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Indus, the Lion River

 If there was no Indus river, there would not have no people living in this part of the world. Originating from the glacial Tibetan mountains, the Indus gushes in to Pakistan with all its might and fright from the northern areas. Near Attock, the River Kabul also joins this ferocious river and one can vividly see the blue Kabul River merging with the muddy Indus while standing on the bridge over Indus at Attock. Both join hands together and irrigate the entire length of Pakistan, approximately 2,900 km (1,800 mi), till it steadily calms down and fades away in the Arabia Sea. 


Besides Indus, four other rivers also enter Pakistan from the neighbouring India, namely the Jhelub, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej and all empty into the Indus to add to its might and power. The place where all these four rivers meet the Indus is known as "Panj Nadh (meaning in local language Five Rivers) south of the famous ancient city of Multan.

Having almost lost its impetus near the Arabia Sea, it fans out and forms the Indus Delta. Here the forests of mangroves and many a species of birds and fish flourish on the sweet waters of the Indus. The total area of the deltas that includes swamps and mangroves is approximately 225,000 hectares (556,000 acres). The port city of Karachi and marches of Ran of Kutch shoulder this delta during its final stages of journeyCities that Indus Passes 

By: The Indus skirts and passes by the famous Attock, Bannu, Faisalabad, Multan, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Nawabshah, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad  and finally embracing the Arabian Sea near the port city of Karachi (above).

 Satellite view of river Indus.

MURREE The Malka-e-Kohsar (Queen of Mountains)

From Karachi upwards, ask anyone where Murree is, and most would be telling you how they enjoyed their last trip to this hill resort located at an hour's journey from Rawalpindi. At an altitude of 2286 meters (7,500 feet) above sea-level, Murree is surrounded by lofty green pine trees. It is one of the most popular summer resorts in Pakistan, but is equally visited during winters when the entire area is snow clad. Murree and its surrounding gallies are abound in hill resorts, offer horse riding, and chair lifts in Ayubia and recently added at Patriata. The golf course at Bhurban is not only fascinating but promises a heavenly game for the golfers.




Murree selected as a Hill Station in 1850 by the British, since their troops could not bear the hot and rather dry climate of nearby garrisons. Thereafter it kept expanding but till independence of Pakistan in 1947, the natives were not allowed to roam around freely in the area, specially the Mall Road, which was "out of bounds" for them. Murree also served as the summer headquarters of the Punjab till 1876, when it was moved to Simla, now in Indian held Kashmir.


After independence, Murree has become the most visited and thriving summer tourist resort for entire Pakistan. The recently widened road takes about 45 minutes from the capital city Islamabad drawing attention of the tourists to the forest clad mountains, mainly of pines. every summer, people from rather hot areas of Pakistan, specially Lahore and down south rush to Murree for a few comfortable days. In winters, the snow clad Murree once again sees the hustle and bustle of visitors. The life line of people of Murree is the summer season since no other business thrives or means of livelihood available. Poor but hospitable, they greet the visitors with welcome smiles, but no compromise on prices.


But by far the best visited area is the Mall Road (above) - established during the 1850's. Today the road side is full of gift shops selling local furs, canes and other handicrafts. An underground market near the old church is famous for imported ladies cloth and dry fruit. Besides, there are many hotels and restaurants that offer sizzling chicken and meat dishes. However, during the season, specially the summers, the prices soar but people still flock these places after walking up and down the Mall road.

Murree is at its best in summers and  winters, but for those who want to enjoy the silence and coolness of the area, perhaps November is the best. Murree has a number of spots, called the Kashmir & Pindi points, since these face in the direction of Kashmir and Rawalpindi. Recently, chair lifts have been added from main Rawalpindi-Murree Road to the Pindi Poin

Kallar Kahar

 Kallar Kahar is situated in a beautiful valley in the southern hilly area of Potohar plateau in the salt range of Pakistan. No one knows the origin of this town, but in some books mention of Kalda-kahar is made, which seems to have become Kallar Kahar. The town is famous on four accounts; for one, it was here that when the first Mogul emperor of India, Zaheer ud Din Babar broke his journey from Afghanistan to Delhi and laid his first Mogul garden atop Kallar Kahar hills over looking the picturesque Kallar Kahar Lake, secondly the salt water lake located in the foothills dates back to millions of years when the Thysis Ocean rolled back, leaving behind its water bodies and mountain springs and thirdly the shrine of Skahi Sultan Bahu and lastly the peacocks.

Kallar Kahar came to limelight somewhere around 1510 AD,  when Zaheer ud Din Babar,  came and rested in this area. Overawed by the scenic beauty of the area, the sight of wheat fields far and wide and the stretch of lake water in the foothills, he immediately ordered the plantation of a garden and named Bagh-e-Safa, a Persian word meaning "the clean garden" for the pollution free air and lush green landscape. As for himself to sit at a vantage point and enjoy the area, a large single stone, carved out sitting place known as Takht-e-Babri, throne of Babar was built which is still present. The throne was also used to address the notables of the area and to deliver ‘order of the day’ to the troops. Although the once beautiful royal garden is in bad shape of neglect these days. However, some fruits farms of apricot and loquat are still present around the lake. Rose farming and extracting rose-water is also a centuries old industry found here.

The Kallar Kahar lake is identified as one of the 17 wetlands of the Punjab province and is spread over an area of six to seven miles. Although the lake is fed by fresh water spring at the base of hills, its water is salty due to the presence of salt rocks in the area. It is an ideal place for the bird watchers since it is home to the thousands of the Siberian migratory birds and a natural breeding sanctuary for many birds. This spring water fills the lake up to a level and then overflows and makes a stream towards the north. The lake is not deep, so a lot of natural vegetation can be seen all around it and even in the middle.

Wild peacocks can be seen wandering around the area. Now and then their particular sound can be heard clearly. They can be best watched near the tomb of saint Sakhi Sultan Bahu at the top of the hill at dawn and sunset because caretakers of the tomb feed them at that time. The wild peacocks owe their existence due to the fact that local people believe that these birds have some relation to the spiritual figure buried here, so harming them will bring harm to them. However, the building of the motorway has cleared off thick vegetation of the area, restricting the freedom of the peacocks whose number is now fast diminishing.

Recently, recreation and picnic spots and small amusement parks have been added near the lake, which environmentalists believe are spoiling the natural beauty of the area. TDCP has also built a  motel for catering and lodging of tourists at reasonable rates. Small pedal boats and specially designed motorboats are available in this shallow lake. Fishing is also popular over here. A museum of fossils of the area has also been built by the Archeology Department in the District Council Rest House.

Kallar Kahar can be approached from Islamabad by Motorway at a distance of about 100 kilometres to the south and from Chakwal, it is about 30kms to the south-west on Chakwal - Sargodha road.

Kaghan and Naran Valleys

A holiday in the Kaghan Valley, the Himalayan hide-away, north-east of the Hazara district of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, is an unforgettable experience. Its mountains, dales, lakes, water-falls, streams and glaciers are still in unbelievable pristine state, and unspoiled paradise. That is why it can be such a deeply satisfying experience to spend a few days in Kaghan

Locations The Valley extends for 155 kms rising from an elevation of 2,134 metres to its highest point, the Babusar Pass, at 4,173 metres. Kaghan is at its best in the summer months (May to September). In May the temperature is: maximum 11 C and the minimum 3 C. From the middle of July up to the end of September, the road beyond Naran, snow-bound throughout the winter, is open right up to Babusar Pass. The Kaghan Valley is accessible by road from Rawalpindi/Islamabad and Peshawar. You can drive in your own or a rented car, taxi, station-wagon or bus to Abbottabad which is 122 kms. from Rawalpindi and 217 kms. from Peshawar. Abbottabad is a charming town spread out over several low, refreshingly green hills.

TOURIST PARADISE (NORTHERN AREAS)

Northern Areas of Pakistan, spread over 72,496 sq. km are as fascinating as its southern region. Amidst towering snow-clad peaks with heights varying from 1,000 m to 8,000 meters, the regions of Gilgit, Hunza, Baltistan and Shangri-La. The cultural patterns of these regions are as interesting as its geography. The people with typical costumes, folk dances, music and sports like polo and buzkashi, provide the traveller an unforgettable experience. Out of 14 over 8,000 meters high peaks on earth, 4 occupy an amphitheater at the head of Baltoro glacier in the Karakoram range in Northern Pakistan.

These are; K-2 or Mount Godowin Austin (8,611 m, world's second highest), Gasherbrum-I (8,068 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m) and Gasherbrum-II (8,035 m). There is yet another which is equally great, Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), located at the western most end of the Himalayas. In addition to these mountains, there are 68 peaks over 7,000 m and hundreds others of over 6,000 meters. The Northern Pakistan has some of the longest glaciers outside Polar region; Siachen (72 km), Hispar (61 km), Biafo (60 km), Baltoro (60 km) and Batura (64 km)