Fascinating Pakistan

Britta travels through Pakistan and reflects her experience

ISSN 2754-3145

VOLUME 03, ISSUE 02, JULY-AUG. 2023

PKR 900 | UK £6 | US $8

A Journey Through Pakistan

A magical journey

10

Magical Journeys

07 to 24

Dusk Till Dawn: The Golden Desert, Nushki

07

A Journey Through Wonderland; Pakistan

10

Churna Island: A Lifetime Experience

14

Qissa Khwani Bazaar

21

Heritage

14

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25 to 36

Discover the Past Glory of Swat

25

Visiting Flagstaff House

29

Schist Buddha of Gandhara

33

33

41

45

Tourism Bulletin

39

Cultural emblem

41 to 44

Kashmiri Shawls – a Prized Possession

Photo Feature Multan - City of Saints and Culture

Adventure & Activities Paragliding: An Adventure Sport of Northern Pakistan Treasure Trove

41

45 to 49 45

61

50 to 54 50

56 to 66

BULHAN The Incredible Indus River Dolphin

56

The Sweetness of Pakistani Mango

61

Cuisine

50

67 to 74

Koki Naan – Surprise your appetite

67

Summer Drinks of Pakistan

69

69

A Quarterly Publication Volume 03, Issue 03 CHIEF EXECUTIVE & CHIEF EDITOR Tahawur Husain Jafri MANAGING EDITOR AVM (R) Ijaz Mahmood Malik

EDITOR Saira Zehra Jafri DIRECTOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Shams Uddin CREATIVE HEAD Milana Veselinovic SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Rida Hussain ADVISORY BOARD Aftab Rana – MD PTDC Tariq Suleman – History & Heritage Tanveer Ahmed – Cuisine Ivan G. Somlai – Intn’l Development Ali Salman Anchan – Art & Culture PRINTING MANAGERS Strings Media Ltd. ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION Pakistan & Intn’l Email: info@fascinatingpakistan.com Pakistan: +92 3450249583 Address: Emirates Tower, 2nd & 3rd Floor Islamabad 44210 UK: +44 2071839794 Address: 268 Bath Road, Slough SL1 5DJ, UK

PUBLISHER Strings Media Ltd. EDITORS DESK editor@fascinatingpakistan.com OFFICIAL PARTNER Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation Government of Pakistan

Editor’s Note W

elcome to the Summer edition of Fascinating Pakistan!

In this content packed edition, we bring to you an endless array of soul replenishing, mind rejuvenating destinations and experiences available in Pakistan.

We take you through the calm golden sand dunes of Nushki desert, we follow the roads taken by Britta Sculze a solo female travel enthusiast from Germany, wandering through the long-winded swathes of Pakistan on her bike. We infiltrate the bustle of Qissa Khwani Bazaar of Peshawar from the eyes and experience of Ivan and Hussain Agahi market of Multan, peeling off layers of history to unravel the past glory. Strolling between the sites and stupas of Swat drenched in antiquity to marvelling awe struck while we saunter along the corridors of Quaid-e-Azam House.

We take you by hand as we soar and glide in the Northern winds of Pakistan on sky diving experience, the mind-numbing adrenaline rush with insane views, filling hearts with a unique calm and spiritual serenity.

We take you through the Indus River where Dolphins - marvellous mammals: protectors of sailors with their healing echoic ringing through your veins releasing endorphins, to the sites of ancient Buddhist meditation searching for peace within.

Ever wonder how it feels when you whirl like a Sufi dervish on the earnest melodies of qawwali near the entrance to one of hundreds of shrines that dot the city? Multan-the Sufi City of Pakistan.

Do enjoy this issue, and whether abstract or tangible, let us all pledge to find the meaning of this journey called life.

Fascinating Pakistan takes pride in the work we as a team have been delivering. Today Fascinating Pakistan is the ‘Official Partner’ to PTDC. My special thanks to Mr. Aftab Rana for providing his visionary leadership and the progressive work being done in uplifting the tourism sector.

We wish Pakistanis all over the world a very Happy Independence Day! Have a wonderful summer!

FOLLOW US Twitter: FascinatingPK Instagram: FascinatingPK Facebook: FascinatingPK YouTube: FascinatingPakistan www.fascinatingpakistan.com www.stringsmedia.com

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Tahawur Husain Jafri Chief Editor & CEO Founder – Fascinating Pakistan

[ M AG I C A L J O U R N E Y S ]

Dusk Till Dawn: The Golden Desert, Nushki

By Tayyiba Naeem

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R

oving around a desert may sound boring but a Golden desert will leave you awe struck. Located in the province of Balochistan, Nushki lies in the plain southwest of Quetta and is at a height of about 2,900 feet. It is also called the city of Golden Desert because of a breathtaking desert that is stretched westward towards the river named Helmand. The dusk till dawn view in the desert apprises the soul and relief in affliction.

The golden sand dunes can be sighted around the city stretching toward the Afghanistan border. It features Sand dunes like mountains but those are always in motion and changing shapes. Giving the tourist an exceptional sigh which is hard to find in any other region.

Nushki drew from two Balochi words “Nosh-Koh” which stands for finishing work, with the passage of time, this word was converted into “Nushki”. The administration of the Nushki district was taken over from the Khan of Kalat by the British government in 1896, and was leased from him on a perpetual quit rent in 1899.

The District lies between 65°07’42”- 66°18’45” East longitudes and 29°01’51”-29°52’37”North latitudes. The location of Nushki is 810 km (aerial distance) southwest (237 degrees bearing) of Pakistan’s Capital City Islamabad and 120 km southwest (233 degrees bearing) of Quetta City, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

Handicraft made by Nushki women

Lake in Nushki Desert

The district is home to 178,796 people, according to the 2017 census, and it is a sparsely populated region with a population density of 30.69/km2 (19.06/sq mi). The city’s population makes it the 14th most populated city in Baluchistan. Brahui, Balochi, and Pashto are widely spoken languages. It is the home of Badini and many other tribes.

Because of its proximity to Iran, some influence of the IranBaloch blend of culture is in vogue.

Nushki is a historical region that dates back centuries. For centuries it served as a passage and station for people traveling to Afghanistan and Iran. British Empire took a particular interest in this region to conquer neighboring areas such as Iran and Afghanistan.

District Nushki is situated 144 kilometers southwest of Quetta on the main RCD, highway. The mining concessions are granted for Chromite while some deposits of graphite are reported in the shape of stringers but the grade and size of the ore are not known. The deposits of Sheikh Wasal are located 3 Km northwest of the Sheikh Wasal, which is 72 km southwest of Quetta on Quetta Nushki road and railway line. The deposits occur at the crest of the Mashelakh Range.

A working was developed about 55 meters in length in the southeast direction.

A cross road in the Nushki Desert

The region experiences sweltering and clear summers. Hot season average daily temperature varies from 26°C to 35°C. The average temperature during the winter season may range from 2.22°C to 20°C. The average rainfall during the whole year is approximately 22.86 mm.

The sports culture is thriving in this region. A playground has been built for people to play soccer under lights.

People enjoy sports such as Football and Boxing. Whereas, the primary source of income is agriculture. High hills and deserts surround the region. The cultivation of supreme quality grapes, watermelons, and melons is abundant in this region. Additionally, several factories are also instrumental in generating a nominal amount of revenue and contributing to Pakistan’s economic growth. It is not an industrial town. However, some factories in the region provide work opportunities to the residents and people in nearby cities. Factory units include R.C. Pipes & Blocks, Ice Factory, and Chagai Roller Flour Mill.

National Highway N-40 connects Mustang, Nushki, and Chaghi and ends up on the Pak-Iran border. Travelers from throughout the country can reach by road. Several transport services are operating in this region. The railroad network at Nushki runs along the main road and connects the town with other cities. Nushki railway station was made operational in 1897 and it is the oldest Indo-Persian track built in the region. The small domestic airport, Nushki

Airport (NHS), is located in this city. Whereas, the nearest airports to the city are: Quetta International Airport (UET), 118.17 km, Moenjodaro Airport (MJD), 322.27 km, and Sukkur Airport (SKZ), 338.58 km.

A beautiful view of the blue water is located below sand dunes, wild trees, and bushes- a nonpareil sight however, at the moment it is topped up with flood water. The astonishing view of Zangi Nawar Dam Nushki is a tourist sight across many regions spreading over around 1100 acres of land. It is home to migratory birds from Russian Siberia and various parts of the world, and the birds visit annually in winter. The Government must focus on the promotion and protection of natural resources in order to encourage tourism in the country.

Visiting the places and writing about them aren’t just ‘destinations’ for authors and their readers. It’s a home, a solace, and an affinity to the land. To flourish on the huge horizon, the golden desert Nushki is a perfect escape to do so!

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[ M AG I C A L J O U R N E Y S ]

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A Journey Through Wonderland; Pakistan

By Britta Schulze

P

akistan had remained on my planned destinations list but despite its natural splendor, the impression based on media information was always mixed. Finally I decided to visit the country, where surprisingly you are welcomed as a guest not charged as a tourist. On my journey around the globe visiting more than 80 countries I have never experienced such a hospitable nation. I was warmly welcomed in many family homes and served delicious Pakistani dishes. On a daily basis I had to insist to pay for purchases and services.

Contrary to the mistaken perception created by the media I felt way safer than in most other countries, even as a solo female traveler. Pakistanis are very friendly, kind and helpful and don’t expect anything in return.

On my journey from Karachi to Bahawalpur, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar I visited several historical and religious sites. I was also invited to engagement parties and weddings along the way. Just about a month into the trip, I rented a motorcycle in Islamabad and headed up North.

I loved exploring the different valleys and no amount of snow, rocks, mud, water or sand could stop me from getting to the various destinations. On my 2500 km I visited Ushu, Kumrat, Kalash, Shandur, Gilgit, Hunza, Chapursan, Misgar and Khunjerab and travelled back on the majestic and

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Brita pictures with her bike in Gilgit region with Himalaya mountain views in background.

Karachi: The Mausoleum or founder of Pakistan Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah

Brita pictures at the Stupa remains in Swat

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Enjoying freshly squeezed cold sugarcane juice.

diverse Karakoram Highway to Islamabad. My week long trip to Swat and Chitral is another memorable adventure.I fell in love with the dense forests, the turquoise waters and the jagged mountain peaks. Riding the motorcycle and breathing in the fresh air made me feel free and close to nature. Wherever I stopped my motorcycle I was welcomed by happy, curious and lovely locals. Everyone would invite me for at least a cup of tea and wouldn’t say good bye until they made sure that I was fine and didn’t need anything else. Everyone was very caring and concerned about my well being. Having all these great experiences with different Pakistanis I wasn’t worried about the motorcycle breaking down or facing any other difficulties. I knew that I wasn’t alone, I knew that there would be always someone willing to help me. My overall experience was being a warmly welcomed guest every moment . While I would always cherish the sweet memories of times shared with local hospitable friends and families, I would thankfully like to acknowledge Fascinating Pakistan Team for full time care and support during my travels in northern areas.

Pakistan is just in its early foot steps to becoming one of the next big travel destinations. The country offers numerous opportunities which haven’t been fully explored and facilitated yet. Pakistan is not only rich in culture and history but also offers the possibility of various outdoor activities.

At the moment everything is still on a very low scale. Ski resorts only offer one or two slopes, hiking routes only have a couple of established camps.

There are missing home stays in traditional houses for example Wakhi homes offering cultural experiences. In general, there have to be more accommodations with better standards and services.

Moreover, there has to be a transport system bringing the tourists not only to the main attractions but also the remote valleys. An integrated Tourism network , which can provide a seamless facility of air travel , ground transportation to remote destination and ecofriendly infrastructure on sites can greatly facilitate tourists both domestic as well as from abroad.

About the author Britta Schulze is a clinical psychologist from Germany. She is a passionate traveler who has traveled more than 80 countries around the world.

In her opinion travelling isn’t just about exploring new places and trying out new things, it is a progressive journey of self-discovery. During her pursuit to explore the world, she met unforgettable people and learnt that she was never alone. Travel made her more confident, open-minded and creative. She enjoys appreciating the small things in life.

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Churna Island A Lifetime Experience Text and photos by Naba Basar

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L

ocated near Mubarak village, Karachi, Churna is a small island in the Arabian Sea. It is approximately 9 km from the Hub River also known as “Manjhar Beach”, which is between the provinces of Balochistan and Sindh. The Island itself is around 1.2 km in length and 0.5 km in width. It is 6 km from Mubarak Village which is also the second largest fishermen settlement in Karachi and the boundary between the Balochistan and Sindh.

Churna, locally known as ‘Cheerno’, is famous for its clear water, coral reefs and marine life and for many activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, underwater photography, cliff jumping, jet skiing, hiking, banana tubing, surfing, speed boating etc.

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The mesmerizing sea is bound to relax your mind and heal your soul.

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For a seamless experience, we decided to take a local provider that offers experiences at Churna Island.

The chosen meeting point was Boat Basin, Clifton. The drive from Karachi to Mubarak village is about 1.5 hours and takes another 45 - 50 minutes’ boat ride to the anchor point. The route we took was Gulbai to Mauripur to Mubarak village.

People also take a boat ride from Sunehri beach which is a 2-minute drive (800 m) from Manjhar Goth, which is where we embarked. Goth Manjhar is a small fishermen settlement and often used as a firing range by Pakistan Navy.

We each slipped into the life vests (mandatory) provided by the staff and piled into a small wooden boat. It was October and the perfect weather with gorgeous migratory birds in sight - a brilliant place for bird lovers.

Churna is a large, barren, rocky-reef island off the coastline. Once anchored we got a briefing in snorkeling which is good for both swimmers and non-swimmers followed by snorkels and masks and an encouraging cheer to jump off!

The feeling of being in the Arabian Sea, in the middle of nowhere with the floating fauna of the sea floating by you is something every adventure lover should experience once in their life.

Scuba diving in Charna Island is a popular sport

You have to follow the guiding ropes installed on the water surface of the snorkeling area, which is a depth of around 10 to 15 ft.

As we had never snorkeled before, my son and I felt an adrenaline rush as we watched hordes of people diving in one by one. If you are a non-swimmer you will have a little trouble getting used to the mask, the snorkel, breathing with your head underwater and the triumphant blue, bitter salty sea that you just cannot avoid gulping.

Time for underwater photography! One of the guys from the group pushed us underwater one by one and clicked pictures using his waterproof camera - a challenge but the ultimate reward is worth it.

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Fishing near the Charna Island

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We stayed in the water for almost 4 hours and as you swim towards the rocks you will spot different sea creatures.

Few things to keep in mind • Read reviews about the company you use and be on time.

The Charna Island in view

• Have a light breakfast before the boat ride to avoid seasickness and nausea.

• Best to stop for a bathroom break near Manjhar Village.

• Carry your ID. • On a bright sunny day, one must carry water, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

I caught sight of a seahorse, jellyfish, a loose cluster of small fish and many stripped green and yellow fish gleaming under bright sun beams.

It was mid-afternoon and we were called for lunch on the boat. A bit of a chill you feel as you pull yourself up!

No point bringing extra clothes since there is no place to change on the boat. It was sunny and the sun warmed us as we ate. It was a joy watching them as we wolfed-down the aromatic savory rice dish.

Time to bid farewell and sail back to the shore before the sun disappears below the horizon.

• Travel light and take only what is necessary on the boat (carry a towel and something warm to wear over later).

Don’t leave behind your valuables such as, wallet, cash, cell phone, camera etc.

• Footwear that’s water friendly / water safe / water appropriate.

• Don’t wear anything that would weigh you down in water (avoid jeans / double layered trousers/ thick shirts).

• Respect the sea life under water and do not litter.

• Buses / public transport to Mubarak Village or Sunhera Beach are not-frequent.

• Snorkeling kit includes diving mask, snorkel (device / a tube for breathing in water surface), life jacket, wet suits (optional for cold weather).

• Male and female instructors and lifeguards available (double-check before signing up)

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Highlights • Large number of men, women and children were swimming in the sea and clicking pictures but no disorderly conduct.

• The company we opted for was cooperative, courteous and professional.

Routes • Distance from Mubarak Village to Charna is 6 km • Distance from Manjhar Beach to Charna is 9 km • Distance from the center of the city to Manjhar beach its 50 km

Best time to Visit Due to the absence of high tides, the sea is calm, therefore the best time to snorkel is from November until April. It is a natural phenomenon that the water feels much warmer during the winters as compared to summers. The average temperature of the water in winter is said to be not more than 25 degrees. September to April (all winter months - wetsuits will be provided upon request).

Tour Duration • Early morning to evening • Night stay and camping not possible.

About the Writer Born and raised in Karachi, Naba found it extremely difficult to step out of her comfort zone as a single parent to explore Pakistan as a solo traveler. A teacher by profession, her passion for adventure began in 2013 which inspired her to explore the unprecedented mountain ranges of Pakistan. She enjoys sharing her experiences, Pakistani hospitality, lives and stories, culture, cuisine and simplicity of the people with the rest of the world through her pictures and travelogues. Her ultimate wish is to settle in the mountains where she dreams of establishing a learning center for underprivileged children and equipping them with digital skills so they can narrate the stories of the people of the mountains.

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[ M AG I C A L J O U R N E Y S ]

Qissa Khwani Bazaar

By Iván G. Somlai Photo by: Asmar Hussain

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1. Famous municipalities around the world have “historical neighbourhoods”, “market centres”, “sights you must see”.

Peshawar has Qissa Khwani!

2. UNESCO identifies seven creative fields in which selected cities are judged: crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts and music. Qissa Khwani’s historical attributes encompass most of these, but with the added pedigree of unparalleled, complex history.

3. Although some ambiguities remain in the origin and establishment of Peshawar, it is safe to say that by the 2nd century BCE, Peshawar (with at least a dozen variants of its spelling and meaning) was a learning and commercial hub.

This city is certainly one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in South Asia, with an eclectic multicultural indigenous, colonial and imperial history.

Its location by the Bara River (of Mahabharata fame!) and the Khyber Pass made it an ideal caravanserai for arriving and departing traders from Silk Road centres like Xian, Samarkhand and Bokhara via Kabul and Khyber on their way to Lahore, Amritsar and Delhi....and return.

4. Gradually, some part of the main travel route evolved into a service neighbourhood focusing on travellers’ needs: this was Qissa Khwani Bazaar, the Story Tellers Market, a vibrant, chronicled historical area in its own right, as attested to by visible archaism in the multiepochal architecture.

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5. Over hundreds of years, this strategic location of Qissa Khwani gradually expanded from a thriving main-street to a tentacled neighbourhood of dense settlements, multigenerational havelis (urban courtyard mansions), replete

with meandering pedestrian alleyways of multifarious occupations, or guilds. Gradually, a walled city was formed around this and adjoining neighbourhoods with 16 major entry gates, having the original entry from the north by the Kabuli Gate and east at the Lahori Gate. Fourteen more gates were later constructed and closed at nights for security of the inhabitants; most of these gates have decayed.

6. Specialty stores included (some still do) jewellery, cloth, silkenwear, fur, bedding, footwear, haberdasheries, metalsmiths, kitchenware, crockery, books, lighting supplies, military memorabilia, carpets, mechanical parts, cookware, antiques, spices galore....a virtually endless assortment of utilitarian and decorative items, interspersed with vendors of groceries, sweets, fruit sellers, fishmongers, money exchange and transfer offices.

7. Being at the intersection of various trade routes, Qissa Khwani became, as a matter of course, representative of their respective cultures, religions and languages: thus for many years, the intermingling of local Muslims with Christian, Jewish, Sikh and Hindu merchants was an exemplar of peaceful cooperation, and some structural remnants of each still exist, in various stages of visibility and condition.

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8. The area was ideal for congregating in local qahwa khana (tea stalls) to sip qahwa (sweet green tea often infused with cardamom, cinnamon and crushed nuts), exchanging information on travel routes and regional politics, along with listening to Pakhtun and Hindko folklore and fanciful tall tales! Creeping modernization has by now progressively replaced storytellers with electronic news and entertainment; and by around the middle of the 20th century, camel, horse and mule caravans had been replaced by a variety of vehicles that unavoidably clog the thoroughfares of Qissa Khwani.

9. Nearby goods stores are sweetshops as well as eateries where while the menu be sparse, the mouth-watering specialties such as charsi tikka, chapli kabab and kheer can satisfy most demanding palates.

10. Visitors should come not only for shopping, but also to explore historical sacred sites like the Qasim Ali Khan Mosque in Mohallah (urban residential neighbourhood) Baqir Shah, built during Emperor Aurangzeb’s reign (1658 - 1707); the neglected darwaza (gates) which admitted hundreds of thousands of itinerants; and sites of major political events during the ages, commemorated with historic plaques and/ or structures. Then of course, for film buffs there are the ancestral homes of some major artists, such as Dilip Kumar,

Raj Kapur, Shah Rukh Khan and Madhubala.

11. Sadly, many original buildings, gardens, walls, gates and temples, have been seriously deteriorating from neglect, misuse, unauthorised renovations, as well as inferior quality repairs. Several extraordinary examples of period architecture now exhibit only protruding structural members, with the buildings in varying states of ruin.

Intricate architecture, imbued with the lengthy history of this area, could still be rescued were it efficiently managed through increased tourism which in turn could avail necessary funds for the department of archeology and architectural specialists to pursue competent renovations of major historical importance.

12. A suggested place to start your tour is to park at Chowk Yadgaar (Remembrance Square) from where an alleyway allows sighting of Cunningham Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar), which can then remain your reference point as you explore further. Take the right fork from the Clock Tower straight to the Mughal era Gor Khatri Museum, from where the Italian ‘Abu Tabela’ (look up his real name and reputation!) governed the area in the mid 19th century. Further along you reach Gorakh Nath Hindu temple built in 1851. Try to link with a local friend who could steer you around the maze; that would be best.

About the author Iván G. Somlai has lived over 16 years in Asia, including 3 in Pakistan based in Peshawar, and was responsible for a complex, multisectoral project involving most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. One of his favourite frequent haunts was Qissa Khwani, where his thirst for history, culture and qahwa were simultaneously quenched!

A former Olympian and mountaineer, and retired from university, Ivan actively engages in multisectoral consulting globally.

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[ H E R I TAG E ]

Discover the

Past Glory of Swat Text and Photographs by: Aftab Rana

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S

wat is without doubt one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the northern Pakistan.

Swat has a rich historical past. It was described as “Udyana” (the garden) in ancient Hindu epics and where in 327 BC, Alexander the Great fought and won some of his major battles before crossing over to the plains of the five rivers. The famous Gandhara Buddhist Civilization later flourished in this valley.

Barikot is an important historical town on the main road to Mingora. The area around Barikot is full of rich and amazing archaeological sites in an environment which is still intact. It is one of the four places in this area were Alexander the Great fought crucial battles. Barikot is dominated by the serene majesty of Mt. Ilam which is considered a holy mountain in Hinde religion. There are number of archaeological sites around Barikot town.

Recently, I had chance to take an exploratory trip to lower Swat and I was amazed to see the great potential this area offers for archaeological tourism. Here I share with you details of some of the very impressive but less known sites of Barikot area.

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Bazira The main archaeological site at Barikot was identified as the ancient city of Bazira, conquered by Alexander the Great in 327 B.C. Excavations carried out by Italian Archaeological Mission in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Pakistan have brought to light evidence spanning from the 2nd millennium B.C. to the early Muslim period.

A beautifully restored portion of the Indo-Greek defensive wall and bastions are visible from the road on left side while traveling towards Mingora. There is also a very nice view point on the hill top behind this archaeological site from where one can have a panoramic view of site of ancient city of Bazira and Valley of Swat River on the other side.

Amluk Dara Stupa Amluk Dara is another great archaeological site of this area.

This Gandhara civilization archaeological site was uncovered jointly by Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Directorate of Archaeology and Museums. Sheltered by the great Mount Ilam, the Amluk Dara stupa is an ancient relic situated about 2 km on the north of Nawagai village in the beautiful small valley of Amluk Dara, on the main road which travels from Barikot to Buner.

Gumbat Another important and unique archaeological site located in this area is Gumbat. The great sanctuary of Gumbat, the only monument in the architecture of Gandhara exhibiting a double cupola is a great site for visitors. This site was in danger of collapsing. A Pak-Italian team, besides offering guidelines for preliminary restoration to the Pakistan Army in 2011 has secured the area and conducted a partial digging. The research work has revealed that the sanctuary was erected no later than the 2nd century A.D. and that the holiest part, dominated by three surrounding large shrines, remained in use until relatively late times.

The stupa stands with ancient majesty and can be seen from the surrounding mountains. Excavators working on the site that dates back to the third century recently discovered an entire complex surrounding the main stupa which was first discovered by the Hungarian-British archaeologist Sir Aurel Stein in 1926. It was later studied by Domenico Faccena in the 60s and 70s.

Dr Luca Maria Olivieri who is the director of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan is working on the restoration of this site. He informed that Sir Aurel Stein in 1926 reported the ruins and wrote that the main stupa was possibly one of the best preserved pieces of Buddhist architecture he had ever seen in Gandhara. The main stupa with its sacred area was founded around the third century and lasted until 10th or 11th century.

Amluk Dara is also very significant as it lies on the route followed by the Hindus of lower Swat on their annual visit to the sacred height of Mount Ilam. The top of the mountain was an object of pious pilgrimage already in Buddhist times.

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The Rock Art Sites In the mountains south of Barikot, the archaeologists have documented 52 painted shelters in the mountains area of Kahai Kandao, Sarghah Sar and Talang. Among these painted shelters, two sites, Sarghah Sar and Kakai Kandao are dated to Bronze Age (1400 BC). Particularly the rock shelter of Sarghah Sar is very impressive, which resembles a human face. The paintings are located at the base of a huge rock slab in a natural opening (that appears as the “mouth”), while two natural cavities create the illusion of two enormous eyes. The paintings represent an agricultural cycle: dotted grids symbolize ploughed and sowed fields.

The anthropomorphic inserted in the central grid might represent Ksetrapati, the Ragvedic “Lord of the Field”. A hero with solar shield faces a leopard and an ibex depicts ritual slaughtering.

In fact the entire lower Swat Valley is rich in old relics. Every

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town and village has a wealth of old remains in one form or the other. Many villages are historically very significant because of their names in ancient languages. Udegram, Shingardar Stupa, Nimogram Stupa, Kamal China, Abbashib China, Thokar Dara Stupa, Gogdara, Gheghai, Jahanabad Buddha and Batkara Stupa are some of the other significant archaeological sites of lower Swat Valley. In the next article I will share details on these impress archaeological sites.

ACT- Field School Project of Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan and Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan (STFP) are working together to promote sustainable and eco-friendly community based archaeological tourism in this area of Swat Valley. They have helped local community to form Swat Archaeological Guides Association (SAGA) and building their capacity to conduct group tour programs.

They have also developed different package tours for domestic as well as foreign tourists to provide guided tours led by trained local community tour guides.

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Visiting Flagstaff House Photo courtesy: Shabbir A Jangda

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he yellow brick façade with green wooden frames attracts many visitors to its gate as the Flagstaff House stands as tall as Jinnah’s achievements.

This is the Quaid-e-Azam House, dedicated to the personal life of Muhammad Ali Jinnah located in Karachi, close to Frere Hall. In the hustle bustle of the city, the house is a reminder of what the Quaid did for us.

This house remained the residence of Jinnah from 1944 until his death in 1948. It is known that Mr Jinnah hardly lived at this place but visitied it frequently. His sister, Fatima Jinnah lived there until 1964. It was bought by Jinnah in 1943 at the cost of 150,000 rupees. The building was later acquired in 1985 by the Pakistani government and converted to a museum.

The Structure The structure is built of lime-stone masonry with wooden trusses supporting the roof. Red ceramic Manglore tiles are used at the top to cover the roof. The staircase is all wooden and is in dark brown color. Beautifully coloured tiles are used on the ground floor and wooden planks are used on the first as floor covering.

The Decor Each room is decorated with those relics which Quaid-iAzam used during his lifetime. A finely carved cigarette box of good quality sandalwood is one of the antiques now placed in the house. A big camphorwood box which is skillfully carved on the sides is also placed in the bedroom on the first floor. The sofa sets are preserved in their original form.

The Quaid-i-Azam House is now renovated, and equipped with modern facilities. It is centrally air-conditioned and there is a fire extinguishing unit. Other facilities include burglar alarm system, close circuit TV and film projection facility.

The Department of Archaeology and Museums, the Government of Pakistan and the Public Works Department jointly prepared a comprehensive scheme for renovating and restoring the Quaid-i-Azam House.

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The study room consists of a reading table, chairs, table lamp and some stationery items. A resting sofa is placed at on corner of the room. The shelves made of wood and fine quality glass are decorated with high standard crockery which were used by the Quaid-i-Azam.

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THE MAIN HOUSE The main House has been completely renovated and restored but its general character or profile has been maintained intact. Only the roof of ground floor was changed and laid in cement concrete but was provided by refixing the false wooden ceiling and wooden floor on top similar to the original design, using almost 80% old material.

The roof over the 1st floor has been done according to its original plan and finished with red clay tiles.

On the exterior, missing and damaged portions of columns balusters and balconies have been restored to match the original style and colour. The damaged stone of the building has been replaced with new ones to strengthen the structure. All electric controls have been placed in two control rooms where fire alarm systems will is monitored.

THE ANNEXE The Annexe originally consisted of four small rooms with a verandah that provided access to the rooms. The flat concrete lintels in the verandah indicate that it was added at some later date. The dividing walls of the rooms have now been removed to provide a large Hall to serve as an Auditorium and Projection Room. The verandah has been retained which opens towards the front garden. Though the roof has been changed, it follows the original profile of the slopping roof and has been finished with clay tiles.

OUT HOUSE The roof profile and clay tiles finish has been maintained according to the original construction. The front verandah has also been maintained as in the original building. The Out House has been converted into reserves, offices and library.

LIBRARY

restoration of the water supply system. A number of lights have been provided in the garden for security and also for its use on special occasions.

The Rooms Within On the first floor, there is an open area with a breakfast table, a second ‘upstairs’ drawing room and two bedrooms belonging to Fatima Jinnah and Mr Jinnah respectively.

The rooms are well kept. The second drawing room, most probably reserved for special guests, seems smaller.

Both rooms are too date portray a simplistic and minimilistic feature with very little furniture. Fatima Jinnah’s room also features a separate dressing area.

A small library, containing books about Quaid-i-Azam and Freedom Movement has been established in July, 2003 to facilitate visitors.

Mr Jinnah’s room is done in dark-wood furniture. Like his sister’s room, there is only a single bed and a bedside table, with a small sitting area. A pair of his iconic two-tone shoes lay on a rack in the corner.

GARDEN:

Mr Jinnah’s house and his possessions contained therein reflect his personal style well.

The Garden in front and in the back of the Quaid-i-Azam House has been redesigned to serve the requirement of Museum visitors. It has been laid after due repairs and

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Visiting Hours: 9.00am to 6.00pm

[ H E R I TAG E ]

Schist Buddha of Gandhara

By Huma Wasiq

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G

autama Buddha lived in 6th century BCE, whose teachings were adopted by Gandhara civilization: a well settled area along the river Kabul, but this valley always gave way to the invaders from Afghanistan and further north and west. Most of these conquerors advanced further into the sub-continent, but few stayed here and exchanged their cultural and religious traditions, leaving behind a new impact.

ways of life and left impressive impacts on this region.

Chandragupta’s grandson Ashoka (273-232 BCE) was a zealous missionary worker who first served as governor in two places in Chandragupta’s reign and then became king. After extending his empire in this region he became Buddhist in 261 BC. Hence another influence was printed in the history of this region.

Ashoka erected stone pillars all over his empire on which teachings of Buddha and rules of conduct were carved in Buddhist scripts.

At this time of Ashoka’s reign, Taxila had a University with hundreds of scholars, students flourishing and the Sanskrit became the official language.

Art, music and games were thought and practiced.

Towards the end of 6th century BC, Cyrus, who was also called Cyrus the Elder by the Greeks, conquered Indus valley and became first conqueror ruler of Gandhara kingdom.

This is how the Persian architecture and Karoshthi script was introduced to ancient India.

In 327 BC, Alexander the Great also stayed at Gandhara valley under the reign of Raja Ambhi of Taxila. This military genius found Taxila as a great seat of learning. He found books on medicine, law and the sacred books of that time, which were written under the Persian influence. Exchange of religious and cultural influences with Persia continued for almost 200 years in this region.

The Greeks had ruled for short time in north-west India.

However, the descendants of Greek garrisons established themselves in the Peshawar valley and Taxila. So the Greek influence came to be felt in the region, which is now Pakistan, especially in the sculpture, which flourished in all the towns of Gandhara.

Gradually Greek influence also defused by Asian Hindu king Mauryas (Chandragupta II). This remarkable king organized his kingdom by developing roads, trade, social and domestic life. Socialization and trade lead to new

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These Buddhists wanted to preserve the relics of Gautama Buddha, But after Sakas (20-48 CE), Kushans (48-220 CE) and Kanishka (120-162 CE) from Chinese background, Buddhist philosophy changed. The impact of Brahmanism, made it more complex and Buddha was given a divine status.

Collecting all the influences from Rome to China, the images of Buddha appeared for the first time in 2nd century CE, on the coinage of Kanishka. Temples were now

decorated with sculptures; depicting the life and death of Buddha. Gradually these sculptures of Gautama Buddha were enhanced by different symbols, posters and designs.

The artisans used Schist as material, which is sometimes also found with traces of pigments and gold applied on it.

We can find relief of Buddha even today in North of Pakistan including Peshawar, Skardu, Gilgit, Hunza and Swat valleys.

As an artist, creating awareness about a tiny particle from our strong history, I tried to paint one of these Gautama Buddha sculptures from Swat valley on my canvas. With a landscape from Swat valley in the background, this seated

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Buddha represents many symbols apart from the strong above-mentioned history.

Buddha of Gandhara was never sculpted/ painted with out Halo at the back of his head. This halo denotes Buddha’s divinity and spiritual radiance. The protuberance on the top of head shows super mental acuity.

This head dress is elaborated with ribbons and jewelry along with a wheel, which is representation of time that goes and comes back. There is a third eye representation on his forehead “Uma” (eye of wisdom) which is a sign of auspiciousness.

The long earlobes are due to heave jewelry which he wore as a prince and represents perception of supremacy as well as his renunciation of princely status. The eyes in this sculpture are designed half close which represents his meditation. Its heavy jewelry represents his princely status.

The moustache grows outwards above the upper lips curved subtly, showing early age of Buddha.

Although this beautiful sculpture is now well preserved in Lahore museum but a bird on his shoulder represents the valley of Swat.

important role in the ecosystem as it is an insect eater and controls the exceeding population of insects that might disturb the balance in the biodiversity of the habitats.

This small sparrow bird is resident of the same valley from where this beautiful civilization once belonged. Saxicola Torquata, commonly known as Bush chat or Stone chat, lives in plains as well as in mountains of Pakistan. It has an

The use of mix medium colors on my canvas are not merely strokes of brushes or use of tools, but it is also my attempt to depict our interesting history, beautiful nature and the environments of these historic civilizations.

About the Wrtiter Huma Wasiq is a nature artist from Pakistan with MFA degree from Punjab University. She has received many academic and merit awards, including Presidential Award and Special Artist Award 2018.

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Tourism Bulletin Details of events from April to June 2023 Arabian Travel Mart, Dubai Pakistan Showcased its Rich Tourism Potential in World Leading Travel Show - Arabian Travel Mart (ATM) Dubai, 2023.

A 25-members delegation of Pakistan under the leadership of Mr. Awn Chaudhry, Advisor to Prime Minister on Tourism and Sports including Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Embassy of Pakistan in UAE and 10 to 12 private stakeholders participated in ATM from 1-4 May,2023 to showcase the rich tourism potential of the country.

Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) showcased Pakistan’s rich tourism potential at biggest tourism fair of Korea “Seoul International Travel Fair 2023” which was held from 4-7 May,2023 in collaboration with Pakistan Embassy at Seoul and TDAP.

colourful cultural performances, music, dance, and traditional sports.

Exploring Gandhara Civilization

Vesak Day On 7 May,2023, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), in collaboration with the Gandhara Resource Centre Pakistan (GRCP), Guangdong Guangji Foundation, Paper Miracle, Centre for Culture and Development and the Department of Archaeology and Tourism Punjab successfully organized a grand Vesak Day event at Taxila Museum. “Vesak”, the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world.

The four-day Chilam Josh Festival was held in three Kalash valleys, including Bumburet, Birir and Rumbur from May 13th to 17th May, 2023.

The Chilam Josh festival is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the melting of snow, and is characterized by

On 7 June,2023 PM’s Task force on Gandhara tourism that comprised of Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Chairman PM Task force on Gandhara tourism & other foreign dignitaries made a visit to World Heritage Site Takht i Bahi Mardan, Shah Allahditta Caves, Islamabad & Buddhist archaeological sites of Swat for exploring the Gandhara civilization, its associated Buddhist, Hindu and Jainism art and architecture.

Tourism Working Group Meeting

PTDC & Fascinating Pakistan MOU

Chilam Josh Festival

Mr. Tahawur Jafri and Mr. Aftab Rana exchange MOU copies

An MOU was signed between Managing Director, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Mr. Aftab ur Rehman Rana and CEO of Pakistan’s first tourism magazine, Fascinating Pakistan Mr. Tahawur Husain Jafri to join hands for the promotion of tourist destinations of Pakistan, its rich cultural diversity, cuisine, arts and crafts & promotion of different events related to tourism.

The Managing Director-PTDC, Mr. Aftab ur Rehman Rana participated in the Tourism Working Group Meeting at Tbilisi, Georgia on 12-13 June to discuss the investment priorities for sustainable tourism development across the CAREC region and discussed plans for the launch of a tourism portal that will support the countries and private sector in stimulating tourism growth.

The Working Group also reported to the CAREC Senior Officials Meeting the key deliverables on priority projects, climate resilience and a capacity building program for tourism development in the CAREC region.

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[ C U LT U R A L E M B L E M ]

Kashmiri Shawls –

a Prized Possession

By Rumana Husain

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T

he intricate paisley designs of the soft Pashmina shawl, with its silky woven threads, is a prized possession to behold. An excellent souvenir to take home, a gift from the Kashmir valleys of

Pakistan.

The Historic Relevance Woven from the hair of pashmina goats that thrive on the high plains, located near the Himalayan range, luxuriously soft Kashmir shawls have been worn since antiquity.

The name Pashmina has been derived from a Persian word “Pashm” meaning something that can be weaved.

Traditional producers of Pashmina wool in the Ladak region of the Himalayas were known as the Changpa. These were nomadic people and inhabited the Changthang plateau of Tibet. The raw material of the Kashmir shawl, known in the West as “cashmere,” the history of which dates back to early 1820s.

Most of the Kashmir shawls now in museums or private collections date to between the 17th and 19th centuries.

In the 19th century Kashmir shawls were also exported to England and France — it is said that Napoleon Bonaparte gifted Kashmir shawls to both his wives.

The Beauty Hand-woven, the delicate fabric of Pashmina has a deep cultural significance and this is the tradition incorporated each time you wear a Pashmina shawl. Pashmina is derived from mountain breeds of goat and made from finer and thinner fibres and is therefore lightweight.

Designs Although the designs woven and embroidered on Pashmina

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shawls have varied over time reflecting the tastes of the customers, the basic motifs used by the shawl designers or naqash have remained the same. Two reoccurring motifs used are the cone shaped cypress tree or pine motif, thought to have been imported from Persia. Floral patterns are an enduring motif and were particularly popular in the 17th century, when the Mughal emperors favoured flower designs in their textiles, architecture and works of art.

Paisley patterns (buta) are also popular, with their designs becoming denser, more elaborate and more abstract in the 19th century. Designs of flower and vine motifs are also used by the naqash no doubt inspired by the abundant flora seen in the Kashmir valley during the summer months.

in the high-altitude plains of Tibet, Nepal and Ladakh.

This highly sought-after wool was imported into Kashmir, separated by colour, spun into yarn and woven on a loom.

The transformation of the raw pashm, a mass of greasy fibers, into a fabric renowned for its fineness involved a series of processes. The shawl entrepreneur supplied the pashm in its raw state to women who, in the seclusion of their homes, undertook the painstaking and laborious task of removing the coarse outer hairs from the fleece; they then cleaned it with rice-flour paste, and spun it on wheels similar to those used everywhere in India. The skill of spinning such delicate fiber was passed down over generations from mother to daughter Tapestry weaving is a highly laborious and time-consuming technique, and by the middle of the nineteenth century, as the designs became ever more elaborate, particularly fine shawls took months and even years to complete.

Before the 17th century the pashmina wool was not dyed, and so Kashmir shawls were white, brown, grey or black.

Later, it became more fashionable to colour the wool with natural dyes of dark blue, red and saffron yellow.

A Take Home Gift Kashmir shawls are highly prized for their fine wool, skilled weaving and embroidery, and soft texture. Antique shawls

These motifs evolve into different forms. The textile artisans in Kashmir refer to the buta motif designs with different names. Variations of designs from subtle tones used only on the lengthwise border, hashias and ends, pallas of the shawls with plain centers are juxtaposed with brightly coloured more modern designs with large abstracted buta.

The Making Until the 19th century, all Kashmir shawls were made by hand. It took between six months and a year to make one shawl. These antique shawls were made from pashmina wool, taken from the underhair of pashmina goats living

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are considered an item of luxury, often worn by royalty or nobility and passed down through generations.

The value of a handcrafted Pashmina shawl as a luxury accessory as well as its adaptability to shifting fashion trends by the shawl artisans and designers enables this traditional industry to survive.

Buying Guide Pashmina is sometimes blended with other fibers, notably cotton and sheep wool, for one of two reasons. First, it makes it cheaper. Second, the stronger material can safely be embroidered, while pure pashmina is more likely to be damaged in the process.

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There are a number of tests that we can conduct over a Pashmina shawl to test its authenticity. The burn has always been the first and primary test to prove the purity of Pashmina. Pick a piece from the fringes, place it on a plate, and burn it. If the cut fringe gives out the odour of a natural hair fibre upon burning, there are higher chances of the shawl being a real Pashmina.

Even though sellers sell their Pashmina, fake or real, at the same prices, but real Pashmina is indeed a little expensive than its cheaper copies. The price however depends on a number of factors like ply, count, and weaving design. The cost of a Pashmina shawl varies between Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000.

[ P H O TO F E AT U R E ]

Multan

City of Saints and Culture

By Saira Zehra Jafri

Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam: The exterior is embellished with regional-style tile-work in floral, arabesque, and geometric motifs with dark blue, azure, and white tiles - all of which contrast the deep red finely polished bricks.

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I

t is fascinating to delve into the depths of Multan’s mystical history- City of Saints, peeling back layers of times, looking for evidence of Multan’s glory and spiritual pull for those who wonder about what lies beyond this world.

Multan, one of the oldest cities in South Asia, sits on a major invasion route between South and Central Asia. A city rooted in Sufism, history and culture, Multan is said to have founded by Prophet Noah’s great grandson. It has since been the home for ancient Aryan civilization, been sought after by Alexander the Great, bore on its bosom the legendary Temple of Sun, been part of Ghandara Civilization, besieged and ruled by Muhamad Bin Qasim, seen Abbassid, Ghaznavid invasions , enjoyed independent Emirate era, thrived in Mughal Era, witnessed Sikhs rulers to British colonies until it became Pakistan’s now seventh largest city. The likes of Alberuni, Ibn Batuta and Al Muqadassi have mentioned it in their writings.

While one part of the world was grappling with the Dark Ages, Muslims around the world were thriving with theology and thought. Multan being a trading centres of the medieval Islamic Indian subcontinent, became a haven for many influential Sufis mainly from Persia who brought with them rich cultures and crafts along with religion and

philosophies. Multan blossomed into “The City of Saints.”

Tomb of Shah Rukn-we-Alam The famous shrine of the Sufi Saint Shah- Rukn-e- Alam is located in the northwestern edge of Multan Fort. The mausoleum is considered to be the earliest example of Tughluq architecture, and is one of the most impressive shrines in Asia. The grand structure is not only a of a great saint but also a masterpiece of the Islamic architecture that dates back to the medieval era. Besides its religious importance, the mausoleum is also of considerable archaeological value as its dome is reputed to be the second largest in the world,

Bahauddin Zakariya Mausoleum Bahauddin Zakariya was a Muslim scholar saint and poet who established the Suhrawardiyya order of Baghdad in medieval South Asia, later becoming one of the most influential spiritual leaders of his era.

For fifteen years, Zakariya travelled to different cities in southern Punjab, where the order was able to attract large Shrine of Shah Yousuf Gardezi, Multan.

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numbers of converts from Hinduism. Zakariya finally settled in Multan in 1222. Under his influence, Multan became known as “Baghdad of the East,” and is referred by Zakariya in his Persian poetry: Multan ma ba jannat a’la barabara Multan of ours is comparable to the great Paradise.

Ahista pa ba-nah ke malik sajda mi kunad.

Tread slowly, the angels are paying obeisance here.

Shah Yousuf Gardez Shrine

City are marked by many gates, such as Lohari Gate, Haram Gate, Bohar Gate, Delhi Gate, Dolat Gate and Pak Gate. The present wall was constructed in 1756 AD. These walls are now rehabilitated under The Multan Walled City Project.

Hussain Agahi Bazaar This is Multan’s oldest bazaar and is nothing short of a landmark. Within the bustling streets of this traditional souk you’ll find a vibrant market full of art, craft and fabrics. You can find everything from traditional Multani embroidery, famous blue pottery, handcrafted Khussas to all sort of edible treats here. Within this bazaar, there is a market of dry fruits named Gurh Mandi.

Even just walking down the streets of this bazar will make you feel like you’ve travelled back in time.

The historical heart of the site is a small cubical building with a flat roof, decorated on all sides with blue and white glazed tiles embellished with floral patterns and Aina Kari (mirror work) on the interior.

Shrine of Shah Yousuf Gardezi

Handicrafts shop in Hussain Agahi Bazaar, Multan.

Ghanta Ghar, Multan

Shah Gardez was an Islamic Sufi saint who came to Multan, (present-day Punjab, Pakistan) in 1088 AD from Gardez in the present day Ghazni. He is said to have restored the city of Multan, converted many people to the Islam, and worked tirelessly for the community. Shah Yousuf Gardezi’s tomb is located about 600 meters southwest of the fort of Multan.

The historical heart of the site is a small cubical building with a flat roof, decorated on all sides with blue and white glazed tiles embellished with floral patterns and Aina Kari (mirror work) on the interior.

Faseel-e-Multan Multan’s inner city is fenced by an ancient wall, which was constructed in 1756 AD. It was built and rebuilt many times as it was destroyed in battles. The entrances to the Walled

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Famous Blue Pottery of Multan

Ghanta Ghar – The Clock Tower of Multan Multan’s Ghanta Ghar was built in 1884 A.D during the British colonial period. Since 1888 it served as the site for British Municipal offices. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the Hall was renamed Jinnah Hall and continued to serve as government offices. It is currently being converted into a museum.

rivers, it is dried in the sun, and then processed to remove any impurities. It’s high in minerals and antioxidants and has many health benefits.

It’s composed of hydrated aluminium silicates and is rich in magnesium chloride and calcium bentonite, a composition similar to bentonite clay. It’s found in a large range of natural colours like brown, green, and white.

Multani Mitti

Kashikari or Multan Blue Pottery

Multani mitti is used as a natural cleanser and astringent, offering a host of benefits for the skin, including reducing oil, fighting acne, balancing and brightening skin tone and reducing pigmentation

The Persian influence in the Kashikari artwork is evident by the drawing of plants, flowers, and geometric patterns.

Extracted from the sediment of Multan’s ancient lakes and

Kashikari is pottery making and designing style with blue paint on white surface. Multan is known for its “Kashi” (blue) pottery works. This craft is influenced by Persian, Central Asian and Mongolian art, and its origin can be traced to the city of Kashgar, in western China. Each piece is handcrafted and hand-painted before being treated with heat, and the resulting product, though very delicate, is also remarkably durable. The Persian influence in the artwork can be seen by the drawing of plants, flowers, and geometric patterns.

Multani Sohan Halwa

Multani Mitti, used as natural face mask

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Multani Sohan halwa is a famous dessert from Multan with its origin dating back to Mughal era. For a true foodie, Sohan Halwa is to winter what mangoes are to summer, except it is

not limited just to the winters. This famous mithai has come to be the defining symbol of Multan.

lies on the main Railway line between Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore and Quetta. The line serves as the main passenger and freight line webbing through Pakistan and 75% of the country’s cargo and passenger traffic uses the track. Being part of CPEC, with average rail speed is expected to double up to 160 kilometres per hour upon completion of the ongoing upgrade.

Mangoes – Anwar Ratol Multan’s Anwar Ratol is famous and highly desired mango. A mango grafter migrated from Ratol to Pakistan, transplanted a sprig there and named it Anwar, after his father. Anwar Ratol is considered top of the line in terms of shape, weight, size and taste. Its deceptively sweet flavour and strong aroma makes it stand out.

Vans Agnew Monument

With a temperature range of 40OC to 45oC in summer Multan is best place for the growth of a high-quality mango.

Pakistan is the world’s fifth-largest mango producer. Some of the most popular types of mangoes produced and exported in Pakistan include, Chaunsa, Anwar Ratol, Sindhri, Dussehri, and Langra.

The monument is to the memory of one of the important political agents of the East India Company whose assassination by the loyal’s of Diwan of Multan in 1848, led to the siege of Multan and eventually precipitated the second Sikh war that led to annexation of the Punjab by British East India Company.

Mural Railway Station

Vans Agnew Monument, Mulan

Railway Station Multan The line serves as the main passenger and freight line webbing through Pakistan Multan is connected by rail with all parts of the country and

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[ A D V E N T U R E & AC T I V I T I E S ]

PARAGLIDING

An Adventure Sport of Northern Pakistan Text and photos by Shams Uddin

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T

he Hindukush, Himalayan, and Karakoram mountains are suitable and attractive destinations for paragliding—a recreational and competitive adventure sport—gaining popularity amongst the local youth in northern Pakistan.

Paraglide is a governable parachute used for adventure sports-- pleasure flying, sky diving, powered paragliding, land boarding, kite surfing, cargo-ship, and kite tugging.

It is a green sport that does not use an engine nor consumes fuel to fly but stays airborne for 10 to 15 hours across the ridges, deep valleys, and lofty mountains that produce ideal thermals and have easy take-off and landing spots for paragliders.

Reputed international pilots have set consecutive world records for paragliding in northern Pakistan, which has powerful thermals to lift the pilots from the lowest valleys to the highest mountain peaks. “It’s one thing to climb a mountain and then fly off it,” said Brad Sander, “that’s what Babu Sunuwar, a Nepali paraglider did when he took off from on top of the Everest in 2011. It’s another thing to start from very low and use only the wind currents and pilot skills to fly to the summit. That is what Antoine has done” in Pakistan.

Antoine Girard, a French professional pilot, set a new world record for flying at an extreme altitude of 8,407m, beating the 8,000m mark in high-altitude cross-country paragliding.

He soared the Broad Peak in the Karakoram in a seven-hour flight on Saturday, 23 July 2016.

In an interview with the BBC World Service in Pakistan, he said: “Pakistan is the best place to beat the records.

When I was on take-off, my feeling was not good because the weather forecast was not very good. It was the last day, so we had to try, and we did it. When I beat the record, I thought of nothing, just flying.

It was a perfect moment.”

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The first pilots to introduce paragliding in the mountains of northern Pakistan were climbers or mountaineers in the mid-1980s. They used to paraglide for a quick and safe way down from the peaks. Thus, the climbers were the first paragliders to ascent and descent the greater mountain ranges of northern Pakistan.

The famous French alpinist Jean-Marc Boivin, a pioneer in many sports, was a team member on a French expedition to K2 in 1979. He carried the hang glide while climbing up to 7,600m on the southwest ridge on K2 from where he took off, taking 13 minutes to float back down 2,600m.

In 2004, a trio of French pilots made a groundbreaking multi-day flying expedition in the region. They flew during the day, camped at night, and flew again by the next day through Shimshal (Upper Hunza valley), soaring up and over the 5,090m Boesam Pass. Inspired by this expedition, John flew around Nanga Parbat in 2005, taking a multi-day flight and trek, which he completed in one bright afternoon.

Successful completion of this expedition was no less than a feat. Amidst the flight, he witnessed massive avalanches raking the Diamir Face, pushing turbulent air out in front of them. John flew in closer, both for a better look and to take advantage of any spiraling thermal caused by the avalanche.

By the subsequent year, the French pilots again visited the region. This

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time, Philippe Nodet and Julien Wirtz repeated John’s circumnavigation of Nanga Parbat, before carrying on a 500km flying and camping expedition through “the most intense mountain terrain on the planet”. As their flight progressed, they explored the largest alpine glacier system in the world, crossing the Baltoro Glacier before gliding over the 49 km long Hispar Glacier to the Hispar valley of district Nagar in the Gilgit division. They flew above 7,000m, over the Trango Towers, and eventually made the first crossing from Skardu to Hunza. The flight was immediately heralded as “the greatest hike and flight in the world.”

Leroy Westerkamp, a professional pilot from the Netherlands, set the world’s third highest-flying record at 7,685m. Brad Sander, who called Pakistan home for several years now, holds the record for the second-highest flight at 7,750m. It is worth noting that the top four heights in big mountain paragliding were all achieved in Pakistan.

Foreign and national pilots, who frequently visit the region, say with ideal launching and landing spots, Chitral and Gilgit Baltistan is a paradise for paragliders. With the steady wind, soaring thermals, and gentle slopes in remote and isolated locations, it is the place to ensure the safety of the pilot and wing, making the flight enjoyable simultaneously. But on occasions, the pilots encounter turbulent thermals as they fly over the deep valleys, yawning gorges, and towering peaks of the mountain landscape.

When they find themselves soaring high and high amidst the fresh mountain air, they look down on lush green fields and sweep past icy slopes, longest alpine glaciers,

“There are only a handful of pilots with enough skills to pull it off and of course, those pilots need to be ready and in the right place. A good flight also requires divine intervention, and when it happens, there is no sense of conquering but rather a feeling of wonder and gratitude at being allowed such a flight,” said Brad Sander while sharing his experience.

and towering snow-capped peaks. The topography is so suitable for paragliding that many renowned international pilots have lost their hearts to the region. They are also the ones who made the sport popular with the locals from 2005 onwards.

Brad Sander, an American expert pilot, is one of such frequent foreign visitors to enjoy flying in northern Pakistan.

He has broken several records and set new ones to his credit, including the 224km longest distance (flying) record for paragliding on the Asian continent from Booni, district Upper Chitral to Karimabad of district Hunza. “It wasn’t until I came to Pakistan in May of 2007,” he wrote on his blog, “that I felt the overwhelming urge to combine my love of travel and flight commercially and share the pleasure of the adventure with others.” He also introduced tandem flight on a commercial basis. He motivated the local, national, and international pilots to come paragliding at Shandur in 2014, where it has now become a regular feature at the polo festival since then.

Currently, local youth have shown much interest in learning paragliding. They have established numerous associations to institutionalize and promote free-style paragliding in Lower and Upper Chitral like free-style polo to attract tourists and adventure sports lovers to the region. The local pilots also participate in the national paragliding events and win trophies and cash prizes. The youth from Gilgit-Baltistan have also shown interest in learning the sport from Chitrali paragliders, which indicates the sport is becoming popular in the region.

Those who received training(s) from foreign pilots impart

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regular need-based training to the new learners or aspirant paragliders on a payment basis. Paragliding is a highly technical sports equivalent to mountaineering. Safe takeoff, mid-air control of the wing, and smooth landing require effective skills and practical knowledge about thermals, wind conditions and direction, and the formation of clouds in the sky to ensure the safe flights of amateur pilots.

Only with the required skills and knowledge can a pilot overcome difficulties during flight and conveniently kite over the thermal updrafts or vertical columns of rising air to enjoy the flight.

Birmothlasht (2743m) and the Zani Pass (3840m) are famous launching points in district lower and upper Chitral. From Chitral town, it takes one hour to drive to Birmoghlasht, whereas it takes around two hours to drive from Booni, the headquarters of district Upper Chitral, to Zani pass, in the Mulkhow valley to the west. Paragliders prefer to keep their accommodation in the mentioned towns and drive to the referred launching points. Both places have beautiful and unobstructed landing spots to the appreciation of paragliders.

The government of Pakistan has taken an interest in promoting paragliding as an adventure sport in northern Pakistan by organizing mega-events. The 1st Ever HighAltitude National Paragliding Championship 2021 was

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organized at Qaqlasht, Upper Chitral last year. Over 70 national paragliders from across the country participated.

The first trophy of paragliding went to Mr. Zaheer Uddin Baber of Booni, Teklasht, whereas Mr. Mubarak Shah of Charun Owir stood second in the competition. The victory of the Chitral paragliders shows that the youth here have paragliding skills and they can successfully compete at the national and international levels.

Events like this are considered the major tourism products to attract national and international tourists to northern Pakistan. The efforts of the district administration of Upper Chitral are appreciable for organizing the mega paragliding event at short notice.

About the Writer Mr. Shams Uddin operates tours of both national and foreign tourists across Pakistan, particularly in the north. He has rich experience and knowledge in the field coupled with extensive linkages in northern Pakistan.

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[ T R E A S U R E T R OV E ]

BULHAN

The Incredible Indus River Dolphin

By Aftab Rana Photographs credit: Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan (STFP)

D

olphins and humans have been together for thousands of years. Ancient writings are full of stories about dolphins. They have helped one another at times, and they have even played together. 2500 years ago, the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote about dolphins talking to people. He noticed that dolphins sounded just like humans.

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A 2000-year-old Greek coin shows a man riding a dolphin.

An ancient wall painting found in a palace on the Island of Crete shows swimming dolphins. In ancient myths, dolphins were often mentioned for good luck and for being friendly to humans. They always appeared in the role of helping people.

The Dolphin Kingdom There are 25 different kinds of saltwater dolphins and 4 kinds of freshwater dolphins, freshwater dolphins are only found in a few large rivers in Pakistan, India, China, and South America.

The Indus River Dolphin

The Indus River Dolphin (Platanista minor) is one of the world’s rarest mammals and most endangered cetaceans. Only about 1400 of this unique species exist today in the lower reaches of the Indus River in Pakistan.

Indus Dolphin (Platanista minor) or Bulhan, as it is known locally occurs only in the River Indus. It is ranked as one of the most intelligent living creatures after man. It lived here where it is now, as a sea animal about 70 million years ago. It managed to survive through its adaptations, and structural and functional transformations, the environmental pressures, and successfully changed from a marine to a freshwater habitat. Loss of vision due to living in the turbid and dark environment of Indus has been compensated by an extremely efficient sonar system to locate its path and even minute objects.

It now faces the threat of extinction at the hands of man, for its habitat has been reduced and fragmented due to a reduction in the quantity of water, fish, which is its food, and a constant increase in water toxicity.

What Makes the Indus Dolphin Unique?

The Indus River Dolphin is a very unusual kind of cetacean.

It is thought to have its origin in the ancient Tethys Sea, which disappeared around fifty million years ago. This dolphin adapted to the river habitat. Living in the turbid

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waters of the Indus in which underwater visibility was poor, a sophisticated sonar system known as echolocation gradually developed.

Did you know? The Indus River dolphin is one of the ‘world’s most endangered cetaceans.

It is estimated that there are between 1200 to 1400 blind dolphins remaining in Pakistan. The species is listed as “Endangered” by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The largest population of approximately 700 exists in the Sindh provinces between the Sukkur and Guddu Barrages. Smaller populations of 465 and 96 occur further upstream between Guddu and Taunsa and Taunsa and Chasma Barrages.

Historically the Dolphin existed from the Indus estuary up into the foothills of the Himalayas at Attack. They were also found in all major Indus Tributaries, including upstream in the River Ravi. Since the construction of the Indus irrigation System, the number of dolphins has declined dramatically.

Now they remain only in a short stretch of the main Indus River in small populations, which have been separated by impassable irrigation weirs or barrages across the Indus River. (The dolphin is now mainly confined to the range highlighted on the map).

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The Appearance of the Indus Dolphin:

the rostrum are longer and protruding.

Take a close look at the Picture. When you see the Dolphins in the wild, they emerge momentarily so it is often difficult to see them clearly.

• Rostrum: River dolphins have a much longer rostrum than oceanic dolphins. It can be up to one-fifth of the body length. The female usually has a longer rostrum than the male.

• Colour: Mostly Mid-gray-brown • Eyes: the Indus dolphin is functionally blind and has no lens in its tiny eyes.

• Teeth: adults have between 30 and 36 sharp teeth on each side of the upper and lower jaws. The teeth at the end of

• Length and weight: the average length of an adult is 5 – 8 ½ feet and the weight of an adult is 70 to 90 Kg • Blowhole: dolphins breathe through a blowhole located on the top of their head.

• Neck: the neck is relatively narrow and very flexible which helps the dolphins move in complicated river environments.

• Flippers: Bulhans have very broad flippers which stabilize them at slow speeds in fast-flowing water. Inside the flippers, dolphins have five fingers just like us.

• Life span: Scientists think that these dolphins can live for approximately 20 years.

• Diet: The Indus River dolphin eats crustaceans such as prawns, as well as fish such as gobies, catfish, and carp.

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the Indus River for the Dolphin to live in.

• Drift in Irrigation Canals: sometimes dolphins drift into irrigation canals and become trapped in narrow channels where they die.

• Fish nets: Dolphins sometimes get entangled in fishing nets in the river and drown.

Why is it called the Blind Indus Dolphin?

The Indus Dolphin is functionally blind. However, this is not a disadvantage but an adaption to living in a turbid river environment where eyes are virtually useless.

Instead of eyesight, the dolphin had developed a hightech echolocation or sonar system to “see” and judge its environment. Sound Pulses are emitted into the water through the “melon” or bulge at the front of the dolphin’s head. The Indus River Dolphin can navigate and locate objects using this echolocation system. What remains of its eyes are now no bigger than a Pinprick.

Why is the Indus River Dolphin Endangered?

• Pollution: Chemicals in the Indus River such as pesticides and toxic industrial effluents. These enter the dolphin’s body and reduce their physical fitness making them more prone to illness and reproductive problems.

• Fragmented Habitat: Indus Dolphins have been split into several small populations separated by impassable barrages.

The tiny populations may be too small to be viable and may suffer from inbreeding which can result in reduced fitness or physical deformities.

Where can we see Indus Dolphin?

Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan has started a community-based ecotourism program in the area of Taunsa Barrage on the River Indus in south Punjab. Under this initiative, a local fishermen community social enterprise regularly runs boat safari trips for tourists who are interested in River Indus Dolphin watching.

• Lack of Freshwater: Extensive irrigation schemes mean that during winter months there is very little water left in

About the Author Aftab Rana is a Tourism Development Specialist. He is the President of Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan and a Vice President of Adventure Foundation Pakistan. He is also presently serving as Honorary Managing Director of PTDC. He is also a Fellow of Leadership for Environment and Development.

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[ T R E A S U R E T R OV E ]

The Sweetness of Pakistani Mango

By Rida Hussain

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A

South Asian delicacy, Mango, the king of fruits, is abundantly cultivated in the plains of Sindh and Punjab of Pakistan. One can see the dense mango orchards spread over large hectares along the National Highway on the journey from Karachi to Lahore. Pakistan is among the top 10 producers of mangoes in the world with Chaunsa- the most sought-after variety.

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Besides being a scrumptiously sweet fruit with a tender pulp inside, the fruit is a power pack of nutrients and energy booster. If consumed in the morning, it provides tremendous energy to keep up with the day. Mango helps balance cholesterol level, provides clean skin and strengthen the immune system.

The fruit can be peeled and eaten raw once it is ripe or chopped into desserts and salads, blended to make smoothies, and even used to makes mango lassies. Unripe green mangoes are used to make mango pickles and mixed vegetable pickles.

From drinks to main course meals to desserts, over the years chefs have used the fruit innovatively with other ingredients. Today, mango is used in approximately up to 37 dishes worldwide.

History Mango cultivation dates back to 5000 years ago in the region extending from China to Southeast Asia. International historians claim that the fruit was first introduced to countries like Malaysia and China around the 4th Century BC. Persian traders took the mango to the Middle East and Africa from there the Portuguese brought it to South Africa and Brazil.

Since the mango seeds are large they always depended on humans to be transported. Out of 1595 varieties of mango, only a selected few are grown for commercial purposes.

Mango Diplomacy Meanwhile, Mughals were very fond of this fruit. Memoir and historical records of the Mughal Emperors like the Babur Nama, Ain-e-Akbari, and Tuzuk-e-Jahangiri talks extensively about the mangoes. All the Mughal Emperors had spent

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lavishly on the development of large mango orchards wherever they settled in the sub-continent. Mughals were the patron of Mango diplomacy, still reverently followed by Pakistan to strengthen the relations with other countries through the sweetness of the fruits.

In Pakistan, mango is not only a national fruit but a part of the culture and an important diplomatic emissary, often used for social networking and bonding.

Cultivation The hot and humid plains of Sindh and Punjab with heavy rainfalls, established irrigation system, and the temperature reaching from 20 to 40 degree Celsius are the best places for the cultivation of mangoes.

The sweet and tantalizing taste of the mango neutralizes the effect of sweltering heat in peak summer months of June and July.

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According to an estimate, the fruit is cultivated in the area of 95 thousand hectares in Pakistan. Cities of southern PunjabRahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Multan, and Muzaffargarh are the centers of mango cultivation in Pakistan. Pakistan produces nearly 5% of the world’s production of mango making it the sixth-largest producer of the fruit in the world.

The annual production of mango reaches 1.75 million tons in Pakistan, making it a substantial export commodity.

In Sindh, Mirpur Khas, Hyderabad, and Thatta dominate the cultivation of mango. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar and Mardan constitute for the cultivation of mango. Mango needs higher temperatures of ripe and with summers approaching a month earlier in Sindh, it takes a lead over Punjab in terms of market supply and offering a variety of mangoes.

Sindh produces some of the highly-demanded varieties of mango like Sindhri, Saroli, Dasehra, Sunehra, and smaller quantities of species native to Punjab like Langra, Chaunsa, and Anwar Ratol. Of these, 70% comprises Sindhri which is often called the ‘King of Mangoes’. Sindh contributes 40% of the total mango production in Pakistan.

Punjab produces species of Langra, Anwar Ratol, Chaunsa, and Dussehra available in markets. Langra hit the markets from mid-July to August.

Chaunsa-the leading variety of Mangoes.

More than 200 species of mango are cultivated in Pakistan.

Chaunsa, the most available variety of mangoes, is originally from Rahim Yar Khan and Multan. It is ripened in June-August and is available till September. Chaunsa, exported from Pakistan, is the most-loved variety of mango worldwide. The fruit’s exceptionally rich flavor, aroma, juicy pulp, and nutritive values have given it an advantage over other mango cultivars produced in other Asian countries.

According to an anecdote, the variety of the fruit was made popular by Emperor Sher Shah Suri throughout the

subcontinent. While celebrating his victory over the Mughal emperor at Chausa, he named his favorite variety of mango, Chaunsa.

Sindhri Sindhri, a leading variety from Sindh, is a large oval-shaped fruit and extremely sweet and aromatic. They are cultivated in Mirpur Khas, the seventh-largest city in Sindh. The fruit is sliced into small cubes and consumed with Baisan ki

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Roti (Gram Flour Flatbread) as a daytime meal in traditional Sindh households. The fruit is best suited to be used in making pickles.

Anwar Ratool As per an interesting fact, the fruit was named after Anwarul-Haq, the first man who cultivated the fruit in India’s Uttar Pradesh. The fruit is extensively cultivated in Punjab and is available from July to August.

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Dussehra The mango cultivar can trace its roots back to the orchards of Nawab of Lucknow of 18he century. The fruit with its sour taste is best suited to be used for milkshakes, sauces, and beverages.

[ CUISINE ]

Koki Naan – Surprise your appetite

S

indh has a rich history and cultural heritage. The early civilisations date back to more than 5000 years BC and is the southern province of Pakistan. Sind largely is divided into urban and rural Sindh while rural Sindh is largely desert where temperatures can rise to over 44 degree Celsius during summer.

The Koki bread is a traditional flat bread of the rural Sindh, it is a fantastic traditional Sindhi flatbread eaten in breakfast with a healthier and very interesting perk. Koki is made with whole wheat (gehun ka ata) and besan (bengal grams flour) and is stuffed full of an array or aromatic and wholesome ingredients. It is a popular dish cooked in every Sindhi household and can be a feat to find in a regular Pakistani restaurant.

A undisputed winning point of Sindhi Koki is its rich flavour and amazing texture. However, every Sindhi household has its own slight variant of this versatile Koki and the use of ingredients might differ based on subjective preference.

Using flour as a base, onions, green chilies, carom seeds, ghee, coriander leaves, methi form the main ingredients of this recipe. Also, dried pomegranate seeds prove to be a special addition to this recipe as it adds a unique oomph to

the thick and crispy Koki.

The ultimate dream Koki is crispy, soft, chewy, and thick all at the same time and therefore you might need to try your recipe for a couple of times to beat the odds.

It can also be used as a meal with any vegetarian or nonvegetarian side dish. You can also carry Koki during trips and tours as main meal or snack as it remains fresh for a good 24 hours or more.

Traditionally, the Sindhis carry a travel koki version on their journeys as well as it keeps well for up to a week or more if kept in an airtight container. This special Koki is made without any wet vegetable using dry spices like black pepper to perk up the flavour.

Koki is one of the traditional deep-rooted foods that that has survived the changing times hinging on its adaptability and manifold health benefits. The base ingredient is whole wheat, excellent for diabetics as it does not increase blood sugar quickly being a low GI food. Onions and green chillis are a great treasure of immune building antioxidants, Vitamin C, Folate B9, B6 and potassium which is great for lowering blood pressure as well. The herbs and spices used

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in it like Fenugreek leaves and turmeric, are the storehouse of many phytonutrients that have health promotional and disease prevention properties. In case you are watching those inches around your waist, ghee can be easily cut down to make a perfect low-fat meal.

Food Allergies We advise do check full ingredients for any allergies before you enjoy the Koki flat bread.

Try a Koki at Home To make Sindhi Koki, combine all the ingredients in a deep bowl and knead into a stiff dough using water. Divide the dough into balls and roll out in disc shapes. Heat a non-stick girdle pan, grease it with ghee and cook each disc od slow flame using ghee until its crisp on the outside and cooked through inside.

Serve with curd, achaar or any side dish of your choice.

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[ CUISINE ]

Summer Drinks of Pakistan

By Uzma Khateeb Nawaz

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Falooda made with Qulfa Ice Cream, cold milk, jelly, ice and syrups to enhance the flavors

Sattu drink

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S

ummers in Pakistan is an enjoyable time for many; rain, sunny afternoons and chilled drinks to beat the heat. During this season, some of the traditional drinks takes center-stage and consumed to the hilt.

These drinks have plenty of health benefits compared to the fizzy drinks. Equally popular among old and young, some of the traditional drinks are served on special occasions too including weddings, Eid and parties.

to make in which you only have to mix roasted gram flour in cold water, add sugar and mix it with a spoon. There is, however, a small trick to drink it. Due to its weight, sattu will sit at the bottom of the glass if not continuously stirred so you will need to use a spoon to take care of it. Sattu is largely consumed in rural areas and is fast becoming a popular summer drink.

So, next time you get to enjoy summer season in Pakistan, try out these delicious drinks.

Lassi

Sattu Sherbat Made from roasted grams, sattu is a flour-like powder commonly available in Punjab and can also be found in other provinces. It has been a summer drink since ancient times but today it has come under the spotlight because of its health benefits. It is probably one of the easiest drinks

The history of buttermilk, commonly known as lassi in Pakistan, is as old as the history of milk. Made from yogurt, which is made from milk, lassi can be consumed by adding either sugar or salt depending on the preferred taste.

Mostly consumed at the breakfast time during summers, there are many variations of this traditional drink including mango lassi or date lassi. Equally popular among adults and children, Lassi is often paired with parathas.

Traditional Lassi in brass glass

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Shikanjabeen Commonly known as ‘limbo pani’, this lemon juice drink is hot favourite during summers. Addition of sugar, salt, black pepper makes this chilled drink a must. It is readily sold on roadside carts, especially in Lahore where a throng of people can be seen sipping this drink with delight. Topped with crushed ice, limbo pani is equally popular among young and old. Another recent trendy version of limbo pani is mint lemonade which is also served at cafes.

Sugar cane juice Available all around street stalls, Ganne ka ras is popularly known as the national roadside drink of Pakistan. Freshly pressed from raw sugarcane, through a mill machine, this drink has a fresh invigorating taste that satisfies the summer thirst. Infused with a blend of black rock salt, ginger and

lemon, this sweet splash can be spiced up for a bolder taste.

Sugar cane juice does not require any addition of sugar and can be enjoyed on a hot sunny day.

Falsa Sherbet Falsa is a small dark purple coloured berry fruit, which grows in Pakistan, readily available during summers. Neither too sweet nor tangy, its juice has a taste beyond description.

Falsa sherbet is prepared by soaking these small berries in water with sugar and blending the pulp to get a richly infused flavour. Its fresh flavours are garnished with mint leaves and a sprinkle of black salt and sugar. With its medicinal uses, it is often advised for asthma and chest infections. Given this advantage, it can do well for the respiratory system. These tiny fruits host to relieve heat conditions, reduce colds and coughs. Equally important, falsa is rich in Vitamin C and low in sodium and fat. Packed with nutritional values, you

The Falsa berry fruit used to make Falsa juice

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Awaken your taste buds with famous Aaloo Bukhara (yello dried plum) drink

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Awaken your taste buds with famous Aaloo Bukhara (yello dried plum) drink

will enjoy falsa juice to the very last drop! With no bitter aftertaste, it’s a must try on your visit to Pakistan.

Aam Panna Aam Panna is a drink renowned for its cooling properties. It is made from unripe mangoes and is yellow to light green in colour, and is consumed to fight against the intense summer heat. Mint leaves are often added to the drink, enhancing its green color.

Aam panna is prepared using raw mangoes, cumin, and an assortment of other spices. It quenches thirst and prevents the excessive loss of sodium chloride during summer. The drink is mainly consumed in the desert and dry areas of Pakistan.

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Freshly squeezed Sugar cane juice

Coconut Water The natural sweet water of coconut is often enjoyed during summers in its natural flavor without adding anything. The rock-hard coconut is grilled at the top to pierce a hole. The water inside can then be enjoyed.

Thadal Thadal is a cooling and energizing drink, mostly consumed in Sindh. It is an energizing drink prepared by using ground dry fruits, almonds and pepper along with cardamom, sugar, milk, watermelon seeds, fennel, poppy seeds and fresh rose petals. This drink makes the body so cool that a pinch of black pepper is added to balance it out. When prepared, it looks like a milky, creamy drink.

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