INFORMATION ON PAKISTAN

Pakistan

Pakistan means "The Land of Pure".
After a long and tiring struggle ,under the Great Leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan got its' independence on 14 AUG 47.
On 15 DEC 71 East and West Pakistan seperated and East Pakistan became Bangladesh.
Pakistan Day Is celebrated on: 23 MARCH.

Pakistan

Major Cities

KARACHI :

Karachi is a historic city with a population of over 12 million. It is the largest city in Pakistan and also serves as a strategic, international warm water port. The city has a mixture of architectural delights. From the modern tall sky scrapers to the intricately carved balconies of the 19th century Gothic buildings.. Travelling in Karachi might be somewhat a daunting experience if you don't know where to go, what to do and what to expect.

The vast concentration of bustling and intense traffic is around the Saddar area which plays host to the jewellers, the cloth merchants, carpet retailers and various other traders. The largest ready-made garment / carpet / marble market situated near the Avari Towers Hotel is Zainab Market. This is the shopper's haunt as bargaining for a lower price is possible and ethnic, antique pieces (furniture, jewellery, shawls, carpets) are also available.

The local designer expertise is visible at boutiques on Zamzama boulevard. Contemporary, ultra-modern furniture ( in wrought iron, painted wood, etc) is also visible and elaborately decorates shop-windows on Zamzama boulevard. Karachi also has a number of art galleries which have exhibitions of local artists, many of whom are world renowned.

At Clifton one finds the likes of Pizza Hut, Miyako , Copper Kettle and Macdonalds etc. Local cuisine is available in the Boat Basin area and the restaurants differ from those in Saddar, etc because they cater to a more upmarket section of society. Another important aspect is that five-star hotels have restaurants and cafes that excel in fine cuisine. The hotels house cafes that serve delicious after-dinner delights; as waffles, etc. The bakeries around the city are exquisite in their delicacies, such as those found within the hotels as well as the French Bakery, off Zamzama Boulevard in Clifton. Every thing is available in Karachi; it's just a matter of doing your research.

Relaxing on a day-off is possible on the sandy shores of Karachi's beaches, such as the French Beach. Midnight turtle-watching is possible at Sandspit beach at the World Wild Life sanctuary. Keamari Harbour is perfect if you want to sample those large crabs! Hire a boat and dine in local style on the Indian ocean.

Places to visit

Bazaars beyond Bunder Road Frere Hall Sind Club ( the remnants of Pakistan's colonial past are apparent in the architecture, etc) Mohatta Palace (originally the residence of Mr Mohatta which was purchased by Mohammad Ali Jinnah; its architectural beauty with its red bricked exteriors and domes attract the visitor.) Keamari Harbour, Manora Point The Beaches Chaukandi (worth a visit to view beautifully carved tombs) Various art galleries (Chawkandi, Indus, Majmua, Momart, Kunj)

RESTAURANTS

Bar-B-Q Tonight (serves the finest local cuisine in Karachi)

Copper Kettle (cafe)

Miyako (Japanese) Fujiyama (Japanese)

Pizza Hut

Mandonalds

HOTELS

Midway House,, Avari Towers,, Karachi Sheraton,, Hotel Karachi,, Marriott Hotel,, The Pearl Continental Hotel,, Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza,, Hotel Metropole (Pvt) Ltd,,. Hotel Mehran,, & Beach Luxury Hotel.

LAHORE:

Lahore, the capital of Punjab is one of the greatest Mughal cities of the subcontinent with its grand architecture. Lahore has been the capital of Punjab for nearly a thousand years. Legend confirms that Lahore was founded by Loh, son of Rama, the hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana. The third Mogul emperor Akbar the Great, held his court here during which time he built the present Lahore Fort and enclosed the old city within a red brick wall with twelve gates which, even till today, houses the population of Lahore.

In 1642, Shah Jehan built the famous Shalimar Gardens in celebration of his love for his queen Noor Jehan. Shah Jehan was also the builder of the Shish Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) which was a home for his Empress. The mirrors are placed in exquisite mosaic and the building shows gilt work and pietra dura - embedded floral patterns in semi precious stone set in a marble background. Also marble jalis or screens cover the windows. The last of the great Mughals, Aurangzeb, erected Lahore's most famous monument, the great Badshahi Mosque. This has an imposing gateway which leads to a massive courtyard on the opposite side of which are three great marble domes and red sandstone minarets.

Lahore is Pakistan's cultural and intellectual city with the largest art college (The National School of Arts) and the first school of fashion design as well as the Lahore University of Management Sciences that regularly conducts programmes with the London School of Economics (LSE) amongst many foreign universities.

The most famous bazaar in Lahore is Anarkali which has wide alleys and shops revealing a mixture of the east and the west. On the other hand Liberty Market and Defence Market plus Fortress Market provide all the modern amenities of life.

The British left plenty of evidence of their dominance in Lahore. The architecture could be termed as "Moghal Gothic" and examples include Aitchison College (a renowned public school), the High Court, National College of Arts. Modern sites of interest include Minar-i-Pakistan, the Fortress Stadium, Changa Manga (a man made forest, planted and irrigated by the British to provide wood for railway engines), etc.

Lahore is also known as the fashion center of Pakistan with the emergence of a number of revolutionary men's and women's designers vying to make their mark in this industry. The National College of Arts churns out the best local talent. Pakistan's buzzing film industry or Lollywood is in Lahore which plays host to a number of studios and production houses. The eating places are Lahore's trademark with restaurants such as Cafe Zouk, Menage (an art gallery / cafe), Salt and Pepper Village, Salloos, Xinhua, and upcoming Macdonalds etc.; this is the city to sample inexpensive, excellent cuisine.

PLACES TO VISIT

Lahore Fort,, Badshahi Mosque,, Shalimar Gardens,, Jehangir's Tomb,, Lahore Central Museum,, Fortress Stadium,, Empress Noorjehan's Tomb ,,Jallo Park,, Balloki Water Resort,,Changa Manga ,,Wildlife Preserve ,,Wagah Border

RESTAURANTS

Cafe Zouk ,,Cafe Xinhua,, Copper Kettle,, Salt and pepper Village,, Salloos,, Tabaq,,The Under ground Xinhua

HOTELS

Avari Hotel ,, Hoilday Inn Lahore,, Hotel Oriental Palace,, Pearl Continental Hotel ,,Regency Inn

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan's capital city is modern and well-planned with elegant public buildings and open motorways with access to other cities and smaller towns. The wide tree-lined streets are rarely found in any of the other larger cities. Cruising down Constitution Avenue will allow a glimpse of modern architecture; the National Assembly building, the Senate House and the Secretariat, the Supreme Court, Foreign Office, Radio Pakistan, Pakistan Television and the Presidency buildings are all located along this long stretch. Traditional Asian modes of transportation as the scooter rickshaws or tongas or horse carriages are absent.

Islamabad can be best viewed from the Margalla Hills which provide a backdrop to the north of the city. The road leading to the hills via Daman-i-koh to Pir Sahava are narrow, winding and the driver must be an expert maneuver. The hills are perfect for walking, treking and examining the exotic species of flora and fauna. Islamabad is below the hills and spreads out to include the Bari Imam village on one extreme side and Quaid-e-Azam University on another. Bari Imam is a village called Nurpur where the 17th century saint Syed Abdul Latif Shah lived and his most famous miracle included bringing 70 dead cows back to life.

Rawal Lake is a tranquil spot for picnics and fishing. The Shakarparian Park is also a large expanse of gardens and recreational areas. Another magnificent landmark is the Faisal Masjid (mosque) which accommodates 15,000 people and resembles a tent in a desert. Designed by the Turkish architect, Vadat Dalokay it is believed to be the largest mosque in the world. It cost $50 million to build which was funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Islamabad is from where one can visit various hill stations such as Muree, Nathia Galie and Burban. This is an exciting and breath-taking experience, especially as one travels through the various gallies (winding , long stretches with surrounding villages) and is able to appreciate the Northern areas; the unspoiled scenic beauty, the waterfalls, the simplicity of the villagers, the pasture fields on hill tops and the local restaurants.

MURREE AND THE PUNJAB HILLS: Murree is 2,300 metres above sea level and lies in the foothills of the Himalayas 60 kilometres north east of Islamabad. It is one of the many hill stations developed by the British and just as they used it to escape the scorching summer months, so it is used for the same purpose even today! Murree Brewery is a ruin on the hillside (the present day brewery is situated in Rawalpindi) which was previously named Dyer and Meakin and was destroyed in 1947. The Dyers were, the family of General Dyer who was in fact responsible for the Amritsar Massacre in 1919. Murree has a number of shopping areas and churches as it is rumoured that an ancient grave on the hilltop is that of the Virgin Mary's. A number of hill resorts or galis offer great riding and walking space; such as Nathiagali and Ayubia.

TAXILA: The ancient city of Taxila is an hours drive from Pindi and worth a visit. Taxila first rose to fame as a university town after Gandhara was controlled by the Persian Archemenian Empire in the 6th century B.C. Situated strategically on a branch of the Silk Road which (in that time period) linked China to the West, the city flourished both economically and culturally. Patronized by the royalty of the time, Taxila was transformed into a religious heartland for Buddhism and most pilgrims as far off as China came to visit. In the mid-5th century the arrival of the Huns finally ruined the city but toady what can be visited are a multitude of Buddhist monasteries, stupas and temples. The museum at Taxila houses Buddhist artifacts and the remnants of the actual civilization can be examined.

PLACES TO VISIT

Daman-e- Koh Viewpoint,, Shah Faisal Mosque,, Friday Bazaar,, Shakar Parian,, ,Lok Virsa Institute of Folk and Traditional heritage,, Rawal Dam ,, Simli Dam,,Quaid-e-Azam University

RESTAURANTS

Kashmirwalas Daman-e-Koh,, Pappasallis Italian Restaurant ,,Pizzeria Pizza House,, Denny'sRestaurant ,,Daawat Omar Khayyam ,,Muddy's Cafe (Marriot Hotel)

HOTELS

Islamabd Marriot Hotel,, Pearl Continental,, Hotel Pines ,, The Presdient Hotel ,,Holiday Inn Islamabad ,, Pearl Continental Hotel (Bhurban)

TRAVEL TIPS

Money Matters: The unit of currency is the Rupee, with 100 paisa to a rupee. Credit cards are acceptable in all major cities and travellers cheques are easy to encash.

When to go: The weather is pleasant during the winter months but those visiting the northern areas in winter will find the heating facilities slightly 'debatable'!! (also one can trek up in the mountains at all times of the year, depending on how long one can withstand the cold) The summer is indeed very hot with temperatures soaring! The best time to visit would be early in the year or during autumn.

What to wear: Pakistan is an Islamic state though in the major cities women can wear skirts, trousers, jeans, etc. even shorts in Islamabad but the shalwar kameez is much favoured by all. It merely stops men from publicly staring at women and their Western attire. A swimsuit is a must if visiting Karachi and the French Beach (women can wear swimsuits there because only specific types of people are allowed to use the beach; eliminating those who might object to such attire) or even a pool at an upmarket hotel.

Time Zone: Pakistan Standard time is GMT plus five hours. it gets dark about 5 p.m. in winter and 7:30 p.m. in the summer.

Newspapers/magazines: The Dawn, The News, The Financial Post, The Star, The Nation, Newsline, Herald, SHE (the last three names are those of monthly journals)

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