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Karachi |
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KARACHI : Pakistan’s former capital and its largest city, Karachi
is situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea near the mouth of the
Indus. The capital of Sindh Province, it is now a modern industrial
city and Pakistan’s major port. Though not strictly a tourist centre,
there are a number of attractions, such as the fish wharf where
brightly-coloured boats bring in seafood, one of the country’s major
foreign exchange earners. There are hundreds of lively street
restaurants, tea houses, samosa and juice stalls. Boats can be hired
to sail out of the harbour. There are architectural reminders of the
former British Imperial presence, especially in the clubs. The most
magnificent building, however, is the Quaid-e-Azam’s Mazar, the
mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan, made entirely of white marble
with impressive north African arches and magnificent Chinese crystal
chandeliers. The changing of the guard, which takes place three times
a day, is the best time to visit. Other places to visit are the
National Museum, parks, the zoo and a beach at Clifton. |
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Sindh |
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SINDH : A region known for the remarkable quality of its light,
Sindh has two main places of interest: Mohenjodaro, a
settlement dating back 5000 years, and Thatta, notable for its
mausoleums and mosques. There are sporting facilities on Lake
Haleji. |
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The Karakorum Highway |
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THE KARAKORUM HIGHWAY : In the 1960 and 1970s the Pakistan and
Chinese authorities jointly built an asphalt road between Rawalpindi
and Islamabad (Pakistan) and Kashgar (Xinjiang province in China).
This unique highway follows the ancient silk road (see China section)
over a breathtaking knot of mountain ranges that incorporates the
Karakorum, Pamir, Kunlun, Hindukush, and Himalaya mountains. The trail
runs along the Indus River and to the beautiful Gilgit and Hunza
valleys. Today the highway is popular with tourists wishing to cycle
or trek its length but is still used by hajis (Muslims making a
pilgrimage to Mecca). The main attractions of the route are
undoubtedly its challenging geography, unusual yet spectacular scenery
and hospitable local ethnic groups. The best time to travel here is
between September and October, and due to its demanding altitude and
difficult terrain it should be undertaken with an organised tour group
or travel agent. |
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Islamabad |
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ISLAMABAD : Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan
since 1963, and Rawalpindi are both located on the Pothowar
Plain. The decision to build a new capital city in this area
transformed the sleepy town of Rawalpindi into a busy counterpart to
Islamabad. Rawalpindi now houses many of the civil servants working in
the government district. The old part of the town boasts fine examples
of local architecture and bazaars crammed into the narrow streets
where craftsmen still use traditional methods.
As a planned capital, Islamabad lacks some of the regional flair of
other cities, but it houses an interesting variety of modern buildings
in the part designated for government offices. The city itself has an
air of spaciousness, with parks, gardens and fountains below the
silhouette of the Margalla Hills. In the midst of these lies
Daman-e-Koh, a terraced garden with an excellent view over the
city. Also in Islamabad is the Shah Faisal Masjid (mosque)
which can accommodate 100,000 worshippers. The majestic white building
comprises four 88m (288ft) minarets and a desert tent-like structure,
which is the main prayer chamber. |
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The Punjab |
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THE PUNJAB : Lahore is an historic, bustling city with buildings
of pink and white marble. There is plenty to see: bazaars, the
Badshahi Mosque (one of the largest mosques in the world, and an
example of Moghul architecture rivalled only by the Taj Mahal), the
beautiful Shalimar Gardens, the National Museum of
Archaeology and the Gate of Chauburji. Near Taxila
are two interesting excavated sites, Sirkap and Jaulian,
dating back to the Buddhist Gandhara period. Other towns in the Punjab
include Faisalabad (formerly Lyallpur), Attock,
Harappa, Multan and Bahawalpur. |
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North West Frontier
Province |
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NORTH WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE : The capital of the North West
Frontier Province, Peshawar, is surrounded by high walls with
20 entry gates. This is the area of the Pashtuns, or Pathans, as they
have come to be known in more recent times. The lawns and parks
reflect the former colonial days. Much of the surrounding area is
still under the jurisdiction of tribal law. These areas can only be
visited with a permit from the relevant authorities. Many of the
tribesmen carry firearms, the normal adornment for a Pathan warrior.
In the land of the Afridis is the Khyber Pass, the 1067m-high
(3501ft) break in the sheer rock wall separating Pakistan and
Afghanistan. North of Peshawar, in the Hindu Kush Mountains, is
the wild and beautiful area of Chitral, inhabited by the Kalash
people, last of the non-Islamic tribes of Kafiristan. This valley is
noted for its hot springs and trout-filled rivers. East of Chitral is
the beautiful Swat Valley. This is an area (average height
975m) of wild mountains and fantastic alpine scenery. It was, in
ancient times, the home of the famous Gandhara school of sculpture, a
manifestation of Greek-influenced Buddhist forms. The ruins of great
Buddhist stupas, monasteries and statues are found all over Swat. It
is now the home to the Swat Pathans and also boasts popular mountain
retreats such as Mingora, Kalam, Miandam and
Behrain, with Saidu Sharif its principle town. |
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Kashmar |
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KASHMAR : Some of the highest mountains in the world can be found
in this province, such as the famous Nanga Parbat and the
second highest mountain in the world, K2, also known as
Mount Godwin-Austen. The Baltoro Glacier and the Batura
Glacier are the largest outside the polar regions. The settlements
of Gilgit and Skardu are well-known stop-offs on the
mountaineering trail. |
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Information
provided by Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. |
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