Visiting Places of world

Tuesday 30 June 2015

Bagh-e-Ibn-e-Qasim

Bagh-e-Ibn-e-Qasim (Also spelled as Bagh i Ibn i Qasim or Bagh-i-Ibn-i-Qasim)

Source : (google.com.pk/wikipedia)

Bagh Ibne Qasim ( meaning Garden of the son of Qasim) is a park in Karachi, Pakistan.Named after The great muslim conquerer Muhammed Bin qasim.
The park is located in located in the suburb of Clifton and is Karachi's largest urban park, covering 130 acres (0.53 km2) and visited by over 10 million people each year. The park has a turtle pond, murals of dinosaurs, 24 washrooms, 20 stone canopies and thousands of roses. It overlooks the 90 meter Port Fountain of Karachi Port Trust (KPT). The park's name commemorates the 8th century Arab conqueror, Muhammad Bin Qasim of the Ummayad empire.
Events that have taken place in the park include the Sindh Festival 2014.
The park was ceremonially opened by then President Pervez Musharraf on February 27, 2007. It was created by the Clifton Beach Development Project on the location of the former Toyland Theme Park at a cost of PKR 600 million.

Bagh Ibne Qasim at night

Bagh Ibne Qasim

Bagh Ibne Qasim at Night

Bagh Ibne Qasim

Monday 29 June 2015

Naran, Kaghan Valley

Naran, Kaghan Valley
Naran is located in Pakistan Coordinates: 34°54′22″N 73°38′58″ECoordinates: 34°54′22″N 73°38′58″E
Country : Pakistan
Province : Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
District : Mansehra
Elevation : 2,500 m (8,200 ft)
Naran is a medium sized town in upper Kaghan Valley in Mansehra District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of the Pakistan. It is located 119 kilometers (74 mi) from Mansehra city at the altitude of 8,202 feet (2,500 m).
Naran is one of the most scenic town in Pakistan, attracting thousands of tourists, trekkers, photographers and nature-enthusiast, every year. The Kunhar River, swollen by glacier melt, passes through this town as it meanders its way through the valley.
Kunhar river in Naran during the month of June as viewed from PTDC motel
Naran can be considered as base station to scenic destinations like Lake Saif-ul-Malook, Lalazar Babusar, Noori Valley and Purbi Valley.

Accommodation
Naran has more than 100 hotels of various types ranging from high-end luxury hotels to very low priced motels. Tent motels are also present which rent family size tents to tourists to stay in. Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) also has a motel[2] situated in the north of town which can accommodate people on different tariffs, from average rooms to costly huts besides the River Kunhar. A market also exists there where all basic necessities of life are available.
Transportation

Naran is connected by Naran road from Mansehra. In the tourist season (1 June to 31 August) public transport runs daily between Mansehr In winter the road which leads to Naran is blocked due to heavy snowfall and it is very difficult to reach there.
Weather
In Naran, the climate is warm and temperate. There is significant rainfall throughout the year in Naran. Even the driest month still has a lot of rainfall. The average annual temperature in Naran is 10.1 °C. The region is Alpine in geography and climate, with forests and meadows dominating the landscape below peaks that reach over 17,000 feet. Following is the weather history of Naran.

Hiking, trekking, and off-roading
Lake Saif-ul-Maluk
Naran to Lake Saif Ul Malook dusty jeep track is approximately 9 km in length with hiking tracks difficulty level ranging from easy to medium. It can be traveled by jeep in one Hour. Net elevation gain is around 700m.

Lalazar Naran Kaghan

Ansu Lake
Ansu is tear shaped high-altitude lake situated adjacent to Malika Parbat. It can be reached via 11 km trail starting at Saif-ul-Malook. This trail can be divided in two steps. a) 7 km walk from till base of Malika Parbat. b) 4 km hike up the mountain with net elevation around 1000m. It can be traveled by Trekking in 4-5 Hour. Lake remains accessible from early June till late November, with deteriorating weather making it difficult at start and end of season.
Lalazar
Lalazar is a plateau once known for beautiful wild flowers and soothing pine forests. Though recently cultivation of potato and other corps declined the natural beauty, but still enchanting view of Malika Parbat and lush meadows make it a must visit. Lalazar can be reached through a muddy jeep track of 01 hour starting from Battakundi. Some people prefer trekking over riding the jeep. One famous, moderate trek starting from Lake Saif-ul-Malook through picturesque Hans Gali ends at Lalazar.
Other Tracks (Originating/Ending in Naran Valley):-
- Balakot (Gate of Kaghan Valley)
- Noori Top
- Dudipatsar Lake (Queens of The Lakes)
- Saral Lake
- Fairy Land [Place Discovered in 2014 by Shahzada Naveed]
- Battakundi
- Ratti-Gali Lake (Lake is in AJK)
- Sat-sar Mala Lakes (6 Lakes in One Place)
- Gitidas
- Gattian Lake (Lake is in AJK)
- Jalkhad (Mindblowing Place)
- Lulusar Lake
- Sarkatha lake (Lake is in Kohistan) [Lake Discovered in 2013 by Shahzada Naveed]
- Saif-ul-Malook II [Lake Discovered in 2013 by Shahzada Naveed]
- Sangal Lake [Lake Discovered in 2013 by Shahzada Naveed]
- Katha-sar Lake (Lake is in Kohistan)
- Ghazi Sar (Awesome Place)
- Maheen Lake (Lake is in Kohistan)
- Babusar Top (End of The Kaghan Valley)

PAF Museum Karachi

PAF Museum Karachi

Source : (google.com.pk/wikipedia)

PAF Museum, Karachi is an Air Force museum and park situated near Karsaz Flyover on Shahra-e-Faisal in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
A majority of the aircraft, weapons and radar are displayed outside in the park but the main museum features all major fighter aircraft that have been used by the Pakistan Air Force. The museum also houses the Vickers VC.1 Viking used by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan and a Folland Gnat of Indian Air Force, that landed in Pasrur in 1965 war. Also on display are the scale models of some WWI, WWII and modern aircraft and photo galleries of almost all the squadrons of PAF,
History
The museum was established in 1990 in two disused hangars in a remote part of the Base. The museum was expanded significantly from its humble beginnings in the period 1999 - 2004, additions include children playing areas, rides, and eateries.
Management
The museum is managed by a committee headed by the Air Officer Commanding Southern Air Command, however it is managed and run by the Deputy Chairman. Recently the Museum has been renamed as Historical Archives Section and given additional responsibilities for maintaining some documented history of the PAF. The Current Director / Deputy Chairman of the Museum is Gp Capt Usman Ghani.
Some of the aircraft that are preserved in the museum are:

Martin B-57 Canberra

De Havilland Tiger Moth

North American Harvard

Lockheed F-104 Starfighter

North American F-86 Sabre

Dassault Mirage 5

Shenyang F-6

Lockheed T-33

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15

Auster Autocar

Antonov An-26

Antonov An-12

A-26 Invader

U-9 Aero Commander

Vickers Viking

Folland Gnat

Kaman HH-43 Huskie

Besides those from PAF inventory, visitors can see the captured Folland Gnat of Indian Air Force and Afghan Air Force Mig 21 and Iraq Air Force, Antonov An-12.

Jehlam Vally

Jehlam Vally (Kashmir)

Source : (google.com.pk/wikipedia)

Jhelum Valley is a valley in Hattian Bala District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is a 50 kilometers (31 mi) long valley located along with Jhelum river surrounded by lush green mountains. Hattian Bala is the main town and district headquartered in the valley.The valley is connected by a metallic road from Muzaffarabad.
Hotels and rest houses with basic facilities are located in towns and villages in valley. Health facilities, education institutes, post offices, and land line phone service are also available.
This is an ideal valley for both the domestic and international tourists.
Jehlam River
The curling river Jhelum Jhelum es through from East to West between the high green mountains of this valley and joins the river Neelum at Domel near Muzaffarabad city.

Road Route
A 59 Km long metalled road runs along the river Jhelum from Muzaffarabad to Chokothi, which is located adjacent to line of control (LoC). Buses & wagons ply on this route regularly.Some poplar tourist attractions are

Road Route to Jehlam Vally (Kashmir)

Ghari Dopatta:
It is 24 kilometers from Muzaffarabad. The town surrounded by mountains is located on both sides of river Jhelum . Educational, medical, telephone, accommodation and shopping facilities are available here. AJK Government has established here an "Extension Services Management Academy (ESMA)", which provides training facilities of international level.

Chakothi:
Chokothi, 8 Kms ahead of Chinari, is a border village. Only domestic tourists can visit this area.

Loon Bagla:
10 Kms from Chikkar, situated at an altitude of 2011 meters above sea level, it is another worth seen hill station in the middle of dense green pine forests and is linked by a fair weather road. The ordinary requirements of life are available in the small bazaar.

Dungian:
It is located about 5 Kms ahead of Loon Bagla. This place is surrounded by thick silver Fir forests. Its high altitude of 2071 meters and beautiful landscape have a special attraction for tourists. An experimental station for the proliferation of medicinal Herbs has also been established at this place.

Danna:
Amidst Muzaffarabad to Kohala, a road bifurcates the highway and leads to Danna, crossing the labyrinthine roads. Dann is known for its healthy climate and alluring scenic beauty. A tourist rest house is available for accommodation. From here one can go to Dheerkot, a known hill station in District Bagh.

Leepa Valley:
This is the most fascinating & loveliest valley in Azad Kashmir. A metalled road branches off for Leepa from Naily, 45 kilometers from Muzaffarabad, climbs over the Reshian Gali 3200 meters high and then descends to 1677 meters on the other side into the Leepa Valley. It spell bounds everyone who visits this valley. The valley remains open for domestic tourists only from May to November. A few places of tourist interest in this valley are:
Leepa:
Leepa is a small village about 60 kilometers from Naily and 38 kilometers from Reshian, at an altitude of 1921 meters. Its lush green rice fields in summer and typical wooden Kashmiri houses present a wonderful view to the people visiting the area. Walnut, Apple, Cherry and honey of Leepa are very popular and in great demand.

Dao - Khan:
Dao - Khan is situated some 75 kilometers from Muzaffarabad. An unpaved but well maintained road branches off from Reshian to Dao- Khan (4 kilometers from Reshian), which is now well recognized due to its high altitude (2490 meters), calm & peaceful atmosphere, excellent scenic beauty and panoramic views. Accommodation facilities through Tourist Rest House and Forest Rest House are available. Owing to flow of visitors/ tourists in the summer season, AJK Tourism Dept. also provides tent service for accommodation.

Chananian:
Chananian, 62 kilometers from Naily & 36 kilometers from Reshian, is situated opposite to Leepa, near the Line of Control (LOC), at an altitude of 2226 meters. Surrounded by thick pine forests and nullah Qazi Naag flowing near by it, Chananian is also a worth seeing place in Leepa Valley . From Reshian onwards, one has to hire jeeps for journey to Leepa and other places.

Chikar:
The hill station of Chikar, 43 km from Muzaffarabad has grown into a fairly large township. Three miles from Chikar is the hill station known as Loonbagla which is situated in the middle of a vast range of densely grown forests. This beautiful summer station at a distance of 46 Kms from Muzaffarabad is situated on top of the mountain on the southern side of Muzaffarabad. A road branches off at Dhanni Baqallan, a place about 33 kilometers from Muzaffarabad and leads to Chikkar, which is at an elevation of 1828 meters. The outstanding features of this beautiful place are its healthy climate and picturesque surroundings. Standing over the hill one can have a fascinating view of the sub- valleys. A Bazaar, hospital, educational institutions, post office, banks, telephone etc provide basic necessities of life to the locals as well as to the visitors.
The outstanding features of this hill station are its healthy climate and picturesque surroundings.
Chikar is linked with Muzaffarabad by a motorable road and is connected with Bagh in Poonch district via Sudhan Gali.

Chinary:
Chinary situated some 64 km from Muzaffarabad is a scenic place with a very enchanting Rest House built by the former Dogra rulers. It lies just some twenty yards upward in the Bazaar. All the basic facilities viz. Bazaar, hospital, education, post office, banks, telephone are available here.
The city has a Telephone Exchange, and a dispensary. It is famous for its fruits such as apples, apricots, walnuts and honey.

Chinary Jehlam Vally (Kashmir)

Sunday 28 June 2015

Rawala Kot

Rawala Kot

source : (google.com.pk/wikipedia)

Rawalakot is a town in Pakistan Administered Azad Kashmir, and is the district headquarters of Poonch Division and Poonch District.
Location
Rawalakot is located at Latitude 33°51'32.18"N, Longitude 73° 45'34.93"E and an Elevation of 5374 feet. Rawalakot is approximately 76 kilometres (47 mi) from Kohala, and about 120 km (75 mi) from the city of Rawalpindi. It is linked with Rawalpindi and Islamabad via Goyain Nala and Tain roads. Via Kotli Satiyan and Kahuta.It is also linked with Rawalpindi via Sudhnuti.

A view of Mong Road, Rawalakot

A view of city from height

Transport
Travel routes
Construction of the Ghazi-i-Millat road (also known as Guoien Nulla road ) between Rawalakot and Azad Pattan has considerably reduced travel times, it is main road which is connecting Islamabad/Rawalpindi with Rawalakot city. A bus across the LOC, the Poonch-Rawalakot bus has helped to re-establish ties across the border.

Ghazi-i-Millat road

Road links
The road passing through Jalooth-Paniola connects Rawalakot to Bagh and Muzaffarabad. The other road that passes through Mohri Farman Shah, Shuja Abad is the shortest possible road link that connects Rawalakot city with Bagh. Murree, Islamabad and Rawalpindi are in a southward direction from Rawalakot. The town has another road link with Kotli.
Rawalakot Airport is non-operational, as there is no demand for the air service provided by Pakistan International Airlines. The airport has been closed since 1998.
Climate
Rawalakot features a subtropical highland climate (Cwa) under the Köppen climate classification due to high altitude. Rawalakot has mild to warm temperatures during the spring and autumn, humid temperatures during summer and cold to snowy during the winter. The temperature can rise as high as 38 °C (100 °F) during the mid-summer months and drop below −3 °C (27 °F) during the winter months. Snowfall can occur in December and January, while most rainfall occurs during the monsoon season stretching from July to September.
Economy
Subsistence level farming for corn and wheat is conducted in and around Rawalakot. Some level of vegetable farming including tomatoes and Spinach are grown as well. The largest industry for Rawalakot is the harvesting of Poplar trees, which are harvested and transported to Pakistan for manufacture of sporting goods.

Wheat Crop at Rawalakot.

Tomatto Crop at Rawalakot.

Government employment is a major sector for employment, however, a large section of the population is dependent upon remittances from over seas workers who send money to their relative in Azad Kashmir.
Due to lack of opportunity, most citizens of Poonch, including Rawalakot are looking for ways to get employment in other countries. Moreover, it is not uncommon for qualified youth from the city to find employment in larger cities like Rawalpindi/Islamabad and Peshawar.
Demography
Rawalakot and its surrounding areas have a population of over 500,000. Its population includes overwhelming majority of SADOZAI Sudhans, And Awans And then Rajpoot (Bhatti)'s Khawajgan (Mir,Butt), , Abbasis, Kianis, Sheikh's, Syeds Gardezis,MUGHAL (Douli,Mirza, Maldial, Baig,chughtai & Hotil or HOTI largest Mughal tribe in BANGUIN , Dar and many others. There is also a significant number of people from other regions who live in Rawalakot for sake of employment in the government sector.
Rawalakot-Poonch Trade Route & Bus Service
Pakistan and India agreed to facilitate travel between the two parts of disputed Jammu and Kashmir by providing entry permits to divided Kashmiri families to travel across the Line of Control (LOC). Thousands of divided families are living on either side of the LOC since 1948 after a cease fire line was drawn which divides Kashmir between Azad Kashmir and Indian Kashmir. The cease fire line was turned into the Line of Control (LOC) after the Simla Agreement between India and Pakistan in 1972. Both countries started bus services between the two Kashmirs in April 2005 for families to reunite and truck service in October 2008, for businesses to flourish. The Poonch-Rawalakot bus service was started on 20 June 2006 through Tatrinote and Chakan Da Bagh point. A total of 87 persons on first day crossed the Chakan Da Bagh point on foot after coming on board the two buses on either side.
Communications
Two privately owned cable television systems are available in Rawalakot, which carry Pakistani and international television programs. In addition, A local FM radio station named Voice of Kashmir FM 105 is also functioning in the area. This radio station is part of a network of three radio channels. The other two channels are VOK FM 105.6 (Bagh) and VOK FM 105.4 (Muzaffarabad). Cell phone services are also available in this region. They include major cell phone operators: Zong, Mobilink, Ufone, Warid Pakistan, Telenor and SCOM. PTCL Wireless telephone service is also available here. SCO-the local phone company is operated by This telecom provider is responsible to provide landline telephone network with minority shares of other operators. All major mobile phone companies operating in Pakistan provide service in Rawalakot. Broadband internet access is available from DSL. WiFi hotspots are also available to a very limited areas that include some parts of Rawalakot city, Dehra & Kharick.
2005 Kashmir earthquake
2005 earthquake relief in Rawalakot. Cuban Field Hospital.
On Saturday, October 8, 2005 a 7.6 magnitude earthquake killed 73,338 people and left up to three million homeless in Pakistan, including Azad Kashmir. The city of Rawalakot, the capital of the Poonch, suffered significant damage from the 2005 Kashmir earthquake; although most of the buildings were left standing, many of them were rendered uninhabitable, and some of the population was left homeless. Most of the buildings have been reconstructed.

Education
In addition to the Agriculture University of Azad Kashmir, Rawalakot has a medical school ; Poonch Medical College, a Government College for men and women, numerous higher secondary schools/high schools, and a number of private schools. During the earthquake of October 8, 2005, many degree colleges were badly damaged. Most have been rebuilt so for.

Poonch Medical College Rawalakot

Rawalakot Turkey College for Girls
The Rawalakot Turkey College for Girls has been established in Rawalakot to replace the Post-Graduate College for Girls, located at Kharick, which faced severe destruction in the October 2005 earthquake.
Through a joint organization of IHLAS Media Holding of Germany and DITIB (Religious Affairs of Turkish Islamic Union Germany), the Government of Turkey took on the task for the construction of Rawalakot Post-Graduate Girls College with the Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Authority. The reconstruction effort was later joined by the Turkish Islamic Union of Netherlands, which participated through donations of Basic Health Unit facilities to the said school.
The design, construction, decoration and landscaping of the school have been carried out by Turcon Private Limited. A geological survey of the land led to the decision of construction limited to two floors. In a campus-wise set-up, all the buildings have been scattered in a 240,000-square-foot (22,000 m2) area. The educational facilities include 30 classrooms, five laboratories, a gymnasium, hostel, lodging for teachers, principal’s house, BHU, mosque, multipurpose hall, and an administration block. A total of 14 buildings exceeding a covered area of 60,000 square feet (5,600 m2) have been built for the school. Basic amenities such as computers, television sets, music system, sofa sets, beds, mattresses and blankets for teachers and students have been arranged for with the help of donors. Thousands of trees and flowers have also been planted for landscaping.
Construction was done using conventional methods. Both ends of the buildings have been strengthened through shear walls, providing an earthquake-proof structure to ensure safety of the children. The materials used in construction are the same as in the developed countries.
Lightweight insulated shingle roof material has been imported and used for the first time in Pakistan for added comfort. Well-insulated U-PVC type windows have also been used.

Rawalakot Turkey College for Girls

Culture
Rawalakot has no theatres; however, the university does have some cultural events.
Media
Daily Dharti Rawalakot is an Urdu language news paper published from Rawalakot.[Monthly Join Hands] is also published from Rawalakot. Daily newspapers from Pakistan are available in English as well as Urdu. Voice of[6] Kashmir FM 105 Rawalakot. Icon Network Cable Television and Satellite Television Service is widely available. Parhari writers include Muhammad Sagheer Khan, Liaqet Laiq and Hameed Kamran. a Pakistani TV drama director Nadeem Siddique and Sheeraz Kashmiri Author and Journalist also belongs to Rawalakot
Tourism
Banjosa and Toli pir two popular tourism destination in Azad Kashmir are in this .
Toli pir Rawalakot
Toli Pir is basically a hilltop locale located in Tehsil Rawalakot in the Poonch District of Azad Kashmir. It is situated at an elevation of about 8800 feet above sea level. It is approximately 40 kilometers, or a 45 minute drive, from Rawalakot in Azad Kashmir. One can view Abbaspur, Bagh and Poonch River from Toli Pir.
Toli Pir is the highest mountainous location in the northeastern part of Rawalakot, it is the spot of origin of three diverse mountain ridges. The tourist rest house on the way to Toli Pir is also located in a picturesque site. There are some remains of an aged tomb on the top.

Banjosa Lake is located near Rawalakot in Azad Kashmir. An artificial lake at an altitude of 1981 meters, a manmade land because of its beautiful and amazing views and fabulous garden, is very famous tourist spot with lively trees and colorful flowers. Facilitated with swings and slides the spot is an attraction for kids as well. Banjosa Lake is surrounded by mountains and lush green garden abundant with flowers and trees, this is a very beautiful small lake.

Banjosa Lake Toli pir Rawalakot

Toli pir Rawalakot

Lodges
government-owned and private guest houses, and hotels are available in different parts of Rawalakot. Attractions include: mountain-based adventure tourism, rock climbing, mountaineering, trekking, summer camping and hiking, water-based adventure tourism, and paragliding.