore the heaven we are blessed with.
M. Raza Hussain: Many parents don’t let their daughters travel solo. How would you convince their parents that they should be given permission?
Hafsa Asad: It was difficult to convince my parents in the beginning but having conversation with hem helped me a lot. I used to sit with my parents for hours and explain why I want to travel. I used to show them videos of other female travel influencers (that is why I mentioned the importance of promoting female travel bloggers/ vloggers).
It takes time for Desi parents to digest it in the beginning but sooner or later they accept it. After all, our parents want to see us happy.
M. Raza Hussain: Many people have a negative view of Pakistan and might hesitate to come to the country. What would you say to those people to change their mind?
Hafsa Asad: Pakistan is an unexplored heaven. If you are not coming here then you’re missing out. People of Pakistan are hospitable and kind. You will receive amount of respect you have never received before. Good and bad people are everywhere in the world but they should not restrict you from travel.
M. Raza Hussain: To finish on a lighter note – what is your most favorite place that you have travelled to so far?
Hafsa Asad: To be honest, every place that I travel to becomes my most favourite. It would be unfair to name just one place, as I love every single place in Pakistan.
______________________________________________________________________________
Interview conducted by Muhammed Raza Hussain. He is an award-winning writer: the Extra-Mile winner of the News Quest Young Reporter Scheme 2014 and the recipient of the ‘Talent for Writing’ certificate by Young Writers. Twitter @MuhammedRaza786 | Instagram: @M.Raza.H_
