Monday, September 11, 2023

Discovering the Enchanting Beauty and Rich History of Pakistan**

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Pakistan, a land of diverse landscapes and a tapestry of history, is a destination that has so much to offer. From its stunning natural beauty to its rich historical heritage, Pakistan is a treasure trove waiting to be explored.

**1. Lahore: The Heart of Pakistan's Heritage**

Lahore, often referred to as the "Heart of Pakistan," is a city that encapsulates the country's history and culture. The Badshahi Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands as a testament to Mughal archite
cture's grandeur. The Lahore Fort, with its intricate designs and Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), transports you to a bygone era.

![Badshahi Mosque]

**2. Islamabad: A Modern Capital Amidst Natural Beauty**

Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, beautifully marries modernity with nature. The Faisal Mosque, one of the world's largest mosques, is an architectural marvel set against the backdrop of the Margalla Hills.

![Faisal Mosque]

**3. The Majestic Karakoram Range**

Pakistan is home to some of the world's highest peaks, including K2, the second-highest mountain on Earth. The Karakoram Range, with its awe-inspiring landscapes and glaciers, is a haven for trekkers and adventurers.

![K2]

**4. Mohenjo-Daro: Unveiling Ancient Civilizations**

Step back in time to explore the ancient Indus Valley Civilization at Mohenjo-Daro. This archaeological site offers a glimpse into one of the world's earliest urban centers, with its well-planned streets and advanced drainage system.

![Mohenjo-Daro]

**5. Multan: The City of Saints**

Multan, known as the "City of Saints," boasts a rich Sufi heritage. The intricately designed shrines and bazaars filled with vibrant colors and aromatic spices make it a cultural hub.

![Multan]

**6. The Arabian Sea Coastline**

Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea is dotted with pristine beaches and charming fishing villages. Gwadar and Karachi offer a taste of the country's coastal beauty and maritime culture.

![Karachi Coast]

**7. Taxila: An Ancient Learning Center**

Visit Taxila, an ancient center of learning and Buddhism. Explore the well-preserved ruins and monasteries that reveal the intellectual and spiritual pursuits of the time.

![Taxila]

Pakistan's beauty and history are intertwined, creating a rich tapestry that has captivated travelers and historians for centuries. This blog merely scratches the surface of what this remarkable country has to offer. So, pack your bags, embrace the adventure, and immerse yourself in the beauty and history of Pakistan.

Welcome to explore Pakistan

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Welcome to Explore Pakistan's Beauty and History!

At Explore Pakistan's Beauty and History, we invite you on a captivating journey through the heart and soul of one of the most enchanting countries in the world - Pakistan. Our mission is to unveil the breathtaking beauty of Pakistan's cities and immerse you in its rich and diverse history.

Nestled between towering mountain ranges, lush valleys, and pristine coastlines, Pakistan boasts a tapestry of landscapes that will leave you spellbound. From the vibrant streets of Lahore to the serene beauty of Islamabad and the historic wonders of Karachi, we're here to showcase the incredible charm that each city holds.

But that's not all; our blog is a gateway to Pakistan's fascinating history. Join us as we delve into the annals of time, uncovering the stories of ancient civilizations, the architectural marvels of Mughal emperors, and the struggle for independence that shaped the nation we know today.

Our team of passionate writers, historians, and photographers is dedicated to bringing you in-depth articles, stunning visuals, and personal narratives that transport you to the heart of Pakistan's culture and heritage.

Whether you're planning a visit, yearning to reconnect with your roots, or simply curious about this magnificent country, we're here to be your trusted guide. Explore Pakistan's Beauty and History is your window to a world of discovery, and we're thrilled to have you with us on this incredible voyage.

Join us as we celebrate the beauty, culture, and history of Pakistan. Together, let's uncover the hidden treasures and stories that make this nation truly remarkable.

Thank you for being a part of our journey. Let's explore Pakistan's beauty and history together!

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Larkana City. Pakistan

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Larkana is a district and the fourth largest city in Sindh province of Pakistan. Currently the city is famous for its association with the Bhutto family.Formerly known as 'Chandka', Larkana district was formed in 1901. It derives its current name from the neighboring Larak tribe. It was once the capital of Sindh under the Kalhoro, it contains many historic buildings.
The city historically been known as “Garden of Sindh” for its gardens and parks. Most of the district occupies a fertile plain, except Kirthar Range mountainous on western side. Indus river flows into south of the district.Every country has some places which are worth seeing. These places actually add to the beauty of this world. It is a well known fact that beautiful sites of any country also count for the higher ranking of its respective country.
Besides famous locations, the art and culture of any country also increases the beauty of any country. Pakistan, also has many famous places in Sindh province. One of those famous places is the Larkana city, which itself is known as “The city of famous places”.Larkana is one of the oldest cities of Pakistan and is also called Bhutto's city due to struggle of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. He developed this city further more by contributing many famous places in Larkana. Some of the well known are Jinnah Bagh, Zulfiqar Bagh, Cricket Stadium, The Great Shahnawaz Bhutto Library and Sheikh Zayed shopping center.
Resham Gali of Larkana is also very famous. Many people, especially women go there for shopping. The street of Resham Gali gets very crowded during the occasions of eid, particularly chand rat.Other important part of Larkana city is the Jinnah Bagh. Every morning, people come there to get fresh air, walk, amusement and jogging. It is a family place in Larkana.It is a gathering venue for many others as well. It is known as the center of Larkana city. People gather here for enjoyment and outing. They eat the famous Pakoras, Samosas, chaat, haleem and many other food items there. It also has a wide playground for children. The famous colleges and schools are also by the sides of Jinnah Bagh. Many famous bakeries are also located near Jinnah Bagh. The Nadra and Kaim Shah Bukhari Peer show the elegance of Larkana city.It is an open truth that Larkana city has many famous places which not only increase the beauty of Larkana or Sindh but it contributes to the beauty of whole Pakistan.

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Khairpur City. Pakistan

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Khairpur  city situated in Sindh, Pakistan. It is the 12th greatest city in the province and was discovered in the year 1783 by Mir Sohrab Khan, who developed the Khairpur branch of the Talpur clan; whereas other culture is that Khairpur city was given a name after the Man of Phulpoto caste Khair Muhammad a.k.a Khero Phulpoto. The accomplishment was pted as the seat of the Mirs of the site northern Sindh. It was the capital of the ex- princely state of Khairpur. The famous mystic Sufi Sachal Sarmast came from this magnificent city, which is prominent for its dates, well-known in the Sindhi language as Khark, and in Urdu as Khajoor. It owns eight talukas, 11 towns, 76 Union councils, 6800 Villages and entire population 1546587 in accordance to (Census) in the year 1998. Its best popular cities are Thari Mirwah, Faiz Ganj (Karoondi), Pacca Chang, Bhangu Behan, Ranipur,Gambat, Kot Diji and Sobhodero. There is merely 1 university named Shah Abdul Latif University as well as various Colleges in Khairpur which are as follow:
LUMHS Khairpur Medical College.
Mehran University College Of Engineering And Technology SZAB Campus Khairpur ,
IBA Community College Khairpur ,
Khairpur College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology (KCAET) at Khairpur,
Govt: College Of Technology Khairpur Mir’s (GCT KHP), Khairpur, Pakistan,
Background:
Khairpur was the rich state and it has a significant history.
Demographics
At the year 1998 census, the total population of Khairpur was about 102,188 having increased from 61,447 at the year 1981 census. The city had a population of approximately 127,857 in the year 2006.
Religion:
Islam: 96.86%
Ahmadiyya: 0.07%
Hinduism: 2.93%
Christianity: 0.09%
Others: 0.04%
Languages:
Sindhi: 90%
Brahui: 2.30%
Baluchi:2.70%
Urdu: 2%
Seraiki:%1
Punjabi: 1.50%
Others: 0.50%
Highways/Roads:
National Highway is central route for several transportation and Mehran Highway which links Nawabshah and Khairpur Districts.
Ancient Places:
It has few oldest structures eminently the Faiz Mahal and Kot Diji Fort
Religions:
In the city of Khairpur, Muslims form the greatest group. Hindu population and Sikh community are also present in the city of Khairpur.
Economy:

This historic city is located along the Khairpur East Canal, 11 miles south of the Indus River. It is linked by rail with cities Peshawar and Karachi and by road track with cities Sukkur and Karachi. After the development of the state of Pakistan in the year 1947, Khairpur established industrially, with textile, shoes, silk, carpet manufacture, silk clothing, leather goods, matches, soap and cigarettes.

Friday, July 22, 2016

The story of Hyderabad, Sindh

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Hyderabad is one of those cities where the magnetic pull of nostalgia can be felt to a maximum, owing to the ever glorious landmarks of a bygone era. It is one of those cities where the past silently trudges along with a noisy and loud present. Apart from its new face where it is adorned with high rise buildings, bustling, busy markets thronged with heavy locomotive traffic; there is another face where the past lurks behind colonial buildings, hiding under electrical wires and large hoardings. The same old face can be seen written over the aged, gnarled and wrinkled face of an elderly person who has witnessed it, in all of its glory, and sailed through some of its sadness.
The story of this city dates back to the time of the Arab invasion when it was a mere fishing village.
It came into prominence when Kalhora ruler Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro established it as a capital of his empire in 1768. Afterwards, it was passed on to Talpur and into British hands until the creation of Pakistan in 1947.
Despite having a very bumpy history, this city has shared innumerous happy and prosperous times as well, like when its streets used to be washed with rose water. It once hosted a large number of gardens that overflowed with green parks where children played and their laughter echoed, and libraries that were brimming with books, all that were testimony of its grandeur and peaceful public life. However, those times seem to have been shrouded in dust and the missing vitality of it seems almost impossible to imagine.
The opulence of this city was partly owing to rich and well-to-do Hindu businessmen and merchants who traded in indigenous goods and exported them all across Europe, Middle East and South East Asia and were generally called ‘Sindhi workies’. Then there were Amils, literate Hindus who first served in Kalhora and Talpur courts and then joined the British civil administration. They built many large buildings ranging from public to private, domestic, religious and welfare types. At the time of partition, most of the Hindu population of  Hyderabad left for India, vacating the buildings that were then occupied by refugee families from India.

The British government and civil society also built many distinctive buildings that are scattered across the older sections of the city. The main clusters are located at Tilak Incline, Heerabad, Pakka Qila , market area and Serey Ghat sections. A vast majority of these edifices have now been razed to the ground due to commercialisation and, now, only a handful of them are still standing.

The city was once famous for its wind catchers locally called ‘mangh’; a simple architectural device that captures wind and helps keep the interior of a building cool. There was a time when you could find a wind catcher on every rooftop in Hyderabad. Now, almost all of them are gone, changing the cityscape for good.

past Hyder Chowk, Gari Khata and into an old market that is a thoroughfare for women of Hyderabad, also known as Resham Gali. Despite how crowded this particular path is, you will still be struck by the beautiful buildings prevalent here that were built in the pre-partitioned era. Your path will be bordered by books stalls, stationary shops, bakeries and small dhabas along the road. If you look up, you’ll be mesmerised by the magnificent stone work galleries, trellises, floral motifs inscribed on facades, windows, balconies and jharokas. While walking, 

Oblivious to the heavy traffic and commercial activity, the silhouettes of these once magnificent buildings have an aura of sadness that swells and seemed to befall the entire area. Occasionally, a window would open up and a woman or a child would peer outside and then close it, leaving the building in its solitude again.
Perched above the facades, the pigeons would flap their wings and fly away.

The rapid destruction of such old buildings is a threat to the city’s vibrant cultural and magnificent heritage. It is time that this risk is soon identified and taken charge of by the concerned authorities.

History, once lost, cannot be restored.

Karachi- the city of lights:

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Karachi is one of the main cities of Pakistan and is the Provincial capital of Sindh. It is the central hub of all the industries, the mix population of the city improves the political and economical growth of the county. The dominant people of the population are Urdu speaking called“Muhajirs” they are the migrators from India after 1947. Karachi has been developed from a small village “Kalachi-jo-ghote” into such a main and big city because of the main harbor. Karachi is also called “City of lights” for its liveliness and also a “city of Quaid” it is the birth and burial place of our founder Quide-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.Karachi participates as a lion capital in the revenues’ generation of Pakistan.  It is the commercial and financial capital of Pakistan. About 65% of the total national revenues of Pakistan are generated by Karachi. In 2007 February, Karachi was announced as the most business friendly city in Pakistan by World Bank. From the education point of view Karachi has many international standard educational institutes. Most universities of Karachi are included in the leading universities of Pakistan. One of the oldest institute of Business Administration (IBA), is in Karachi; other well known institutes are National university of Science and Technology, Sir Syead University of engineering and Technology, Iqra University, Bahria University, Preston University, and many more.
Cricket is the well known game of the city and there are different small and big grounds for cricket in the city. Main grounds for cricket are National stadium, DHA cricket stadium, UBL sports Complex and some other famous games are boxing, hockey, football, golf, table tennis, squash and etc. there are big shopping malls, restaurants and many parks and other places for visits. The important places of Karachi are tomb of Quaid, Abdullah Shah Ghazi Mausuleom, Karachi port Trust, dream world resort, Tariq road market, zamzama Clifton, Clifton fish aquarium, cliftton bay and many more. The largest business airport “the Jinnah airport” is located in Karachi. The largest business port is located in Karachi near Qasim port.

Monday, May 30, 2016

City by the Sea - The Future of Karachi's Coastline (Urdu)



City by the Sea - The Future of Karachi's Coastline.

The current development projects along Karachi's coast are

 having an adverse effect on its residents and the

 environment. Mangroves that are a barrier against storms

 and cyclones, and nurseries for migratory birds, fish and 

crustaceans are being cut down by the timber mafia with

 abandon. Industrial and domestic sewage by the city's 18

 million inhabitants is released untreated into the sea, causing

 great harm to fishing communities and coastal wetlands. And

 yet, grand mega projects like "Diamond Bar Island City" and 

"Sugar Land City" are being planned on more than 68,000 

acres along the coast, while the needs of the city's original

 inhabitants are being neglected.


This documentary explores alternatives to haphazard

 development along Karachi's coastline in light of the basic

 principles of urban planning.










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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Pallas Valley - Northern Pakistan

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                      PALAS VALLEY KOHISTAN, BEAUTY OF PAKISTAN



Palas Valley is located in Indus Kohistan in northern Pakistan. The area was discovered in the late 1980s to have extensive tracts of pristine forest. Surveys have suggested that these forests contain one of the largest populations of western tragopan in the world, with an estimate of at least 300 pairs. The western tragopan is listed as vulnerable, making Palas Valley extremely important for this species, as well as for other Himalayan pheasants and mammals.
WPA has been working with other partners to support a wide variety of conservation and development work in the valley. The aim is to conserve the forests and rich diversity that they contain, whilst also tackling the cases of poverty amongst the people in the valley. WPA has supported three projects int he area and has also provide aid after a devastating earthquake in 2005. WPA and its members raised a staggering £20,000 for the people of Palas Valley, many of whom were killed or injured, and lost their homes, livestock and livelihoods. 
Key species
Western tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus
Himalayan monal Lophophorus impejanus
Koklass pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha
White-crested kalij Leucomelanos hamiltonii

WPA supported projects in Palas Valley:
Palas Non-Timber Forest Project
Partners: WPA Pakistan and North West Frontier Province's Wildlife Department.
The Project works with local communities to promote the sustainable collection of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). NTFPs are important in rural communities however their collection can cause disturbance to fragile habitats. NTFPs collected in the valley include pine nuts, wild mushrooms and honey.
Prior to the project, the processing of NTFPs collected from Palas were often wasteful with little financial gain due to the low quality of the final product, or the lack of awareness of the market value. The project provided training and equipment to enable the collectors to produce higher quality products with fewer resources. They also introduced new produce that can be propagated in the villages and provide additional income, resulting in a decreased reliance on the forest and thus less disturbance. 
Another important aspect to the project was to raise awareness about NFTPs and the importance of the forests in Palas Valley by initiating Environmental Awareness Programmes. This included providing environmental education to the younger generation and assessing their knowledge of the wildlife in the area, conservation and collection of NFTPs. In 2007, WPA built and funded a school in the valley to provide education and encourage participation of the whole community in the conservation of the valley. This provides another step towards the sustainable livelihoods for the people of Palas.

Himalayan Jungle Project/ Palas Conservation and Development Project

Partners: WWF Pakistan, Birdlife International and European Commission.
The aims of the project were to protect one of the richest areas of diversity in Pakistan by empowering and enabling local communities to establish sustainable, integrated natural resource management in the valley to help tackle poverty and habitat degradation. By reducing poverty and linking development to conservation, it was hoped that the biodiversity of Palas Valley would be protected.