TOURISM OF PAKISTAN: November 2009

Sunday, November 15, 2009

"ISLAMABAD" THE CAPITAL OF PAKISTAN

Islamabad has been the capital of Pakistan since 1963. A relatively quiet city, it consists of mainly Federal Government offices, Parliment House, the official residences of the President and Prime Minister along with the Diplomatic Enclave, an area next to the Parliament House dedicated to foreign embassies and missions appointed in Pakistan.Although the majority of the population in Islamabad traditionally have been employees of the Federal Government, in recent years Islamabad has become a very important financial and business city. In the last decade there has been vast changes in the city's traditional reputation. From it being a typical 9 to 5 city, Islamabad has become more lively with a lot of international food chains opening businesses, and generally a great improvement in night life with increasing shopping areas opening till late. However during winter season streets are considerably quiet after dark.Even now, Islamabad remains a city where people come from all over the country to enjoy its peaceful, noise-free atmosphere with a lot of greenery and nice surrounding scenery. It also serves as a base camp for people from the south and coastal areas like Karachi visiting valleys like Swat and Kaghan and northern areas like Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu & Chitral located in the Himalayas mountains. By planeBenazir Bhutto International Airport (IATA: ISB) receives flights from a variety of international destinations, including London, Dubai, and other Asian cities.By busNiazi express,Skyways and Daewoo Sammi (+92 51 111 007 008) are 2 of the nicer long-haul operators. Skyways offer some direct services to/from Islamabad and Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi. Daewoo has it's own terminal on the road from Islamabad just outside Rawalpindi. The majority of buses arrive and depart from Rawalpindi, a few kilometers and a 45 minute taxi ride from Islamabad. It's best to book Daewoo by phone in advance if possible. At the moment they serve Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore, Murree, Sialkot, Abottabad, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad and Multan.By trainSince First Class travel with Pakistan Railway is good, it's worth knowing that Rawalpindi, the neighbourhood city, has railway connections with various major cities including Karachi, Lahore & PeshawarGet aroundTaxis in Islamabad are abundant, popular and generally safe. Cost is around Rs35 - Rs45 per sector traveled, depending on your bargaining skills. Prices will be higher at night, especially departing from places like Jinnah Super (F-7). It is always advisable to agree the fare before traveling.Car Hire is also a good way of getting around. Although road signs and directions are only available on main roads, the city's grid and numbering system make it relatively easy to find your way around. There are various car hire companies in Blue Area F-6 and also in G-8 Markaz where cars can be hired with drivers. Most major hotels have their own car hire services and are relatively cheap. A tip to the driver at the end of the booking period is appreciated but not mandatory. SeeBlue Area, Islamabad's financial center. Constitution Avenue National Art gallery Daman-e-Koh, a lookout point in the hills above E-6 with great views of the city on a clear day/night. There is a restaurant and snack stall, and plenty of locals there to relax. Also see Zoo, Japanese park. Pir Sohawa. Birds eye view of Islamabad. There are now two eateries at Pir Sohawa and both worth visiting. A walk up from Trail 3, from F-6/3 will get you to the hill top in around 2 hours with the perfect appetite, but you can reach Pir Sohawa by road in around 35-40 minutes. Margalla Hills. Take a nice nature walk in the hills surrounding Islamabad. Faisal Masjid, Islamabad's most recognizable landmark, a very large mosque gifted by King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. Beautiful in the day or night, definitely worth the short taxi ride. Dress and act respectfully, this is much more a place of serious worship than a tourist site. Shakarparian is another wonderful place. Consist of beautiful hilly area for a nice evening walk in a green natural atmosphere. National Monument near Shakarparian Lok Virsa Museum, recently renovated, a delight. Definitely worth a visit. Pakistan Museum of Natural historyslamabad Museum Rawal lake promenade Attend open-air theater or just sit by the Lotus lake and relax. Check to see if there are is anything happening. The schedules are entirely calendar and weather dependant. Caravan Park is at a little distance away from the Shakarparian Hills. This park is open and accessible only for foreigners, making it exclusive and safe. Adequate facilities are provided to make visitors to the area comfortable and at home. Rose & Jasmine Garden is located near Islamabad sports complex & Jinnah Stadium. South of Shahrah-e-Kashmir road and east of Islamabad Highway. Not too far from Rawal Lake. Fatima Jinnah park is the largest fenced park in South Asia. There is plenty of development taking place there at the moment, but no matter which gate you enter from, you should be able to find plenty of walk ways, some grass and lots of other people just taking a break. The park will often be full of cricketers and unless you're playing - walk around them. (You'd just be in their way). You will also find tennis courts, occasionally a few people playing volleyball or basketball. The park also has an indoor facility with a nice bowling alley. China town is one of the best restaurants in Islamabad. It offers Sichuan Cuisine with Firepot as one of it's specialities coupled with the modern blend where the waiters use PDAs to take orders. China Town enjoys a very loyal patronage from its customers. The restaurant is being re-located to a beautiful 8,000 sq ft building on Street 55, F-8/4. It features a professional kitchen in the basement, a beautiful lounge on ground floor, a fine dining hall on the first floor, and a roof top sitting with a fantastic view of Margallas. Saidpur Village Chattar bagh is a small park in the hills, around 25 minutes away from Islamabad. A water park with a few amusement rides, but will not offer much excitement for those who have seen other amusement parks or water parks. Imam Barri Shrine Historical shrine of a Sufi saint located in the beautiful valley of NurPur Shahan (Islamic religious site). Golra Sharif Shrine of Pir Mehr Ali Shah(RA), a Sufi Saint located in a village of Golra (Islamic religious site). Taxila, World's oldest university. Taxilla is also home to one of the oldest civilizations, and has a museum that boasts plenty of interesting pieces. Worth a visit and a picnic. Should you be interested further in the subject, guided tours can be arranged for sites around the museum. Murree, One hour scenic journey through beautiful mountains to the hill resort of Murree which is a nice place to visit especially during summers. A small place has a weather entirely different to that of Islamabad and much similar to most cities of Northern Europe. High class educational institues such as Lawrence College, Convent of Jesus and Mary,and the Presentation Convent are the hallmark of Murree. Chairlifts of Murree and Patriata, Kashmir point are attractions for tourists. A two kilometer "Mall" is the center of gravity of Murree where all the shops and hotels are located. A place worth visiting during your stay in Islamabad

PRESERVATION TIME "SURAJ KUND"

MULTAN: The historical temple of Suraj Kund which is on the list of 52 monuments to be preserved on the pattern of Morocco’s city Fez, awaits action from the authorities as it is nearing collapse.The temple is located in the south of the city on Old Shujabad Road. Historian Hafeez Khan says according to Hindu mythology Hiranyakashyapu was the king of Multan who had a sister, Holika, and a son, Prahlad.Hiranyakashyapu was blessed by Brahma (god) that no known man or animal born in the natural process could kill him; that he could not die in the day or in the night, on earth or in heavens, either by fire, water or by any weapon. After getting the blessing, he commanded his subjects to worship him but his son, Prahlad, refused to do so.He said that the king asked Holika who had power to remain safe in fire to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad. She was unaware of the fact the boon worked only when she entered the fire alone. Prahlad came out unharmed while Holika was burnt to ashes.The act of the king enraged Lord Vishnu who incarnated himself as Narasimha or Narsingh (half-man, half-lion) to destroy Hiranyakashyap. Narsingh, neither a man nor an animal, came out of a broken pillar, and tore up Hiranyakashyap. It was dusk time -- neither day nor night -- and satisfied the condition of Brahma's boon and destroyed the evil, he added.‘To cool down, the indignant of Vishnu, sun god, moon god, star god and others descended from the heavens at a place near the temple that was already situated there. Vishnu took both from the nearby pool (Kund) and an idol of Narsingh was placed in the temple by removing the idol of Hiranyakashyap,’ he said.He said that the pool where Narsingh had taken bath became the holiest place for the Hindus and they visited Multan from all over India to take bath (Ashnan) in this pool.He said that the place where all gods were landed had become holy for the Hindus and they distributed Parshad (sweets) to pay homage to their gods.‘Interestingly, the place is sacred for the Muslims. Here, Shah Shams Subzwari brought down the sun to roast a piece of meat when the people of Multan refused to give him fire. A mosque was made there after Partition as before partition all the population of Suraj Kund was Hindu,’ he said.He said that Dewan Sawan Mul who remained governor of Multan for 23 years (1821-1844) concreted the pool and also rebuilt the old temple.Waris Ali who witnessed the glory of the temple before partition told Dawn that after the announcement of the creation of Pakistan, the Muslims of the nearby villages attacked Suraj Kund and burnt the temple. Bundu Das, the caretaker of the temple, escaped with the idol.He said that before the start of winter, Hindu devotees would lay blankets there for visitors and before the start of summer hand-fans.Punjab Archeology Department in charge Malik Ghulam Muhammad told Dawn the department was preparing PC-I of 52 monuments for preservation under a Prime Minister’s Development Package.

JINNAH'S GARDEN (BAGH-E-JINNAH) LAHORE.

Bagh-e-Jinnah (or Jinnah's Garden) is a historical park in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. It was formerly known as Lawrence Gardens. Today, the large green space contains a botanical garden, a mosque, and Jinnah library situated in a Victorian building.There are also entertainment and sports facilities within the park that comprise of an open-air theatre, a restaurant, tennis courts and the Gymkhana Cricket Ground. It is located on Lawrence Road next to Lahore Zoo, directly across from the Governor's House on The Mall.Originally built as botanical garden modelled on Kew Gardens, it was named after John Lawrence, Viceroy of India from 1864 to 1869.[1] The place used to hold his statue, which was later moved to Foyle and Londonderry College in Northern Ireland.Jinnah Garden Lahore that is situated on 141 Acrs at this time, earlier it was in 176 acres, but the land was given to Lahore zoo, botanical garden govt. college university Lahore and to roads alongside the garden. now it is almost the plant area except roads building is 121 Acres. it is most beautiful and well managed botanical garden in Pakistan. it has almost 150 varieties of trees, 140 types of shrubs, 50 types of creepers, 30 palms, almost 100 succulent and about same indoor along with almost all varieties of annual flowers. garden has a good name in Chrysanthemum shows, it was the first institute that started growing chrysanthemum and maximum no of varieties for it. it has 3 nurseries, 4 hilloaks in it. it has two libraries, quaid-e-azam library and Daruslam in it.The park hosts a famous cricket ground since 1885, built for the entertainment of government officers and civil servants.[2] The ground maintained its Test Status from 1955 till 1959 when the venue moved to Gaddafi Stadium.The park receives a nostalgic mention of the 1970s and 1980s life in Bano Qudsia's remarkable urdu novel Raja Gidh. The Park has a Tomb of Shia' Sufi Known as Baba Turat Muraad Shah, with a heavy number of visitors.

TAKHT BHAI

Takht Bahi (or Takhtbai or Takht-i-Bahi) is a Buddhist monastic complex dating to the 1st century BCE. The complex is regarded by archaeologists as being particularly representative of the architecture of Buddhist monastic centers from its era. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
Takht means "throne" and bahi, "water" or "spring" in Urdu. The monastic complex was called Takht-i-Bahi because it was built atop a hill watered by a spring.It is located about 15 kilometers from Mardan in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province. A small fortified city, dating from the same era, sits nearby.The ruins also sit near a modern village known by the same name.Structure - There are four main areas of the Takht Bahi complex:The "Stupa Court", a cluster of stupas located in a central courtyard.The monastic chambers, consisting of individual cells arranged around a courtyard, assembly halls, and a dining area.A temple complex, consisting of stupas and similar to the Stupa Court, but of later construction.The Tantric monastic complex, which consists of small, dark cells with low openings, which may have been used for certain forms of Tantric meditation.Additional structures on the site may have served as residences or meeting halls, or filled secular purposes. All of the buildings on the site are constructed from local stone, and are mortared with lime and mud.HistoryThe monastic complex likely was founded in the early 1st Century BCE. Despite numerous invasions into the area, Takht Bhai's hilltop location seems to have protected it from destruction, unlike many comparable early Buddhist monastic complexes. The complex was occupied continuously until the modern era, when charitable funding for the site ended.Archaeologists have divided the history of the complex at Takht Bhai into four periods, beginning in the 1st Century BCE. This first era continued until the 2nd Century CE, and is associated with the Kushan king Kanishka, as well as early Parthian and later Kushana king. The second construction period, which included the creation of the Stupa Court and assembly hall, took place during the 3rd and 4th Centuries CE. A third construction period, associated with the later Kushan dynasty and the Kidara Kushana rulers, occurred during the 4th and 5th centuries. The final construction period, which saw the creation of the so-called Tantric complex, took place in the 6th and 7th Centuries CE, and was overseen by invading Hun rulers.The first moder historical reference to these ruins was made in 1836 by the French Officer, General Court. Explorations and excavations on this site began in 1864. The site underwent a major restoration in the 1920's.Nearby LocalitiesThe villages of Lund Khwar, Sher Garh, Charsadda Sehri-Bahlol and Takkar are other historical places in the vicinity of Takht-Bhai. Takkar is a historical village. Sardar Ali Takkar, a well known pashtu-language singer, was born in the village of Takkar. Takhtbai contains the remains of Buddha which has not been properly excavated. The word "Sehri-Bahlol" has been explained by various people in different ways.The local people, claim that this is a word of Hindi Language and means "Sir Bahlol", a prominent political and religious leader of the area. However, the name is not as old as the village of Sehri-Bahlol. The village is located on hillack surrounded by lush green fields where the local people practice agriculture. Economically people are poor with low literacy rates. The local people continue illegal excavation in their homes and land, damaging the historical monuments. Some of the local dealers of antiques misguide the local population and instigate them to involve them in illegal excavation. It requires national and international attention to preserve the remnants at Sehri-Bahlol

JINNAH HOUSE

Jinnah House was the residence of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan; in Mumbai, India. It was built in 1936 at a then exorbitant price of 2 lakh (200,000) rupees when Jinnah returned to Mumbai from England to take charge of the Muslim League. Now worth around $60 million the house is the subject of a dispute between India, the government of Pakistan and Jinnah's daughter Dina Wadia. The bungalow is located on Mount Pleasant Road (now Bhausaheb Hirey Marg) in the upmarket Malabar Hill area of South Mumbai. Its opposite neighbour is the residence of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.Designed by architect Claude Batley in the European-style architecture, the sea facing palatial bungalow was constructed using exquisite Italian marble and walnut woodwork. Specially imported Italian stone masons were employed for its construction with Jinnah personally supervising the construction "brick by brick". The property encompasses an area of 10,000 square metres (2.5 acres). The mansion, with its pointed arches and impressive columns, is currently in a dilapidated state, and much of the walnut panelling has rotted.The historic building was also the venue for the watershed talks on the Partition of India in September 1944 between Jinnah and MK Gandhi. Ironically on 15 August 1946, exactly a year before India gained independence, another round of talks was held here between Jinnah and Jawaharlal Nehru which altered the course of Indian history.Mansion inhabitantsJinnah was extremely attached to his house. After India was partitioned, Mumbai remained a part of India and Jinnah left his abode as he became the Governor General of Pakistan. He requested to Nehru, the then Indian Prime Minister to allot his house to any foreign consulate, preferably European, as he wished it to be given to a European family who would appreciate the architecture. Nehru acceded to Jinnah's request and offered him a monthly rent of three thousand rupees. Unfortunately Jinnah died in September 1948 before the deal could be finalised.As a personal favour to Jinnah, Nehru did not declare the property as Enemy Property, as was done to most properties held by emigrants to Pakistan. In 1955, in a Cabinet speech he suggested it be gifted to the Government of Pakistan, but could not gain the sanction of the Cabinet. Though India's Foreign minister and the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan suggested that the mansion be handed over to Pakistan in 1956, the suggestion never materialised.The premises were leased to the British High Commission as the residence of the Deputy High Commissioner from 1948 to 1983. The first floor of the building also held the offices of senior Commission officials. It remained vacant until 2003, when a part of it was given to the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to be used for cultural activities. In March 2005, India's Minister of State for External Affairs, E Ahemad reiterated that the house would remain as a cultural centre.Ownership disputePakistan had since 1979 requested that India sell the property, or at least lease it to its government as a tribute to its founder in order to convert it into their Consulate. Though Narasimha Rao, India's foreign minister in 1980, agreed in principle to lease Jinnah House as the residence of local Consulate-General of Pakistan, the plan was never realised.During his visit to India, then Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf had suggested to the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that it should be given to Pakistan so that it could be turned into a consulate. Talks in June 2004 between the foreign ministers of the two countries over the land resulted did not gain any guarantees from India.In May 2005 Pakistan High Commission officials were shown around various properties in Mumbai and its suburbs for the setting up of its consulate but not the Jinnah House. Indian government sources say that the claim by the Jinnah's heirs will be treated "sympathetically", and have no intention of handing it to Pakistan.Recently Dina Wadia has been involved in litigation regarding Jinnah House claiming that Hindu Law is applicable to Jinnah as he was a Khoja Shia.

KATASRAJ TEMPLE

Katasraj temple is a Hindu temple situated in Katas village in the Chakwal district of Punjab in Pakistan. Dedicated to Shiva, the temple has existed since the days of Mahābhārata and the Pandava brothers spent a substantial part of their exile at the site. The Pakistan Government is considering nominating the temple complex for World Heritage Site status. It also proposes to spend about Rs 20 million in three phases for the restoration of the complex.HistoryMost of the temples, located some 40 km from the modern city of Chakwal in the Potohar region of northern Punjab in Pakistan, were built during the reign of Hindu kings. These several temples were built around 900 years ago or more, although the earliest of the Katasraj temples dates back to the latter half of the 6th century A.D Scholars believe that most of the temples were actually constructed when the Shahi kingdom, driven from Afghanistan when their ethnic cousin Mahmud of Ghanavi came to power, fled to the region and set up base there.The temple was abandoned by local Hindus when they migrated to East Punjab in 1947. It has always been the site of holy pilgrimage for people of various faiths. Even nowadays, worshippers from all faiths perform pilgrimages to the temple every year and bathe in the sacred pool around which Katasraj is built.After IndependenceThe two semi-ruined temples of the Hindushahiya period (650-950 AD) have been frequently photographed by newspapers and history journals. The holy pond was littered with garbage, while the murals inside the temples disappeared due to the ravages of time and the neglect of the authorities.Renovation by the Government of PakistanIn 2006-07, Pakistan decided to place idols of Hindu gods in the seven temples and restore them to their original state to attract visitors. The budget allocated for the project was Rs. 51.06 million. The temple was visited by India's former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani in 2005. The government decided to import idols of Hindu gods from various monuments in India to Pakistan for the restoration. A three-member archaeological team visited neighbouring India, Sri Lanka and Nepal to collect idols of Hindu gods.LocationThe Katasraj temples are located 40 kilometres from Chakwal District. It takes a little effort to reach Katasraj by road - one has to go off the M2 motorway - (Islamabad - Lahore) at the KallarKhar interchange. Then follow the road to Choa Saiden Shah for 24 km. just past the cement factory the road passes through the temple complex, with the major temple complex and the pond on the right. It is a picturesque sight.ArchitectureThe Katas site houses the Satgraha, a group of seven ancient temples, remains of a Buddhist stupa, a few medieval temples, havelis and some recently constructed temples, scattered around a pond considered holy by Hindus. The temples at Katas are mostly constructed on square platforms. The elevation of the sub shrines seems to form a series of cornices with small rows of pillars, crowned by a ribbed dome.The Ramachandra temple is situated to the east of the Hari Singh Haveli and is closed from all sides except for an entrance on the east. The double-storied structure has eight rooms of various dimensions on the ground floor and a staircase at the south leading to the first floor. The temple has two jharokas (balconies) that have been severely damaged.The Hanuman temple is on the western extreme of a high rectangular enclosure with entrances on the south and the north. The temple's ceiling is undecorated, and lime-plastered. The Shiva temple is also built on a square platform. Its entrance is a recessed round arch with faint cusps and a rectangular opening to the north.Katasraj temple complex is believed to date back to the Mahabharata era. There are stories about the Pandavas spending time there during their long exile. The lake in the complex is believed to have magical powers and supposed to be where Yudhisthira defeated the Yaksha with his wisdom to bring his brothers back to life.LegendsMany legends are associated with the temples, some of them involving Shiva himself. Legend says that the five Pandava brothers, heroes of the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata, stayed here for four out of the 14 years that they spent in exile.Another legend involves the death of Shiva's wife Satti; the story goes that when she died he cried so much and for so long that his tears created two holy ponds - one at Pushkara in Ajmer and the other at Ketaksha, which literally means "raining eyes" in Sanskrit. It is from this name that the word Ketas is derived. Another version of the legend mentions the two pools at Katasraj and Nainital.Another legend involves the death of Shiva's horse Katas; the story goes that when that horse died he cried so much and for so long that his tears created two holy ponds - one at Pushkara in Ajmer and the other at Ketaksha, which literally means "raining eyes" in Sanskrit. It is from this name that the word Ketas is derived. Another version of the legend mentions the two pools at Katasraj and Nainital.People bathe in that holy pond and seek forgiveness as Hindu belief holds that bathing in the pond (especially on certain occasions) causes the forgiveness of sins and helps attain salvation. Many people believe that this will come from bathing in the pond at any time. Depth of this holy pond is still myster.

THE BRITISH ERA

The British eraIn 1828 the first westerner to visit Quetta described it as a mud-walled fort surrounded by 300 mud houses. Although occupied briefly by the British during the First Afghan War in 1839, it was not until 1876 that Quetta came under permanent British control with Robert Sandeman being made the political agent in Baluchistan. Since Partition the population of Quetta has increased dramatically.1935 EarthquakeBefore the devastating earthquake of 7.1 magnitude on 31 May 1935, Quetta was a bright and bustling city with multi-storey buildings. The few minutes of the earthquake must have seemed like hours to the citizens of Quetta. The city was almost completely destroyed during this earthquake and was virtually razed to the ground in the small hours of the morning of that fateful day, when about 40,000 people perished. Today, houses are generally single storey and quake proof, built with bricks and reinforced concrete. The preferred structure is generally of lighter material. Incidentally, the bricks of Quetta are known to have a yellowish tinge unlike the red variety of Sindh and the Punjab.GeographyQuetta city consists of a valley and is a natural fort, surrounded as it is by imposing hills on all sides. The encircling hills have the resounding names of Chiltan, Takatoo, Murdar and Zarghun. surrounded by three different mountain ranges. It is north west of Karachi and south west of Islamabad.ClimateQuetta has a continental arid climate with high variations between summer and winter temperatures. Summer high's can reach 46 o C (115 o F) while winter temperatures can drop to -26 o C (-15 o F).Summers start in late May and go on till early September with average temperatures ranging from 24-26 o C (75-78 o F). Autumn starts in late September and goes on till mid-November with average temperatures in the 12-18 o C (55-65 o F) range. Winters start in late November and end in late March, with average temperatures near 4-5 o C (39-42 o F) and snowfall in the months of January and February. Spring starts in early April and ends in late May, with average temperatures close to 15 o C (60 o F).Unlike most of Pakistan, Quetta does not have a monsoon season of sustained, heavy rainfall. The snowfall in the winter months is the principle mode of precipitation.Civic AdministrationUnder the latest revision of Pakistan's administrative structure, promulgated in 2001, Quetta was tagged as a City District, and divided into two towns: 1. Zarghoon Town, 2. Chiltan Town. Each town in turn consists of a group of union councils (U.C.'s).Demography - CultureThe city in general is dominated by the Pashtuns. Others include Baloch, Brahuis, Hazaras and Punjabis. During the summer season, the main bazaars are full of people from all over Pakistan. The merchants are mainly Pushtun people. Some Hazarass immigrated from Afghanistan before the partition.SportsFootball is popular in Quetta, which has produced more renowned players then any other part of Pakistan. Sadiq Shaheed Football Ground is the best-known football squad. Teams in Quetta include Afghan Football, Hazara Green Football, Baluch Football and Quetta Bazigars Club. Among the famous footballers of Quetta are: Taj Senior; Taj Junior; Qayyum Changezi; Agha Gul; Abdul Wahid Durrani (Wahido) Mohammad Younas Changezi; Mohammad Ismaeel Durrani (famous goal keeper) in the Indian subcontinent and his son Dawood Durrani of PIA football team, Kazim Ali Sheralyat (Former Capt of Pakistan Football Team), Master Siddique and Sher Ali. Sher ali is now training young sportsmen at PakTurk International School and Colleges Quetta. Additionally, Shoaib Khan of Quetta has played for the Pakistan Cricket Team.In field hockey, Quetta has produced Zeeshan Ashraf and Shakeel Abbasi who are still representing the Pakistan national field hockey team.In Mountain climbing and caving, Hayatullah Khan Durrani (Pride-of-Performance), chief executive of Hayat Durrani Water Sports Academy (HDWSA) at Hanna Lake Quetta.In Kayaking, Muhammad Abubakar Durrani, National Junior Champion and Mr. Farhan Ullah Kakar.Body building notables include: Shoukat Ali Changezi - Mr.Norway; Din Mohammad Brohvi - Mr. Pakistan; and Noorullah Khan Durrani - Mr. Pakistan Runner-up.In squash Hiddy Jahan Khan was ranked among the top-6 players in the world from 1970 through to 1986. In recent years, British Open champion Qamer Zaman also hails from Quetta. Other famous squash players include: Zarak Jahan Khan; Abdul Wali Khan Khilji; Hamayoon Khan Khilji; Zubair Jahan Khan; Shams ul Islam Khan Kakar; Tariq Rahim Khan Kakar; and Shaied Zaman Khan.Boxing Olympians from Quetta include: Abdul Salam Khan Kakar; Syed Ibrar Ali Shah; Asghar Ali Changezi; and Haider Ali Changezi.In weight lifting Mohammad Alam Khan Kakar and Dilawer Khan Kilje are reknown

QUETTA

Quetta is the largest city and the provincial capital of the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. It is an important marketing and communications centre for Pakistan with neighbouring Iran and Afghanistan. It is situated at an average elevation of 1654 metres (5429 feet) metres above sea level. HistoryQuetta is derived from kuatta, meaning "fort" in the Pashto language. The city is a natural fort, surrounded by imposing hills on all sides. The hills are called Chiltan, Takatu, Mehrdar (so called because of its beauty, but now better known as Murdar), and Zarghun.It is not known when Quetta was first inhabited, but most likely it was settled during the 6th century. The region remained part of the Sassanid Persian Empire and was later annexed by the Rashidun Caliphate during the 7th century Islamic conquest. It remained part of the Umayyad and Abassid Empires. However, the first detailed account of Quetta was in the 11th century when it was captured by Mahmud of Ghazni during one of his invasions of the Indian subcontinent. In 1543 the Mughal emperor Humayun rested in Quetta on his retreat to Persia, leaving his one-year-old son Akbar in the city until his return two years later. The Mughals ruled Quetta until 1556, when the Persians conquered the city, only to have it retaken by Akbar in 1595. The powerful Khans of Kalat held the fort from 1730.

BAHAWALPUR - ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

Bahawalpur State (1833-1955) has a unique architecture blended with Italian style. It was comprised of three districts (Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan). The last ruler Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V ruled the State (1907-55) before it merged into the unitary province of Pakistan. The State reached the zenith of its glory under his rule, as he transformed Bahawalpur into an excellence of learning and centre of architecture. Various schools, colleges, palaces, mosques, hospitals and a library and university were built during his time.Since ATP readers have already been talking about Bahawalpur architecture through the Photo Quiz on Noor Mahal and then again on the Baghdad-ul-Jadeed Railway station, it makes sense to talk about this scope and history of this architectural heritage at greater length.Sadiqgarh Palace (Sleeping Beauty Castle) is situated at Dera Nawab Sahib (Ahmedpur East), about 30 miles away from Bahawalpur, was the headquarters of the State. More than 1000 employees were deployed for the maintenance and beautification of the Palace and its lush green lawns. Nearly 100 rooms were decorated with crystal chandeliers, drapes, paintings and carpets.

After NawabÃ¢â‚â„¢s death, the Palace had been sealed by the government for many decades due to a dispute among heirs. Many antiques had been stolen from the Sadiqgarh Palace and were sold in cities like Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. The building of that glory now gives a deserted and shabby look surrounded by wild shrubs. The palace desperately needs

maintenance and repair for the restoration of its grandeur.Noor Mahal and Gulzar Mahal are the most elegant buildings in Bahawalpur built in the Italian style. Both the buildings are now under the control of Army. However, the army purchased the Noor Mahal some years back by paying Rs. 120 million to the heirs. It is unique in its architecture and is splendid with beautiful lawns and driveways.The late Nawab established various educational institutes in the State such as Islamia University Bahawalpur, Sadiq Public School Bahawalpur, Sadiq Egerton College Bahawalpur, Sadiq Dane High School Bahawalpur, Jamia Masjid al Sadiq Bahawalpur. The Central Library Bahawalpur is another landmark of Bahawalpur architecture which was built in 1924. This is the second largest library in Punjab having various manuscripts and rare books.

The famous Fort Derawar was once the capital of Bahawalpur State. It was built in thirteenth century by the Rajputs of Jaiselmer. The Nawabs of Bahawalpur conquered it in eighteenth century. It was a birth place of many Nawabs. The rulers of Bahawalpur give great importance to Derawar as their royal cemetery is near Derawar.Derawar is about 65 miles away from Bahawalpur in Cholistan desert. The historic Derawar Fort, enormous and impressive structure in the heart of Cholistan desert, is rapidly crumbling and if the immediate prevent

ative measures are not taken, the edifice will be destroyed and the historians, researchers and sightseers deprived of the view of the legacy of the bygone era. The legacy of Bahawalpur state has been in ruins like many other historical places of the country. These building have potential to attract a great deal of tourists. But what the heirs and the government need is a good planning and political will. Otherwise it will turn into sands like many other forts in Cholistan like Maujgarh, Dingarh, Islamgarh and Marot

GAWADAR PORT - INTERNATIONAL ACCESS

I wanted to write on this topic for many months. Finally I’ve got around to write on it. Most of our readers know Pakistan inaugurated its third deep sea port in Gwadar in March 2005. It became operational in March 2008 when first the ship carrying 52000 tonnes of wheat from Canada berthed here. In my opinion a great news of development for Pakistan, especially as a project whose foundation stone was laid just three years ago on March 22, 2002 and its first phase got finished on time in March 2005. Phase I includes building of three multipurpose berths. Gwadar port operations are run by the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) under a 40-year agreement.So far so good. But what are the strategic and political implications of this project. A quick search on internet will reveal a plethora of conspiracy theories. Some even call it a useless port for Pakistan. Others call it a part of new Great Game being played across the Balochistan province of Pakistan. So what is it? In my opinion this is a brilliantly planned project and a great strategic move by Pakistan. With Pakistan Motorway Project connecting Gwadar to Peshawar via Punjab, a World Class Coastal Highway (N10) connecting Gwadar to Karachi, it may very well become the trade hub for this century. But while Pakistan has played its best move, other regional and global powers are also not sitting silent and they are making their own moves making Gwadar port a project with multi-dimensonal consequences.Dimension One: Pakistan’s Strategic Interests(1) Gwadar is located only 180 nautical miles from the Strait of Hormuz through which 40% of World’s Oil passes. Gwadar could thus emerge as the key shipping hub in the area providing mass trade to central asian republics as well as across Pakistan and China. A road from Gwadar to Saindak is completed. Saindak is already connected to the RCD Highway (N35) and through Quetta-Chaman it provides the shortest route for trade with Central Asian Republics.(2) Pakistan also needed a deep sea port away from Karachi so that in times of hostilities Pakistan Navy doesn’t get blockaded. With all the navy ships concentrated at Karachi port, a blockade of Pakistan had been quite easy in the past. With Jinnah Naval Base at Ormara and Gwadar port, PN should be able to spread out its assets. For reference, Gwadar port is 450 km further away from Indian Border than Karachi Port.(3) Gwadar port will directly and indirectly bring lots of wealth, trade and infrastructure advancement to the area which has been traditionally left behind in developement. Compare it to how Karachi port transformed a once sleepy fishing village to a megapolis.Dimension Two: Chinese Interests in Reaching Blue Waters(1) It is also widely claimed that there is a Chinese interest in reaching the blue waters of Arabian Sea. This is cited as a strategic move by Chinese as they funded US $198 million (out of total phase I cost of US $248 million) and also provided 450 Engineers on site to finish the project on time. It is said that China is trying to develop its Western regions at par with its Eastern regions to reduce the economic gap within China and to stop the internal migration of people from West to East. It is famously called their ‘Go West’ policy. To market products produced in Western China, ports of Shanghai or other eastern ports are almost 3000 km away from the western production centers where as Gwadar provides access to a port at just 1500 km.(2) There is another dimension to this project where Gwadar port is considered as the naval outpost for the Chinese. It has been called part of ‘String of Pearls’ strategy of Chinese where they’ve got hold of strategic ports in Gwadar, Bangladesh, SriLanka, Burma, Thailand, Combodia, and South China Sea etc. On a world map, these ports form of string (of pearls) which may form as Chinese line of defense to control oil movement. 80% of oil used in China goes through shipping lines of Malacca Straits. This strategy of a series of ports along the oil shipment routes gives China a forward footing. It is said that China is also wary that US may cut off its oil supplies through Malacca straits in case of any increase of hostilities on Taiwan issue

.(3) China has however, always denied that Gwadar will ever be used by Chinese military. Publicly they have always called it a civilian port of Pakistan.Dimension Three: Iranian and Indian Interests in the Area(1) Gwadar port is also making regional players nervous. Iran which is only 72 km away from Gwadar considers it as an economic threat taking business away from Iranian ports. So in competition to Gwadar, Iran has developed its own port called Chabahar with the help of India. Chabahar is located in Iranian Balochistan province of Seestan. India is also building 213 km long road to connect this Iranian port with Afghanistan. India is eyeing this Iranian port as its own shortest route to Central Asian markets and may be a counter balance to Chinese influence in Gwadar.(2) India may also consider the Chinese influence in Gwadar as a move by China to encircle India, hence their interest in developing Iranian port of Chabahar.Dimension Four: Baloch Nationalist Interests(1) Now if you thought that was all, don’t forget the nationalist angle to Gwadar port. Baluchi people in whose province this port has been developed are not 100% behind the project. Their apprehensions are that other provinces will reap the real economic benefits of this development. There is also a resentment against the labor for the port coming from other provinces as well as the real estate boom that Gwadar is seeing is going to people from outside Balochistan. This has resulted in some violence in the area including some attacks even targeted against the Chinese engineers.The attacks against the Chinese also gives rise to the speculation that our friendly neighbors may be inciting Balochi nationalism for their own economic agenda but there has to be some truth that Baluchis deserve more share in their province’s resources.I really hope our political leadership use their acumen to pacify feelings of alienation among Balochis otherwise Pakistan will see the benefits from Gwadar port scaling down to none.Photo of the beautiful Gwadar town below.

Chronology of Gwadar Port:1964: Gwadar identified as a port site in Pakistan1993: Feasibility Studies started by Pakistan for a deep seaport at Gwadar.May 2001: Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji under-writes the Gwadar Port Project on his visit to PakistanMarch 22, 2002: Chinese Vice Premier Wu Bangguo laid the foundation of Gwadar Port.May 3, 2004: Three Chinese engineers are killed and 11 others injured in an attack while traveling to Gwadar.November 2004: A Chinese cargo vessel carrying port building equipment successfully berthed at Gwadar Port.March 2005: Phase I of Gwadar Port project completed and the port inaugurated by the Chinese Premier.March 2008: First ship anchors at the Gwadar port, bringing 52000 tonnes of Wheat from CanadaScope of Gwadar Port Project:Phase I: Us $ 248 million. Status: 100% Complete3 Multipurpose BerthsLength of Berths 602m4.5 Km long Approach Channel Dredged to 11.5m-12.5m.Turning Basin 450m dia.One 100m Service Berth.Related port infrastructure and port handling equipment & Pilot Boat, Tugs, Survey Vessel etc.Phase II: US $ 932 million: Work Progressing on building 9 additional berths, which will be.

WAZIR KHAN MOSQUE

The Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, is famous for its extensive faience tile work. It has been described as ' a mole on the cheek of Lahore'. It was built in seven years, starting around 1634-1635 A.D., during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. It was built by Shaikh Ilm-ud-din Ansari, a native of Chiniot, who rose to be the court physician to Shah Jahan and later, the Governor of Lahore. He was commonly known as Wazir Khan. (The word wazir means 'minister' in Urdu language.) The mosque is located inside the Inner City and is easiest accessed from Delhi Gate.ConstructionIn his published notes, F H Andrews, former Principal of the Mayo School of Arts, describes the mosque thus: 'The material used in the construction of the Mosque is a small tile-like brick universally used by the Mughals when stone was unusable or too costly. The only stone used in the building is used for brackets and some of the fretwork (pinjra). The walls were coated with plaster (chunam) and faced with a finely-soft quality of the same material tooled to a marble-like surface and coloured. All the external plasterwork was richly coloured a rich Indian red, in true fresco, and the surface afterwards picked out with white lines in the similitude of the small bricks beneath. The extreme severity of the lines of the building is relieved by the division of the surfaces into slightly sunk rectangular panels, alternatively vertical and horizontal, the vertical panels having usually an inner panel with arched head or the more florid cusped mihrab. These panels, where they are exposed to weather, are generally filled with a peculiar inlaid faience pottery called kashi, the effect of which must have been very fine when the setting of deep red plaster of the walls was intact.''The facade of the sanctuary is practically covered with kashi and is divided into the usual oblong panels. A beautiful border is carried rectangularly round the centre archway, and inscriptions in Persian characters occur in an outer border, in a long panel over the archway, and in horizontal panels along the upper portions of the lower walls to right and left. The spandrels are filled in with extremely fine designs.''With the minars, however, the facade of the sanctuary, and the entrance gateway, where a small portion of the surface was left for plaster, the effect of the gorgeous colours against the soft blue of a Punjabi sky, and saturated with brilliant sunlight and glowing purple shadow is indescribably rich and jewel-like.''Right and left of the sanctuary are two stately octagonal minars 100 feet in height. On the long sides of the quadrangle are ranged small khanas or cells, each closed by the usual Indian two-leaved door set in a slightly recessed pointed arch, of which there are thirteen on each side by a pavilion rising above the general level, containing larger apartments and an upper story reached by two flights of steps, which also give access to the roof of the arcading and pavilions...these pavilions occur, in the centre of the north and south sides of the lower level of the pavement. In the pavilion on the south side is a fountain set in a circular scalloped basin, and served from the main which supplies the tank in the quadrangle.'Within the inner courtyard of the mosque lies the subterranean tomb of Syed Muhammad Ishaq, known as Miran Badshah, a divine from Iran who settled in Lahore during the time of the Tughluq dynasty. The tomb, therefore, predates the mosque

VANISHING MOUNTAINS

The bear went up the mountain, to see what he could see, But all that he could see, was the other side of the mountainBut it appears that the bear would no longer be seen scaling the mountains making the toddlers sing his praises. It was initially thought that the bear would now be seeing the other side of the mountain either by journeying up the heights on wheels or leisurely trotting through the gradually emerging tunnels. But the drama scripted, directed and enacted by the terrorists on the mountains has forced even the bear to stop playing in his habitat.Until quite recently one of the most romantic propositions coming forth from a friend or an acquaintance would no doubt be an intended flight to the mountains from the humdrum of the cities. With crooners singing of Laila residing in the far off black mountains, Pashto songs would take this romanticism to new heights. The reference was undoubtedly to the beautiful damsels living in the mountains of Darra and the highlands of Tirah. Both these areas of immense beauty are now out of bounds for the ordinary folks.Scriptures tell us of the mountains holding the earth from falling apart. And luckily the place that Divinity chose to provide that needed grip and sustenance to the earth happened to be none other than Pakistan as it is home to the world’s famous mountainous triumvirate, the Himalayas, Karakoram and the Hindu Kush. That we tend to be so oblivious of this monumental truth is one of the many quirks of fate afflicting our morbid aesthetic sense.Nonetheless, the shame part of this indifference aside, it is also a great source of strength as we hear the outside world telling us of how beautiful our mountains are.Not quite long ago Doris Lessing, British Nobel laureate for Literature in 2007, visited Pakistan and was heard remarking thus, ‘As far as Chitral, even now I can’t believe anything so wonderful.’Unfortunately, the splendor of the remarks was literally thrown to the winds when it was mentioned in a class in the civil officers academy in Peshawar. ‘The lady must have lost her sense of proportion,’ thus commented a boorish officer from the plains serving in the beautiful valley of Chitral. It is perhaps this mode of crass thinking together with games terrorists are playing in our midst that could be held squarely responsible for the dwindling beauty of our bewitching mountainous north and northwest. The beauty of Chitral is so well pronounced that perhaps the Godly scheme of things considered it useful to shield the valley behind massive walls of mountains from the prying eyes of the fiddlers. But human minds kept probing. They found Kalash hidden snugly in those mountains and built a road to it. Within no time bank swindlers got wink and built numerous hotels in the midst of where Kalash people were peacefully resting; forcing Lahori murgh-choley down their throats.Today the much relished and brandished Kalash culture is a mere slogan from the past: unimaginative tourism turned out to be the beast that devoured its own offspring.Living in close proximity to the people of Central Asian states and having similar features, Chitralis are fairly beautiful and soft-spoken people. They have struggled long and hard for a tunnel through the Hindu Kush that would inextricably link them to the rest of Pakistan in all weathers. The eight kilometer something long tunnel will very soon see the light of the day. Lest the Chitralis take an offence, the tunnel may kill the sense of curiosity that keeps one egging on to the wonderlands of the majestic valley through the treacherous Lowari Top. It would be like a dream turned sour having reached Chitral and not having experienced the compelling solitude of the Lowari Top. ‘Life could be so beautiful in its absolute quietude,’ is the realisation that the erring man encounters only at the summit of Lowari.The negation of this spiritual nirvana is something that an adventurous mind might retrieve through his own machinations. What the Chitralis may never recover in the blazing light of the tunnel is the loss of Mother Nature that has been living in Chitral in all its manifestations since Creation.Living in the mountains could be an ordeal for the permanent dwellers in the context of the present day comforts. The Kalash could very well confront us with their own arguments. They would perhaps loathe the idea of being seen as a relic from the past and being preserved as such while living in abysmal poverty. But why is life being disturbed on the nearby lush green hills in clement climatic conditions?Man may not move the mountains, at best he could circumvent his way through the mountains or denude them of trees as has happened in Swat during the current spate of militancy. But man is definitely causing irreparable damage to hills.The worst casualty is the hill station of Abbottabad. The verdant hills surrounding the beautiful valley of Abbottabad have all been turned into shabby slums. Man and machine could be seen working round the clock bringing down the hills to make room for more townships and a plethora of private medical colleges and schools.Ambitious politicians are not lagging behind; they are blasting mountains to reach small hamlets on the hilltops in their four wheelers. There are plenty of tablets displayed alongside the mountainous roads in Hazara announcing the opening of roads courtesy the various members of the assembly. Gaudily painted fiberglass gates have replaced the wicket gates to the houses of nouveau riche at the Nathiagali summer resort.Sometime ago an old lady from Karachi traveling in a van was found wonderstruck when she beheld the view of a massive wall of conifers on her maiden voyage to Nathiagali. ‘Oh my God I never imagined Pakistan was so beautiful,’ the old lady kept murmuring. That lady was our own Doris but she would be disappointed if she travels on the same road again.The timber and construction mafia has devastated the Himalayas in almost the same manner that terrorists have brought on the mountains in Swat and elsewhere.

"STONES" ALSO NEED LOVE

Bohri Bazaar can be a potent metaphor for love. Reason: here people experience agony and ecstasy almost at the same time. While at the bazaar, threading through a host of vendors is a task. It’s not always a boring exercise. You can have fun if you are in the mood for buying a cheap version of a pair of Ray Ban or a Stetson hat. Haggle… and Bob’s your uncle. Once you’re done with the shopping you move forward on the pucci sarak towards the main road, and look ahead.There’s a decent-looking, small, but different building with a clock on top, not at all commensurate with the idea of the things you associate with the chaotic modern-day Saddar. It’s the Eduljee Dinshaw Charitable Dispensary. Getting closer to the dispensary is something that too merits a mention. There’s a bevy of public transport buses, bumper-to-bumper, hardly seen moving, causing their drivers to get into a heated argument with traffic police constables.Crossing the road to reach where the dispensary is situated can be a narrative for another interesting story. The building is flanked by dental clinics of the most interesting (read: garish) variety, highlighted by advertising boards showing off sets of ultra-white teeth covered by blood-red under and upper lips – as if to mock the concept of advertising.Let’s get to the point and move straight into the Eduljee Dinshaw Dispensary. Its interior is a bit incongruous with its façade. There are tiles all over the place covering three units (the vaccination department, the family planning section and the dispensary). Above one of the tiled counters there’s a board that reads: ‘of which Rs5,500 was contributed by Edlujee Esquire C F Boulton, President of the Municipality, J Stratchen Engineer’.‘The dispensary functions on the ground floor, whereas the upper floor is occupied by people working for the city government, which is responsible for the structure’s upkeep,’ says Imtiaz, the dispenser. At the back of the building there’s a spiral staircase that leads to the not-so-roomy balconies on the first floor. It’s a cute little sight. The wooden staircase inside the building has now been replaced by one made of iron.The Parsi community in the subcontinent has always been known for its unstinted generosity, so much so that it’s nearly become synonymous with philanthropy. In the days of yore the generous acts included useful contributions to dispensaries and hospitals. It’s said that there was a time in the last quarter of the 19th century when Eduljee Dinshaw (who had humble beginnings) was the owner of no less than half of Karachi. He worked as a military contractor at the time of the second Anglo-Afghan war. The Eduljee Dinshaw Dispensary was constructed in 1882 with Dinshaw being the chief sponsor of the facility.The building is made in the Italianate style, having Roman arched openings with heavy rusticated masonry. It has an arcaded façade with stone balusters and semi-circular pilasters. It’s centrally positioned clock tower, though not functioning these days, is also pretty conspicuous. James Stratchen was the architect of the dispensary — but some experts dispute it. The current state of the building is not shabby either. It’s been looked after reasonably well. It’s just that the structure’s interior doesn’t give much of an indication of what it would have looked (or felt) like at the time of its inception.Architect Arif Hasan says: ‘James Stratchen designed a great many beautiful buildings for Karachi . We should be grateful to him. The marked feature of the Eduljee Dinshaw Dispensary is its location. It’s very important because it’s constructed at the axis of Somerset Street. When I was a kid I could spot it from afar. In terms of urban planning the dispensary was very wisely made.‘It’s made in the Italian Renaissance style. This implies that classical orders (Ionian, Doric, Corinthian etc) were kept in mind while designing it. Even in its proportions it’s pretty classical,’ says Arif Hasan.But how could buildings of historical import be reconciled with the smog, the verbal ding-dong of shopkeepers, and the ear-splitting horn-honking that have become an inextricable part of the Saddar region? Arif Hasan says: ‘You need a conservationist architect to rectify things, which I believe haven’t gone beyond repair. The hawkers need to be rehabilitated, environmental degradation should be checked and all of this must be done with affection and care. Piyar muhabbat se kaam kerney ki zaroorat hai,’ says Mr Hasan.That’s exactly how it should be. Buildings ought to be treated like animate objects, because they make you aware of your existentialist dilemma – choices in retrospect. That’s precisely why one of Ayn Rand’s characters says in The Fountainhead, ‘A building is alive, like a man.’

HIRAN MINAR

Hiran Minar is a brick minaret built over the grave of the favourite antelope of emperor Nooruddin Mahmood Jahangir in Sheikhupura. In 1605 he laid the foundation stone of Jahangirpura, also called Sheikhupura (as Jahangir was affectionately called Sheikhu by his father, Jalaludin Muhammad Akbar). Sheikhupura became Jahangir's favourite hunting ground. Here, he built a beautiful fort, complete with a castle. He frequently visited this place and enjoyed hunting in the lush green forest. Legend has it that once Jahangir went there for his usual recluse and captured a beautiful wild antelope. This antelope was tamed in the brief span of one month. Jahangir named it Mansraj (King of the Antelopes). Whenever Jahangir came to Jahangirpura, Mansraj was the focus of special royal attention. But once, when Jahangir went on a hunt, he accidently shot Mansraj, and killed him. Jahangir, profoundly grieved, decided to build a tomb for his favorite pet and in 1607 forbade hunting in the area.He ordered a minaret to be built over the grave of Mansraj under the guidance of Sikander Mueen. The statue adorning the grave was shaped like an antelope, a fact recorded in the Tuzk-e-Jahangiri (Memoirs of Jahangir), although no stone is discernable over it now. Excavations in 1959 unearthed the head of the statue.Jahangir came to inspect the tomb and was not satisfied. He ordered a baradari and a pond to be constructed. These were completed under the supervision of Iradat Khan in 1620. Shah Jahan, the next Mughal ruler, made some important alterations to the building in 1638. A common legend narrates that once a Sikh ruler came to see the Minar, which at that time was double its present height. When he climbed to the top, he accidently saw his daughter taking a bath. Infuriated, he ordered the minar to be cut to half its size. This was done.The Hiran Minar complex is spread over sixteen acres. The fish pond, measuring 750 feet by 890 feet, is fed by a canal. The minaret is 110 feet high and is approached by 110 steps. The pond is surrounded by a typical Mughal-style garden with rows of trees and pathways. However, the entire site is in a dilapidated condition. The baradari and minar are crumbling, the garden is untended, and the fish pond is a dirty green, although there are still fish in it.

KHALIQDINA HALL

The Khaliqdina Hall and Library was the first building built by local Muslim philanthropists for the literary and recreational pursuits of the native population. It was built in 1906, at a cost of Rs. 33,000. A generous donation of Rs. 18,000 was made by Ghulam Hussain Khaliqdina, for which the hall was immortalized with his name. The rest of the funding was provided by the Karachi Municipal Corporation. The Khaliqdina Hall housed the Native General Library and a meeting hall, and was located in Runchore Lines, close to the Old Town Quarter, to facilitate easy access by the residents of the area.The architecture employed was predominantly palladian in style, choosing elements to convey an instant sense of grandeur. The entrance is reached through an Ionic portico set over a high podium, and is topped by an overbearing triangular pediment proudly displaying the name and construction date of the building. The meeting hall on the inside is 95 ft in length and 45 ft wide and is capable of seating from 600 to 700 persons. A ten foot verandah runs around the sides of the hall.The Khaliqdina Hall assumed historical significance and became known throughout the subcontinent when it was chosen as the venue for the trial of Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar, leader of the Khilafat Movement. On July 8 - 10, 1921, the Khilafat Conference, held in Karachi, passed a resolution declaring it "unlawful for any faithful to serve from today in the [British] army or help or acquiesce in their recruitment" and stated that "if the British Government directly or indirectly, openly or secretly, fights the Angora Government (the Turkish National Government), the Muslims of India will start civil disobedience". The Jauhar brothers, Maulana Mohammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali, made fiery and impassioned speeches in connection with the Khilafat conference, which led to their being arrested and charged with incitement against the British Government. The trial of Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar, in which he defended himself, was held in the Khaliqdina Hall and became known as the 'Trial of Sedition'. This building consequently became the symbol of the Muslim struggle during the Khilafat Movement and the movement for independence.Presently, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has completed renovation work on the Khaliqdina Hall with an estimated cost of Rs. 13.6 million. The building is now fully renovated and pending a reopening for the public.

KHALIQDINA HALL

PUNJAB - THE LAND OF FIVE RIVERS

Punjab the heart of Pakistan. The land of five waters, and five seasons, known for its fertility, colorful panorama and exquisitely serene and clean atmosphere. Its waters have seen life being quenched since centuries. Its trees have embraced the wind that was fragrant by the immortal stories like Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahiwal and Mirza Sahiban. The soil which, nurtured sufi poets like Baba Farid, Ali Hajveri, Bulhe Shah, Shah Hussain, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh and Waris Shah. Punjab has seen the starving of Budha and the wandering of Guru Nanak in search of truth. Its terrain has kept the secrets of Indus Valley civilizations along the River Indus at Harappa and many more un-discovered places. Waters still sing here, winds never forget to whisper and rains know how do dance in Mon Soon.So it is not a bad idea either to visit this place which is gifted with mountains, rivers, planes, fruits, trees, artifacts, historical monuments and the largest salt range of the world.Here we are to present the worth seeing places that can make you feel the glory and grandeur of almost all parts of Punjab.A promise for the FutureAn important city of ancient Gandhara and a place that enlightened the Budha and one of the greatest archeological sites the world possesses today. The ruins of Taxila, scattered about 30 KM away from Rawalpindi, represent the historical value of over 1000 years ago (around 500 BC to 500 AD). This place has the honor to have the world’s best known university at that ancient time offering subjects like law, medicine, arts etc. At Taxila, various sites are scattered over a large area encompassing; Bhir Mound, Dharmarajika, Budhist Stupa and Monastery. Moreover, one could find Sirsukh City remains, the Shrine of Double-headed eagle, Jandial temple, Sirsukh City and Jaulian Budhist Monastery etc. The Taxila museum is known for its Gandhara artifacts, a rare blend of Greek and Budhist Art. This museum also has a collection of old coins, utensils, jewelry, toys and pottery manifesting the highlights of the life style of ancient Taxila.

2. Harappa Rediscovering HistoryThe Indus Valley civilization covers almost the exact area where Pakistan exists today. Mehrgarh in Balochistan, Mohenjo Daro in Sindh and Harappa in Punjab possess the clandestine of a common society. Excavations have proved that around 3000 BC. Harappa was inhabited by nomadic tribes. The remains show a prosperous and comfortable life in that old epoch with emphasis on sanitation and everyday facilities. This land has trade relations with Egypt, the other developed civilization of the ancient world. The archeological museum at the site entrance may take you to the wonder world of past through found artifacts.The Salt Range An Evaporated SeaIt is undoubtedly a geologist’s dream with variety of minerals and rocks. Having great natural beauty, this area varies in height between 750 and 1500 meters and climate is noticeably cooler in summer. The largest Salt Mine of the world, Khewra also exists here. On the other hand, Kallar Kahar with its salt lake and orchard, centuries old Hindu Temples at Ketas and pilgrimage sites are breathtaking. This is the sea that extended over the Indus Plain and the Potowar Plateau that evaporated 600 million years ago. Rocks and fossils at this site provide the missing links of the story of earth. Around Khewra at Nandna, famous Muslim traveler and historian al-Beruni measured the circumference of the earth during 11th century.

3. Jhelum Land of the BraveJhelum is located at the base of the Potowar Range, overlooking the endless green fields of the Punjab. Alexander the great crossed the river at this place and fought with Raja Poras, whom the famous quotation is related to, when he answered the Alexander,“As a king would treat a king” The famous Rohtas Fort, built by Sher Shah Suri is also located here which, is still standing against all odds. People here are endearingly hospitable, looking to welcome you with warmth and fervor. Mangla, one of the largest dams of the world, is also built on river Jhelum.

4. Bahawalpur Reminder of a Glorious PastThe princely state of Bahawalpur, founded in 1748 by Nawab Bahawal Khan Abassi. Located at the edge of the city of Multan, Bahawalpur is the gateway to the greatest desert; Cholistan. It is quite green in nature but towards south, the soil becomes sandy. This area is studded with many tourist spots like; Lal Sohanra National Park and the famous shrine of Uchh Sharif. The blue mosaics of the ruined tombs at Uchh Sharif, remind the glorious past. Among these, is the 15th century octagonal tomb of Bibi Jawindi. Bhong Mosque is another important historical monument, known as Pakistan’s most ostentatious mosques.

5. Cholistan Gateway to AdventureExtended on the far south of the Punjab, Cholistan is the largest desert in Pakistan with an area of 25,000 sq. Km. It touches the Thar Desert in the south and Rajhastan Desert in the east. About 1000 years ago, Cholistan was a fertile lplain watered with the Gaggar River (now called Hakra in Pakistan), archeolists have discovered 400 old inhabited sites, mostly dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. In the middle of the desert, stands the Drawar Fort with massive walls and numerous buttresses. Nearby is the elegant Drawar Mosque, the exact replica of the Moti Masjid of Delhi’s Red Fort. About 45 Km. towards south of Drawar Fort is the shrine of Channan Pir, an important pilgrim center in the desert.

6. Multan the Land of MysticsMultan probably the oldest surviving city in the south-West Asia. Every invader from Alexander through the Mughals to the British has fought for control of the city of Multan. This city has a unique feature of housing tombs and saints, more than any place of the world. Towering shrines made of brick, stone and wood add to the serenity of this place. Shrines of Shah Rukn e-Alam, Hazrat Bahaudin Zikirya and Shah Shams Tabrez are the most famous and visited ones. The galaxy of mosques and mausoleums of Multan, speak eloquently of the grandeur and sublimity of this great city. Blue stylistic and glazed pottery is a salient feature of the arts and crafts of Multan.

7. Lahore Bastion of the Mughal SpiritThe famous metropolitan city and provincial capital of today, has got so much to speak of history. It holds within its bustling bazaars, historical monuments and narrow streets, the heritage of hundreds of years, the culture of royal tradition and force of spiritualism. The shrine of Hazrat Ali Hajver known as Data Darbar welcomes everybody at the entrance of the city, while the walled city culture still grasps the close relationship between people. Lahore was founded by Loh, the son of Rama Chandra, however the recorded history of Lahore dates back to 1021 AD when Lahore was conquered by Mahmood Ghaznavi who made it the capital of his Ghaznavi Empire. Then Mughals gave so much importance to this city, by awarding it the famous architecture in the form of gardens, mosques, tombs and the famous Fort. Shalamar Garden by Shahjehan and Badshahi mosque by Aurangzeb are the emblems of great history this city possesses. Jahangir and Nur Jehan are also buried here. Anarkali Bazar, Toligton Market, Lahore Museum and Punjab University (old Campus) jewels the famous Mall Road (Thandi Sarak). The British introduced here a combination of Mughal, Gothic and Victorian style of architecture. Lahore offers a great deal more than just monuments, a variety of art galleries, museums, theatres and shopping arcades along with the cool tree-lined avenues, lush green lawns, fountains and modern high rise buildings.

8. Muree Rediscovering NatureThe most popular and most developed hill-station of Pakistan. With a height of 7500 feet, Muree is a cool and crispy place in summer as well as in winter. This area is rich with towering pine trees, in long summer days; one could stroll lazily or ride ponies along shady path on the Mall- between Kasmir and Pindi Points. There are the Gallies with their charming red roof chalets covered with snow in winter and set amidst fragrant pines. Muree, a jewel of a hillstation, nestles in the shadow of snow-clad peaks.

9. Nankana Sahib Janam IsthanNankana Sahib, situated at 39 Km. south-west of Sheikhupura, is an important place of pilgrimage. There are two main Sikh temples or Gurdwaras here. Ba Lila where Guru Nanak the founder of Sikh religion spent his childhood and Janamasthan, where he is believed to have been born. Thrice a year on Besakhi (April), Death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (June) and birthday of Guru Nanak Dev (November), Sikh yatris visit these holy places in thousands.

10. Rawalpindi Base camp to AdventureRawalpindi, a twin city to Islamabad, is the gateway to the historical Silk Route. It presents a sharp contrast to the city of Islamabad. It is the base camp of thrill-exhibitors from all over the world who buckle up here to meet the most exciting and treacherous peaks in the world. Rawalpindi is famous for strong military cantonment, towns bazaars; Raja, Sarafa and Muree road. Moreover, historical Liaqat Bagh lies in the heart of the city.

THE DENSO HALL

The Denso Hall was built in memory of Max Denso, a prominent resident of the city who had also chaired the Karachi Chamber of Commerce from 1870-71. A sum of Rs. 9,000 was collected by his friends for the construction of the building, whereas the Karachi Municipality allocated an important site on the fast-developing Bunder Road, as well as additional funds in order to provide the facility of a public hall, reading room and library in an area close to the "Old Town".The Denso Hall was designed by James Strachan and was built in 1886 in the Market Quarter of the city, and was made out of local Gizri Sandstone. The architecture of the building was a relatively simple design which was Venetian Gothic in character. It employs Tudor arches in the ground floor of the building whereas ogive arches are used for the first floor openings. Projecting balconies with carved balusters punctuate the long facade. The building includes an entrance hall, library, reading room and some small rooms on the ground floor. The upper floor is a large hall (60 ft x 30 ft) accommodating about 500 persons and was used for different types of social gatherings. The illuminated clock on the eastern front of Denso Hall was a gift from Rao Sahib Ramdas Morarji.

PESHAWAR

Being among the most ancient cities of the region between Central, South, and West Asia, Peshawar has for centuries been a centre of trade between Afghanistan, South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. As an ancient center of learning, the 2nd century B.C.E. Bakhshali Manuscript used in the Bakhshali approximation was found nearby. Peshawar is also the setting of the famous story Peshawar Nights, which was an exchange between a Shia scholar and a Sunni audience over the course of eleven nights, which presumably resulted in their acceptance of Shi'ism.Peshawar was a major center of Buddhist learning until the 10th century. As an indication of its importance, Peshawar was also the site of Kanishka's Great Stupa which housed relics from Gautama Buddha, and was widely considered to be the tallest building in the world at the time of its construction. Ancient Chinese manuscripts tell of Buddhist pilgrims such as Faxian, Sung Yun, and Xuanzang reporting that the 7th century stupa, which was rediscovered in 1908, had a height of 591–689 feet.

HISTORY OF PESHAWAR

INDO-GREEK PESHAWAR

The area that Peshawar occupies was then seized by the Greco-Bactrian king, Eucratides (170 - 159 BCE), and was controlled by a series of Greco-Bactrian and later Indo-Greek kings who ruled an empire that spanned from ancient Pakistan to North India. Later, the city came under the rule of several Parthian and Indo-Parthian kings, another group of Iranic invaders from Central Asia, the most famous of whom, Gondophares, ruled the city and its environs starting in circa 46 CE, and was briefly followed by two or three of his descendants before they were displaced by the first of the "Great Kushans", Kujula Kadphises, around the middle of the 1st century CE.Kanishka's RulePeshawar formed the eastern capital of the empire of Gandhara under the Kushan king Kanishka, who reigned from at least 127 CE. Peshawar became a great centre of Buddhist learning. Kanishka built what may have been the tallest building in the world at the time, a giant stupa, to house the Buddha's relics, just outside the Ganj Gate of the old city of Peshawar.Excavations of Kanishka's Monastery in central PeshawarThe Kanishka stupa was said to be an imposing structure as one travelled down from the mountains of Afghanistan onto the Gandharan plains. The earliest account of the famous building is by the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim monk, Faxian, who visited it in 400 and described it as being over 40 chang in height (probably about 120 m or 394 ft) and adorned "with all precious substances". "Of all the stûpas and temples seen by the travellers, none can compare with this for beauty of form and strength." It was destroyed by lightning and repaired several times. It was still in existence at the time of Xuanzang's visit in 634. From the ruined base of this giant stupa there existed a jewelled casket containing relics of the Buddha, and an inscription identifying Kanishka as the donor, and was excavated from a chamber under the very centre of the stupa's base, by a team under Dr. D.B. Spooner in 1909. The stupa was roughly cruciform in shape with a diameter of 286 feet (87 meters) and heavily decorated around the sides with stucco scenes.Sometime in the 1st millennium BCE, the group that now dominates Peshawar began to arrive from the Suleiman Mountains of southern Afghanistan to the southwest, the Pashtuns. Whether or not the Pashtuns existed in the region even earlier is debatable, as evidence is difficult to attain. Some writers such as Sir Olaf Caroe write that a group that may have been the Pakhtuns existed in the area and were called the Pactycians by Herodotus and the Greeks, which would place the Pakhtuns in the area of Peshawar much earlier along with other Aryan tribes. Ancient Hindu scriptures such as the Rig-Veda, speak of an Aryan tribe called the Pakht, living in the region.Regardless, over the centuries the Pakhtuns would come to dominate the region and Peshawar has emerged as an important center of Pakhtun culture along with Kandahar and Kabul as well as Quetta in more recent times. Muslim Arab and Turkic arrived and annexed the region before the beginning of the 2nd millennium.

ARRIVAL OF ISLAM

The Pakhtuns began to convert to Islam following early annexation by the Arab Empire from Khurasan (in what is today western Afghanistan and northeastern Iran).Sebuktagin dying in 997 was succeeded as governor of Khorasan by his son Mahmud, who throwing of all dependence on the Samani princes, assumed the title of Sultan in 999, and from this reign the Hindu religion in these parts may be said to have received a death blow. In the early reign of this celebrated invader of India the plains of Peshawar were again the scene of some great battles, the first of which was fought on the maira between Nowshera and the Indus, in the year 1001. Mahmud was opposed by Jaipal, who had been constantly endevouring to recover the country wrested from him by Sebuktagin, still aided by some Pathans whose allegiance to the Muslim governor of Peshawar was not of long continuance.The battle took place on November 27 and the Hindus were one again routed, Jaipal himself being taken prisoner, who upon his subsequent release resigned the crown to his son Anandpal. On this occasion Mahmud punished the Pathans who had sided with the enemy, and as they were now converted entirely to the Islam, they stayed true to their new allegiance, and joined the Sultan in his wars against the infidels.Peshawar was taken by Turkic Muslims in 988 and was incorporated into the larger Pakhtun domains by the 16th century. The founder of the Mughul dynasty that would conquer South Asia, Babur, who hailed from current Uzbekistan, came to Peshawar and founded a city called Bagram where he rebuilt the fort in 1530. His grandson, Akbar, formally named the city Peshawar, meaning "The Place at the Frontier" in Persian and expanded the bazaars and fortifications. The Muslim technocrats, bureaucrats, soldiers, traders, scientists, architects, teachers, theologians and Sufis flocked from the rest of the Muslim world to Islamic Sultanate in South Asia and many settled in the Peshawar region.

EDUCATION IN PESHAWAR

The historic old city of Peshawar was once a heavily guarded citadel with high walls. Today, not much remains of the walls, but the houses and havelis have an essence of days gone by. Most of the houses are made of unbaked bricks with wooden structures for protection against earthquakes. Many of them have beautifully carved wooden doors and latticed wooden balconies. Areas such as Sethi Mohallah still contain many fine examples of the old architecture of Peshawar. There are many historic monuments and bazaars in the Old city, including the Mohabbat Khan Mosque and Kotla Mohsin Khan, Chowk Yadgar and the Qissa Khawani Bazaar.

The walled city was surrounded by several main gates which severed as the main entry points into the city, some of which still survive today. They include:

• Lahori Gate

• Sarasia Gate

• Ganj Gate

• Sirki Gate

• Sard Chah Gate• Kohati GateEducational institutionsWith the level of higher education on the rise, there has been a surge of prestigious educational institutions in Peshawar.• Abasyn University

• Khyber Medical University

• Institute of Management Sciences

• Agriculture University of Peshawar

• University of Engineering & Technology (U.E.T.)

• National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (FAST-NU), (Peshawar Campus)

• Islamia College Peshawar (1913)

• Gandhara University

• Iqra University

• Institute of Management Studies

• ICMS

• Oxfords College University Town Peshawar

• City University Of Science & Technology

• Institute of Business & Management Sciences

• CECOS

• Gandhara Medical College

• Sarhad University

• Ghulam IOshaq Khan Institute of Science & Technology, Topi, NWFP

• College of Aeronautical Engineering (CAE, NUST), Risalpur, NWFP

• Peshawar Medical College

• University of Peshawar

• Preston University

• Greenwich University

• PAC

• Government Frontier College Peshawar

• Jinnah College for Women

• Edwardes College Peshawar

• Government College Peshawar

• Superior Science College Wazirbagh Peshawar.

• Fazaia Degree College (PAF Degree College)

• St. Francis' High School

• University Public School (1964)

• University Model School

• Peshawar Model School

• Collegiate School Islamia College

• Oxfords College School University Town Peshawar

• Peshawar Public School and College

• The Convent High School

• Army Public School

• BeaconHouse School System

• The City School

• The Educators

• The Roots School

• American International School

• I.L.M

• The Smart School

• Qadeems Educational System

• Iqra School

• daffodils Kindergarten (Hayatabad Town)

• Frontier Model School

• Peshawar Grammar School

• Lahore Grammar School (Peshawar Campus)

• Saint Mary's High School

• Forward Model School

• Forward Public School

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Sunday, November 15, 2009

"ISLAMABAD" THE CAPITAL OF PAKISTAN

PRESERVATION TIME "SURAJ KUND"

JINNAH'S GARDEN (BAGH-E-JINNAH) LAHORE.

TAKHT BHAI

JINNAH HOUSE

KATASRAJ TEMPLE

THE BRITISH ERA

QUETTA

BAHAWALPUR - ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

GAWADAR PORT - INTERNATIONAL ACCESS

WAZIR KHAN MOSQUE

VANISHING MOUNTAINS

"STONES" ALSO NEED LOVE

HIRAN MINAR

KHALIQDINA HALL

KHALIQDINA HALL

THE DENSO HALL

PESHAWAR

HISTORY OF PESHAWAR

INDO-GREEK PESHAWAR

ARRIVAL OF ISLAM