Concordians

2010-05-31T10:56:00.000-07:00

2010-05-24T09:50:00.001-07:00

2010-05-17T06:23:00.000-07:00

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2010-04-29T04:02:00.000-07:00

sialkot birds

2010-03-31T01:49:00.000-07:00

2009-12-10T19:14:00.000-08:00

lakes

2009-11-22T10:07:00.000-08:00

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2009-10-08T00:03:00.000-07:00

sheosar lake deosai plains, pakistan

2009-10-02T18:59:00.000-07:00

2009-09-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

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2009-07-02T05:41:00.000-07:00

2009-06-27T06:33:00.000-07:00

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2009-06-03T23:37:00.000-07:00

2009-06-03T23:21:00.000-07:00

home nature

2009-06-01T05:35:00.000-07:00

2009-05-26T23:54:00.000-07:00

rohi desert pakistan

2009-05-18T04:30:00.000-07:00

rohi desert pakistan

2009-05-14T01:46:00.000-07:00

javascript:void(0)

2009-05-12T23:45:00.000-07:00

2009-05-08T19:49:00.000-07:00

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2009-04-21T00:17:00.000-07:00

raka poshi from rush lake trek

2009-04-21T00:14:00.000-07:00

2009-04-16T23:34:00.000-07:00

2009-04-16T05:38:00.000-07:00

nature and peoples

2009-04-15T18:07:00.000-07:00

green

2009-04-13T12:21:00.000-07:00

rakaposhi

2009-04-02T06:07:00.000-07:00

Dumani /Rakaposhi which is the local name, the shining wall, Rakaposhi lies half way of Nagar from Gilgit town on the right edge of the Karakorum highway at the left bank of Nagar River.

It is one o the magnificent peak in the world. The peak dominates the horizon and is constantly visible from the Karakorum highway, it looks so beautiful that the first ever glance at it inspires charms and lures an on looker to be in its abode, it is also one of the easy accessible peak being lying on the Karakorum highway.

Famous glacier valleys, like, Biro, Barpu, Bagrot and Pissan surround the peak, it has 3 faces to climb, from South east face biro glacier Goglot Goh, valley from North West Pissan glacier from west Ghulmet face which is a long route to reach to the main summit.

Technically it begins with ice and later on with rock steep and over hung walls, only easy from Juglot side from which several expeditions got on the summit.

In 1938 it was explored by British India with a German man R Campbell Scord who have scaled a small peak of Rrakaposhi group 6858m that was first attempt of Rakaposhi group from Juglot Nala.

The 2nd attempt was by RCF Schaumburg in 1946 –47 reached up to 6096m. RCF Schaumburg a famous explorer of Karakorum and Himalaya from British India.

It was 1954 the German Austrian climbers tried Mount Rakaposhi but they couldn’t find an easy route, in the same time another expedition from Cambridge University attempt a small peak ranging 6340m.

In 1958 British Pakistan combined expedition climbed Rakaposhi and valid the medal of Pride. Two of the members Gol Frost bite one has died, with hard injuries. It depends to the climbers climbing experiences and physical fitness to choose routs.

flower

2009-03-28T05:04:00.000-07:00

flower

fairy meadows

2009-03-25T11:15:00.000-07:00

Fairy Meadow is a meadow on the north side of Nanga Parbat( elevation 8,126 metres (26,660 ft) 9th highest in the World and 2nd highest in Pakistan), a few kilometers south of the Karakoram Highway and the Indus River in the Diamer district of Northern Areas, Pakistan. This legendry name Fairy Meadows is everlasting gift of a german tourist Willy Merkl to the local people, local name of Fairy Meadows is Fantori.

Nanga Parbat is a Persian word, which means ï¿½Naked Mountainï¿½, Nanga Parbat is also called the Killer Mountain as more then 40 climbers have lost their lives trying to conquer it during expeditions and locals call it Daimoryi, which is the end of Himalaya. Most tourists who come to see Nanga Parbat stay at Fairy Meadows, which is at an elevation of 3,300 m (10,827 ft). On the route to the meadow lie two small villages, Tatu and Fanturi.

Reinhold Messner

2009-03-22T09:13:00.000-07:00

Born in Brixen, Italy and a native speaker of German and fluent in Italian,
[1]
he grew up in Villnöß and spent his early years climbing in the Alps and fell in love with the Dolomites. His father, Josef Messner, was a teacher. He was also very strict and sometimes severe with Reinhold. Josef led Reinhold to his first summit at the age of five. Reinhold had eight brothers and one sister: he later climbed with his brother Günther and made Arctic crossings with his brother Hubert. When Reinhold was age 13, he began climbing with his brother Günther, age 11. By the time Reinhold and Günther were in their early twenties they were among Europe's best climbers.
[2]

Since the sixties, and inspired by Hermann Buhl, he was one of the first and more enthusiastic supporters of alpine style mountaineering in the Himalayas, which consisted of climbing with very light equipment and a minimum of external help. Messner considered the usual expedition style ("siege tactics") disrespectful towards nature and mountains.

His first major Himalayan climb in 1970, the unclimbed Rupal face of Nanga Parbat, turned out to be a tragic success. Both he and his brother Günther Messner reached the summit, but Günther died two days later on the descent of the Diamir face. Reinhold lost six toes, which had become badly frostbitten during the climb and required amputation.[2] Reinhold has been severely criticized for persisting on this climb with an insufficiently experienced Günther.
[3]

While Messner and Peter Habeler were noted for fast ascents in the Alps of the Eiger North Wall, standard route (10 hours) and Les Droites (8 hours), his 1975 Gasherbrum I first ascent of a new route took 3 days. This was unheard of at the time. And similarly his second solo Everest ascent was also done in a short time.

In the 1970s, Messner championed the cause for ascending Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen, saying that he would do it "by fair means" or not at all.
[4]
In 1978, he reached the summit of Everest with Habeler.
[5]
This was the first time anyone had been that high without bottled oxygen and Messner and Habeler proved what most doctors, specialists, and mountaineers thought impossible. It changed mountaineering forever. He repeated the feat, without Habeler, from the Tibetan side in 1980, during the monsoon season. This was Everest's first solo summit.

In 1978, he made a solo ascent of the technically difficult Diamir face of Nanga Parbat. In 1986, Messner became the first to complete all fourteen eight-thousanders (peaks over 8,000 metres above sea level).
[6]
Messner has crossed Antarctica on skis with Arved Fuchs. He has written a number of books about his experiences, many available translated into English and other languages. He was featured in the 1984 film The Dark Glow of the Mountains by Werner Herzog.

Messner today carries on a diversified business related to his mountaineering skills. From 1999 to 2004, he held political office as a Member of the European Parliament for the Italian Green Party (Federazione dei Verdi. He was also among the founders or Mountain Wilderness, an international NGO dedicated to the protection of mountains worldwide.

In 2004 he crossed 2000 kilometres through the Gobi desert. He has now mainly devoted himself to the Mountain Museum, a complex of museums, about several mountain-related themes, of which he is the founder.

He has carried that heavy burden to the literal ends of the earth. Messner, 62, is not only the greatest high-altitude mountaineer the world has ever known; he is probably the best it will ever know. His 1980 solo ascent of Mount Everest by "fair means" — without sherpas, crevasse ladders or supplemental oxygen — remains the most primal test conceivable of man against the earth.

That ascent, and Messner's subsequent conquest of the world's 13 other peaks of 8,000 m or more, set the gold standard for mountaineering. "He had nobody's footsteps to follow," says Ed Viesturs, an American climber who completed the fair-means ascent of all 14 of those peaks in spring 2005. "After Messner, the mystery of possibility was gone; there remained only the mystery of whether you could do it."

Messner's obsession was formed early in the Dolomites and other Alpine ranges — he was born in a narrow German-speaking valley of Italy's South Tyrol. His first venture to the Himalayas in 1970 ended in tragedy when his younger brother Günther died after summiting Nanga Parbat. Several members of that expedition accused Messner of abandoning his brother in an egotistical push to open a new route of descent, but the discovery of Günther's body last year confirmed Messner's contention that he had been killed by an avalanche.

Messner later traversed Greenland and the Gobi Desert, and tackled both poles by fair means. He served a term in the European Parliament for the Italian Green Party, and now heads a range of museums about the lure of mountains and raises a family back in South Tyrol, where it all began. He's been decried as arrogant, defensive and abrasive. But in answering to no one but himself, Messner obeys a higher calling. His achievements will inspire lone wolves and stubborn dreamers for generations to come.

green valley , malam jabba"swat" pakistan

2009-03-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

is home to the most popular ski resort of Pakistan. Located located nearly 40km from Saidu Sharif in Swat Valley, NWFP, Malam Jabba is a popular destination for tourists in winter as well as in summer. The distance from Islamabad by road is 314 Kilometers and 51 Kilometers from Saidu Sharif Airport. The PTDC resort at Malam Jabba has a ski slope of about 800m which is facilitated with a chairlift. The highest point of the slope is 2,804 m (9,200 feet) above sea level. There is a smaller slope with ski-lift for amateur skiers as well. The resort is equipped with snow clearing equipment and roller/ice skating rinks. The motel at the resort has elegantly furnished rooms and the restaurant offers both local and international cuisine. These photos are from my ski trip to Malam Jabba in 2005.

deran peak

2009-03-19T11:41:00.000-07:00

2009-03-18T05:07:00.000-07:00

cholistani girl

2009-03-16T23:26:00.000-07:00

Cholistan is locally known as Rohi. This famous desert is 30 Km from Bahawalpur and comprises of an area of 16,000 sq.km. which extends upto the Thar desert extending over to Sindh. The word Cholistan is derived from 'Cholna' which means moving. The people of Cholistan lead a semi-nomadic life, moving from one place to another in search of water and fodder for their animals.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN CHOLISTAN

Derawar Fort: Derawar Fort is located 48 Km from Dera Nawab Sahib. It is still in a good condition. The rampart walls are intact and still guarded by the personal guards of the Amir of Bahawalpur. The tombs of the ex-rulers of Bahawalpur and their families are located in this fort. The tombs have nice glazed blue tile work. Prior permission of the senior Amir of Bahawalpur is required to enter the fort.

Shrines of Channan Pir: The Shrine of Channan Pir is located 45 Km from Derawar Fort. Channan Pir was a disciple of Makhdoom Jahanian Jahangasht. The annual Urs is held at the beginning of March. A colourful fair known as 'Mela Channan Pir' is held here. Devotees gather on the night of full moon to offer "Fateha" at the tomb of the saint.

PEOPLE AND COSTUMES

People: The people of Bahawalpur are very simple and loving, have great faith in religion, Pirs, Saints and Shrines. They love music and singing. In the absence of other musical instruments even a 'Ghara' (Pitcher) would keep the concert going. The Cholistan people tend to preserve their primitive customs and traditions.

Costumes: The costumes of women in Cholistan are embroidered and printed colourful 'Cholid', ordinary and long embroidered shirt, baggy shalwars, dupattas and 'Chunries', Ghagras which are prepared beautifully in strong contrast. Village women still wear heavy skirts made of 40 yards of cloth known as Cholas Hath Ghagra. Men wear embroidered and colourful Cholas (long shirts). Balaposh (robe like coat), heavy baggy shalwars, Turkish caps, Turbans and Zari shoes have a liking for a plain and embroidered colourful Cholas, Bangis, Turbans, and Balaposh. Men in the Urban area wear Shalwar, Kameez and Coat, & some people also wear Trouser.

HANDICRAFTS

The Punjab Small Industries Corporation has established a Craft Development Centre for Cholistan Area, outside Farid Gate, Bahawalpur from where handicrafts manufactured in Cholistan can be purchased.

Flassi: It is a place of 4-ft x 7-ft size, made of camel hair and cotton yarn. It is used for wall hanging, as a decoration piece and a carpet.

Gindi or Rill: It is made of small pieces of different colours of cotton cloth and needlework. It can be used as wall hanging, bed covers, carpets and blankets etc.

Changaries: Like big plaques, these are made of palm leaves in different bright colours with beautiful patterns and geometric designs. These are used for keeping the 'Chapatis' (bread) and also as a wall decoration.

Khalti: It is like a purse embroidered on top with multi-coloured threads.

Aar Work: It is an attractive kind of embroidery work done on Duppata, Kurta and Chaddar etc.

GENERAL INFORMATION

*
Altitude: 400 ft.
*
Area: 23539 sq. km.
*
Population: 24,10,566 (District Bahawalpur) 1998 Census.
*
Climate: Winter (Oct March): Max 23.5C, Min 8C
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Simmer (April Sep): Max 34C, Min 32C
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Rainfall: 6.89 inches annually.
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Tourist Season: October to March
*
TOURIST INFORMATION

flower of desert "rohi"

2009-03-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

the "civilization" clash ,arguing and and fighting on stuff that matters not .....yet in the wilderness,another flower blooms.
how can i ,that girl standing there,my attention fix; on trivial thing like politics?"

(w.b Yeats)

cholistan "pakistan"

2009-03-11T05:38:00.000-07:00

(1)Cholistan is a vast sandy desert covering an area of 2407 km2 and is locally known as Rohi.
The area is dominated by sand dunes as high as 12m. There are however, patches of leveled areas
lying between the dunes. The Hakra River divide the area into smaller and greater Cholistans. The
smaller Cholistan lies in the north of Hakra depression and is relatively flat with a few low sand
dunes. The greater Cholistan lies in the south and is entirely occupied by large sand dunes. The
encroachment of dunes from the greater Cholistan is a continuous danger for the local people. It is
important to have a full knowledge of the natural vegetation composition of this area. The present
study enlightens this aspect along with suggestions for the stabilization of sand dunes.

(2)
The Cholistan, or Rohi, Desert in Punjab is the largest desert on the Indian continent. The desert is over 10,000 square miles. Located 20 miles from Bahawalpur, The Hakra River dried up here, and with it most life. The 2.5 million people who live here are nomads who lead a simple life herding and trading in camels. Their culture is strong with many romantic legends dating back to ancient times and they place great value in the power of song. The desert festivals are simply out of this world, you may see camels dancing (except those with two left humps) who are even better dressed in dazzling costumes than their owners. The people of Cholistan wear embroidered and print coloured shirts, skirts and robe coats. During the wet season, the nomads built shallow reservoirs to catch rainwater to survive long spells away from their villages.

rohi desert "pakistan"

2009-03-10T22:25:00.000-07:00

These days again, the desert is under going a process of profound change because of canal system originating from the River Sutlaj. But one can still find people living in houses made of mud and straw almost as they might have been living 200 years ago. The way of life is also about to change. The women folk in drab landscape of desert wearing nath (nosegay), katmala (necklace), kangan (big bangles), pazeb (worn on toes), bright color, and vivid pattern lehngas of 20 yards and high cholis may one day become part of history. Maybe not so in near future! Sofi poet Khawaja Ghulam Farid, who spent 18 years of his life wandering about in Cholistan, admiring its beauty and people wrote, "But what tongue shall tell the glory of it, the perpetual strength of it, and sublimity of its lonely desolation! And who shall paint the splendor of its light." The poet was passionately found of desert milieus that are hard, dry and at first repulsive. His fascination for Cholistan was so rich that his poetry has woven melodious aura all around Rohi -- as the desert is called in a local dialect. He has set the standards for desert wanderers. I can tell you something of what I have seen during my intermittent stay - from 1977 till 2000 - in the desert, but I cannot tell you the grander of the desert, nor the glory of colors that wrap the burning sand. The awesome vistas and richness of the desert are beyond description. Cholistan is a land of legends, myths, velour, romance, folk melodies and regal elegance.

At the tail of monsoon region, Cholistan stands as if petitioning the sky for rain. It very seldom falls. And whenever the prayers are answered, the water is stored for human being as well as animals in reservoirs known as `kunds'. Average rainfall in the area is 3 to 5 inches a year. Nomadic Holystones are constantly moving in search of water that is scarce, lies very deep, and is brackish. The lack of fresh water for drinking and irrigation controls the lives of the people of the region. A Saraiki poet once wrote, "Men tassel, merry dart tarsi, tee tarsi Rohi jai, melon ankh an pan dryad." It seems as if Cholistan is still mourning for the demise of the River Hacra. Cholistan is one of the fantasy regions for local as well foreign tourists, geologists, historians, archaeologists and naturalists.

Cholistan Desert, covers an area of about 15,000 square kms and extends into the Thar Desert of India. This vast and arid piece of land was once an irrigation land and it was fed by the mighty Hacra River, whose dry bed is now home to the Cholistani people.

The 400 uncovered archaeological sites along the dried up bed of this river is the indication that this area was lived in by many ancient civilisations. Besides the traces of many Stone Age settlements, a series of desert fort has been built to guard the trade route across Cholistan. Most of them have turned into ruins. The best preserved of them all is the majestic Derawar Fort.

bijnot

2009-03-10T04:31:00.000-07:00

bijnot a rich cultured village of desert rohi,97 kilometers away from derawar fort

original colors

2009-03-06T06:55:00.000-08:00

titlian pakarnay ko door jana parta hai

2009-03-05T08:05:00.000-08:00

titlian pakarney ko kitna sehl jana tha...........
khushbuon ko choo lena, barishon kay mousm main
sham ka har ik manzar ghar main qaid kar lena.......
roshni sitaron ki muthion main bhar lena kitna sehl jana tha.....
jugnuon ki baton se phool jaisay angan main roshni si kar lena.............
us ki yad ka chehra kabnak ankhon ki jheel kay gulabon par der tak saja rakhna ....
kitna sehl jana tha..
ae nazar ki khush fehmi is tarah nahen hota.....
titlian pakarnay ko door jana parta hai

dedicate to lankan team

2009-03-03T17:05:00.000-08:00

Lahore, March 03: Terror struck cricket today when a gang of highly trained terrorists attacked Sri Lankan team's convoy here, injuring seven players and killing eight policemen and others, leaving the cricket world stunned.

In an audacious gun and grenade attack, 12 terrorists ambushed the Lankan team's bus near Gaddafi Stadium, where the players were being taken, at 9 am, ahead of the third day's play in the second Test against Pakistan.

Star batsman Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana were hospitalised with shrapnel wounds, while captain Mahela Jayawardene, vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Thilina Thushara and Suranga Lokumal received minor injuries, mostly shrapnel wounds. All of them were out of danger.

The Sri Lankan team's assistant coach Paul Farbrace was also injured in the attack which left six policemen and two civilians dead. Besides the Sri Lankan team members, nine security personnel, two rescue workers, Pakistan Cricket Board liaison officer Abdus Sami Khan and reserve umpire Ahsan Raza were also injured, officials said. Raza was operated on in hospital and his condition was described as stable.

Sri Lanka, which agreed to tour Pakistan after India had refused to do so in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attack, immediately called off the tour.

How it happened

Mehar Mohammad Khalil, the driver of the Sri Lankan team’s bus, told reporters that the terrorists had shot at his vehicle from all sides.

A rocket fired from behind missed the bus and hit an electric pylon, Khalil said.

The driver said he had seen a tall and bearded terrorist wearing a shalwar kameez emerge from a white car and open fire at the bus. Another terrorist lobbed a grenade that passed under the bus.

“People started shouting in the bus and the players said ‘Go,go’. I drove the bus at high speed to the stadium. I then saw a Sri Lankan player was hit in the leg by a bullet. We called an ambulance and put him in it,” said Khalil.

The Lahore police chief said the attackers had gone to the Liberty Chowk traffic roundabout in a rickshaw and several cars.

The bus with the Sri Lankan team immediately drove to the Gaddafi Stadium, from where the two Sri Lankan players with shrapnel injuries were taken to the Services Hospital.

Police cordoned off the area after the attack and launched a search for the gunmen. Reports said the gunmen had tried to snatch a car in a nearby market as they fled from Liberty Chowk.

The gunmen, who attacked the team bus with rockets, grenades and automatic weapons, fled and none was caught.

As a shocked world watched, air force helicopters evacuated the Sri Lankan players from the stadium to an air force base. A special plane sent from Colombo to bring the team home carried it home on Tuesday night.

We all dived to the floor to take cover: Jayawardene

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene, who was also in the bus, said that the players dived to the floor of the bus to take cover when the team bus came under heavy fire from terrorists.

"The bus came under attack as we were driving to the stadium, the gunmen targeted the wheels of the bus first and then the bus," Jayawardene was quoted as saying in a report.

"We all dived to the floor to take cover. Players were been injured and also Paul Farbrace (a member of the support staff), but most of the injuries appear to be minor and were caused by debris," he said.

’Like 26/11’

Punjab Governor Salman Taseer said the attack bore the hallmarks of the Mumbai terror strikes, for which India blamed Pakistan-based elements including Lashkar-e-Toiba. "I want to say it's the same pattern, the same terrorists who attacked Mumbai," he said.

Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan, who met the Sri Lankan team, said Jayawardena sustained a minor injury to his leg.

Four suspects were detained by police in the Model Town area. Two cars used by the terrorists were seized by police. Officials said they found grenades, explosives and other materials in the cars.

TV channels aired footage of at least four of the terrorists, one of them wearing a brown shalwar kameez and the others jeans and jackets. All were armed with assault rifles and carried large backpacks. One clip showed two terrorists mercilessly shooting a policeman as he lay on the road. The terrorists were moving in pairs and appeared to be well trained.

They were later brought back to the stadium and an air force helicopter made two sorties to airlift the players.

The Pakistani team was to leave its hotel 15 minutes after the departure of the Sri Lankan side. Officials immediately took steps to prevent it from travelling towards the site of the attack.

The two teams were to play the second Test match of a series and the game was called off after the incident. The Sri Lankan team, which had come to Pakistan after several other teams refused to tour the country, called off their trip.

Future of Cric in Pak

As the attack on the sub-continent's most beloved sport was widely condemned across the world, questions were raised over the future of international cricket in Pakistan and the country's ability to co-host the 2011 World Cup.

The game's governing body ICC immediately made it clear that Pakistan, which it described as a very dangerous place, cannot host international cricket until its security is drastically improved.

ICC President-elect Sharad Pawar, who would be at the helm during the 2011 World Cup to be staged by Asian nations, said the terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers would make it difficult for Pakistan to remain a co-host for the mega event.

Pak sorry

The Pakistani leadership on Tuesday expressed its sincere apologies to the Sri Lankan people for the "very unfortunate incident" in which seven players from the Island nation were injured when masked terrorist attacked the players' convoy in Lahore on Tuesday.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday telephoned President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday in Kathmandu to strongly condemn the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers, injuring seven players and killing eight policemen and others.

Earlier, Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani had also telephoned President Rajapaksa to condemn the attack by gunmen near showpiece Gaddafi Stadium where the player were being taken at 9 am ahead of the third day's play in the second Test against Pakistan.

Zardari asked authorities to immediately investigate the incident to identify the perpetrators and expose their motives.

Gilani said the objective of the terrorist attack was to bring a “bad name to Pakistan”. Gilani also told Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and said the attack was part of a conspiracy meant to “create terror and isolate Pakistan’s cricket”.

GALIAT "PAKISTAN"

2009-02-28T20:00:00.000-08:00

Similar patterns of intensifying land use can also be found in more rural areas all across the Greater Asian Mountain region. Galiat is a part of Abbottabad Tahsil of Abbottabad District, Northwestern Pakistan. The area is located in the lesser Himalayan ranges between 33° 55’ and 34° 20’ North latitude and 73° 20’ and 73° 30’ East longitude and is home to 3,250,000 people. The main ridge of Galiat is running from North-West to South-East with big spurs in North-South directions. The main valleys also run in the direction of the spurs. The topography is rugged with steep slopes and narrow valleys with elevations ranging from 1000-3000 m. A mosaic land use pattern exists through out Galiat. The local population in the Galiat area is dependent on natural resources. The rapid population growth during the last 3-4 decades has resulted in a fragmentation of land holdings, clearance of vegetation and breaking of new land and terracing for agriculture, increased competition for scarce resources, steep slope cultivation, degradation of land due to overuse and soil erosion. The degradation of the environment is essentially caused by heavy pressure on the vegetative cover by an ever-increasing density of both livestock and humans.

green land of punjab

2009-02-26T19:50:00.000-08:00

Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L) is the most staple food of about one third of the population. It is also the principal food crop of Pakistan. It is grown on an area of 8069 thousand hectares with an annual production of 19235 million tones and an average yield of 2384 kg ha-1 (Anonymous, 2003). Wheat has always been one of the most reliable traditional food grain crop of hot semi arid and continental climates. In Pakistan, it is grown from 24o N to 37o N, from 61o E to 76o E and from sea level to about 3000 m below snowline. The main wheat growing areas, however, fall in the Indus plains. There are many components of production technology which significantly affect grain yield of wheat in a region, for example sowing date, seeding rate, irrigation etc. Sowing date affects the growth and yield of wheat by affecting its environment. Early sowing always produces higher yields than late sowing mainly, due to longer duration of growth. Each day delay in sowing of wheat from 20th November onward in Punjab (Pakistan) decreases grain yield @ 36 kg ha-1 d-1 (Hussain et al. , 1998). Similarly planting time influences the seed rate requirements of crop. Higher seed rate is used in late planting to compensate reduced components of yield. Varying responses have been reported to seed rate (khan, 1973; Khan et al. , 2001) and row spacing (Singh et al. , 1993). Increasing plant population usually gives higher yield (Nanaenko and Loktionov, 1991), and more than 6 t ha-1 and provide reasonable profit to the grower. Cultivars with higher yield potential play a vital role in increasing the yield per unit area, if they are provided with optimum husbandry management. Growth analysis of higher yielding newly evolved cultivars is needed to document their response to environmental, agronomic and physiological factors. All physiological processes of plant are directly or indirectly influenced by a water status. Water is essential for cell turgidity which is related to photosynthesis and to the growth of cells, tissues and organs ( Reddi and Reddy, 1995). Cultivar response to irrigation is critical to enhanced production. Irrigation has been shown to consistently increase wheat yield in Pakistan (Hussain et al. , 1977). However, such results were not analyzed quantitatively in relation to the prevailing weather. An understanding of the influence of weather on the response of crop yield to irrigation is needed to help plan likely demand for water resources to determine optimal irrigation strategies. To achieve this understanding, information is needed about the factors controlling water use by crops and the influence of drought on the physiological processes crucial to the yield determination. Such information may also provide useful guidance to plant breeders in the developing of genotypes more able to resist drought. Conventional methods of analysis in agronomic research usually produce results specific to the sites and seasons in which experiments are conducted. For example, yield formation in wheat and other crops is often described using yield components. Therefore, a very large number of agronomic and physiological studies have been based on this type of analysis. Thus a coherent framework for analyzing the process of yield is lacking. These old approaches of yield component analysis and growth analysis have failed to provide this framework (Monteith, 1981). Therefore, the results from such studies provide few insights into the causes of crop responses to agronomic treatments. There is a need to quantify crop growth and development relative to the potential determined by the season and site to help agronomists in analyzing the causes of variation in yield. For example, phonological development of a cereal crop is dependent upon both temperature and photoperiod ( Gallagher et al. , 1983). Growth of wheat crop is primarily dependent upon the amount of intercepted radiation (Gallagher and Biscoe, 1978) and crop transpiration (Jamieson et al. , 1984). Thus final grain yield is affected by harvest index (Donald and Hamblin, 1976). To carry the analysis of yield formation beyond above mentioned quantitative and qualitative descriptions, predictive models of crop growth and yield are required. Crop simulation models are important tools for agronomic management strategy evaluation, both under irrigated and rainfed conditions. The computer simulation modeling has been used in an attempt to bring ideas together (e.g. Weir et al. , 1984). Recently many mechanistic simulations were reported about the growth, development and yield of wheat from sowing to maturity in response to a field environment ( Porter et al. , 1983; Otter Nacke et al. , 1986; Travis and Day, 1988; Aggarwal et al. , 1994; Rickman et al. , 1996). These models simulate daily dry matter production as a function of radiation and temperature and water availability. In Pakistan no studies of crop growth simulation have been reported. The present study was therefore, conducted with the following objectives: 1. To examine the effect of environment and agronomic practices such as sowing date, plant population and irrigation on growth, development and yield of wheat cultivars. 2. To determine the irrigation requirements for wheat in Faisalabad, especially information regarding timing and amounts of irrigation and expected crop response. 3. To develop a computer simulation model of growth, yield based of sound physiological and environmental principles.

ladyfinger and hunza peak

2009-02-23T12:14:00.000-08:00

beautiful peaks in hunza.
both peaks are still unclimbed.
view from duikar.

Bublimotin, Bubli Motin, Bublimating or Ladyfinger Peak, is a distinctive rock spire in the Batura Muztagh, the westernmost subrange of the Karakoram range in Pakistan. It lies on the southwest ridge of the Ultar Sar massif, the most southeasterly of the major groups of the Batura Muztagh. The whole massif rises precipitously above the Hunza Valley to the southeast. Bublimotin, while having little prominence above the saddle with nearby Hunza Peak, is particularly notable for being a sharp, relatively snowless rock spire among snow peaks. This, combined with its height above the valley, makes it quite eye-catching; hence the distinctive name. It provides a 600m (1830 ft) rock climb (with a very serious alpine approach) and has been the scene of some notable paragliding.

2009-02-22T11:38:00.000-08:00

song by Martina McBride

I beg your pardon I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine there's gotta be a little rain sometime
When you take you gotta give so live and let live and let go oh oh oh oh
I beg your pardon I never promised you a rose garden

I could promise you things like big diamond rings
But you don't find roses growin' on stalks of clover
So you better think it over
Well, if sweet talking you could make it come true
I would give you the world right now on a silver platter
But what would it matter
So smile for a while and let's be jolly love shouldn't be so melancholy
Come along and share the good times while we can

I beg your pardon I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine there's gotta be a little rain sometime
I beg your pardon I never promised you a rose garden

I could sing you a tune and promise you the moon
But if that's what it takes to hold you I'd just as soon let you go
But there's one thing I want you to know
You'd better look before you leap still waters run deep
And there won't always be someone there to pull you out
And you know what I'm talking about
So smile for a while and let's be jolly love shouldn't be so melancholy
Come along and share the good times while we can

I beg your pardon I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine there's gotta be a little rain sometime.....

I beg your pardon I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine there's gotta be a little rain sometime.....

just for few dollars

2009-02-21T13:11:00.000-08:00

i was in zoo of bahawalpur for jeep rally meeting last evening, my friend" mian abbas " is curator of zoo he sent me with a man named "kaloo" i was stun when he entered in the cage of lions and just for few dollars he was doing what is in this picture

village life of punjab"pakistan"

2009-02-19T09:33:00.000-08:00

Pakistan is the cradle of Indus Valley Civilization, civilisation that is spread over more than 4000 years of history. Archaeological excavations here have revealed evidence of the meticulously planned cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro that lived and died along the banks of the mighty Indus and its tributaries. The ancient Hindu epics narrate life between the 7th and 5th century BC which carry rich descriptions of the land and people of Indus at that time. These relics throw light on the culture and changing architectural styles of Punjab since the Harappan age. At Taxila near Islamabad, sites associated with great Gandhara Civilization yielded remarkable relics that showcase the magnificient age of Buddhism in the region.

But along with its magnificent past, the rural life in present day Pakistan is as rich even today as it used to be before. The lush green crops which ripen in summer to yield golden harvests, fruit laden orchards which bear delicious fruits similar to those of the paradise and above all a mouth watering food that makes many a chefs to envy. The luscious fruits are so dominant in Punjab’s rural culture that a special variety of mangoes is called Samr-e-Bahisht, literally meaning the fruit of the paradise.

The Punjabi folk in Pakistani rural scene are extrovert; sociable guys who like to eat well and dress well. Even in a tight spot, a Punjabi youth would like to twirl his moustache and say “Khair ae” (am quite well”) to those who ask how he’s getting on. He learns quickly and assimilates new cultures without difficulty; family honour is sacrosanct to Punjabi’s, but in other matters they tend to be liberal. It is a matter of pride to be “up to date”. Their enterprise and capacity to work hard are legendary and it’s a deep ambition of Punjabi guys to “be one’s own boss”: many an émigré Punjabi have started life in a strange land driving a cab or working in a café and gone on to buy out the owner within a couple of years.
A few generations ago, turban was the “crowning glory” of all Punjabis, but it has now gradually disappeared from the scene. It was once a symbol of Punjab’s honour and status. At the same time it offered a protection against the simmering heat in the Punjab plains. The kurta, a long straight-cut, loose shirt teamed with pyjamas, the loose baggy shalwar, or a kind of sarong called a dhoti or tehmad makes up the traditional dress for men. Winter sees the rustic Punjabi in colorful sweaters that wives and mothers are so skilled in making. A shawl in winter and a chador in summer finish this ensemble. When the urban, educated Punjabi steps out to work he will be in shirt and pant or a suit-sartorially indistinguishable from his counterparts in Tokyo or Toronto. Back home in the evening, he is likely to be found in more traditional dress.

The traditional Punjabi shoes, called juttis or khussas retain their popularity with rural folk; they are both elegant and comfortable. Bahawalpur, Sargodha and Hazro in Attock district are famous for khussas. The women in Punjabi villages dress in shalwar topped by a kameez (a garment that can be fitted like a dress loose like the kurta) and accented by a rectangular scarf about 2.5 metres long called the duppatta . She’s fond of her sweaters, but passionately proud of her collection of woolen shawls. Gold is the weakness of Punjabi women - brides are loaded with it. The jewelers of Punjab, stock an enormous range of designs in bangles, necklaces, rings and earrings, nose-pins, ornaments to pin in the hair, anklets and toe-rings.

Culturally, Pakistan’s rural folk enjoy a seemingly happy and contented life. Not that they tend to be passive and lack initiative. On the other hand our rural folk are more energetic and struggle minded than their city dwelling counterparts.

Life in a typical Punjabi village in Pakistan, starts early in the morning. The senior village dwellers along with not so insignificant number of village youth turn to the village mosque for offering their early morning Fajr prayers. After prayer, a delicious rich breakfast awaits the village men. The breakfast itself comprises of either fresh milk (cow or buffalo’s) or a hot brew of tea with a good amount of milk and sugar.

After breakfast, the men folk move to the fields where they start performing different chores of cultivation like plowing, sowing, and harvesting depending upon the season.

Most villages in Pakistan are situated away from the noise of the city life. They are peaceful and silent places. A typical Pakistani village consists of unpaved paths and streets. Its houses are made of mud. However, with lot of young members from rural families which moved to the gulf as part of the “Dubai Chalo” syndrome, have benefitted from the petro dollars. So the villagers now build their houses from bricks and concrete though most of the village people have simple habits and limited needs.

cockfighting

2009-02-18T06:54:00.001-08:00

Cockfighting—a blood sport in which at least two roosters are placed in a ring and forced to fight to the death for the “amusement” of onlookers—is illegal throughout the United States. As the Orlando Sentinel commented, “Cockfighting is a cruel sport that has gone on far too long.” (1)

Forced to Fight or Die
In their natural environments, birds fight over mates, food, or territory and to establish their dominance or position in a flock’s pecking order. According to Paul Siegel, a Virginia Tech expert in fowl genetics and behavior, birds rarely fight to the death because the weaker bird generally flees. “If there’s a way to escape,” Siegel said, “they’ll just get the heck out.” In cockfights, Siegel says, roosters continue fighting because they cannot escape.(2)

There is nothing natural about the manner in which birds who are destined for the ring live or die. “Battle stags” (roosters under the age of 2) and “battle cocks” (roosters 2 years of age and older) are born, raised, and trained to fight on properties known as “game farms.”(3) Breeders (also called “cockers”) kill the birds they deem inferior so that their flocks will have genetic lines filled with birds who are “game,” i.e., willing to fight.(4)

Many of these birds spend most of their lives tethered by one leg near whatever object is intended to serve as their shelter, such as an overturned plastic barrel or a small wire cage placed directly on the ground. When they’re not chained or in the ring, the birds are conditioned to fight through a combination of physical work, including being forced to walk with weights attached to their legs, and “practice fights” with other roosters.

Before they are thrown into the ring, many birds have their feathers plucked out, and their wattles and/or combs (the flesh at the top of the head and under the beak) are hacked off, usually with shears. These mutilations are performed as an offensive measure—in other words, so other roosters don’t do it in the fighting ring. Because roosters do not have sweat glands, the loss of these body parts deprives them of the ability to cool themselves. Some cockers cut off the birds’ spurs, which are the natural boney protrusions on the legs that serve as roosters’ natural weapons, so that more deadly weapons can be strapped to their legs.

What Happens at Cockfights
Many cockfights are held in round or square enclosures known as “cockpits,” or simply, “pits.” Once birds have been paired according to their weights and weapons, their owners and spectators place bets on which bird will win each fight.

A bell, whistle, or the signal of a referee marks the start of the fight. At that time, the handlers “pit” the birds, placing them on the pit’s floor to fight. According to one eyewitness, “With neck feathers fanned and wings whirring, the birds jump and parry at each other. They kick and duel in mid-air, striking at each other with feet and beak.”(5) Blood stains the pit’s floor. If the fighting fades, handlers pick the birds up and blow on their backs, yank at their beaks, or hold them beak-to-beak in an attempt to “reignite the frenzy.”(6,7) The birds are then re-pitted. According to one official, one rooster must be killed or nearly killed for the fight to end, because the alternative is to “have one of the cockers pick up his rooster and give up the fight, but nobody wants to do that ’cause then you’re saying, ‘Hey, I’m a loser, I don’t train good birds.’ They would rather have them die in the pit than pick them up.”(8)

“Losing” birds often end up discarded in a barrel or trash can near the game pit. One visitor to a cockfight found a trash can where “two fighters had been discarded. The rooster on the bottom was dead. The one on top of him had a huge chest wound. He was still alive, but barely.”(9) Even birds who “win” cockfights are frequently disfigured.

Roosters who are rescued from game farms or cockfights are typically euthanized because, as one official explained, “[T]he only thing they’ve been trained to do is fight other roosters … euthanasia means a humane death—it’s not the barbaric, brutal activity inside the pit that they’re being raised for.”(10)

The Tip of a Criminal Iceberg
Cockfighting usually involves other crimes in addition to cruelty to animals. Gambling—frequently illegal and involving large sums of money—is found at many cockfights, as are firearms and other weapons that are sometimes used in violent, interpersonal crimes, including murder, as seen in a triple homicide that occurred at a Northern California cockfight.(11)

Illegal drugs are also commonly found at cockfights, and criminal investigators have happened upon roosters and fighting pits while searching for other illicit materials. In one instance, officers raiding a California marijuana farm allegedly found more than 150 roosters and cockfighting paraphernalia “amid the 4,000 pot plants they expected to find ….”(12)

Young children are often present at cockfights; exposure to such violence can promote insensitivity to animal suffering and an enthusiasm for bloodshed.

Disease Threat
The chance of a bird flu pandemic is only increased by the presence of cockfighting, which has been tied to at least eight cases of the disease.(13) Bird owners regularly come into contact with the birds’ blood during the fights. The Washington Post reported that at one cockfight, “[bird] owners scrubbed the blood off their birds with bare hands … then … stitched the wounds around their eyes,” and “sometimes … the injuries are so severe that owners relieve the swelling by sucking out the blood by mouth.” The paper warned that “the intimacy of the owners and trainers with their birds also poses a profound danger.”(14)

Illegally transported birds have already caused an outbreak of disease in the United States. For example, the smuggling of roosters into the country for cockfighting was responsible for a 2002 Exotic Newcastle disease epidemic in California.(15) Even the National Chicken Council lent support to federal legislation designed to crack down on cockfighting in light of the “continuing hazard for the dissemination of animal diseases” associated with the trafficking of animals for use in this cruel activity.(16)

What You Can Do
Many states have made cockfighting a felony. Even attending a cockfight is illegal in most states, as is possessing roosters for the purpose of fighting. In 2002, President George W. Bush signed legislation that made the transport of roosters across state lines to engage in fights a federal crime.(17) Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mayor Martin Chavez has said, “The idea of putting razor blades on the feet of these birds and allowing them to tear each other up is obscene.”(18) His state banned cockfighting in 2007, and a ban in Louisiana took effect in August 2008.(19)

If you suspect that this illegal activity is happening in your neighborhood, contact local law enforcement authorities.

aerial view of rawalpindi

2009-02-17T11:05:00.000-08:00

Rawalpindi is a district of Pakistan in the north of the Punjab province which contains the city of Rawalpindi. The district has an area of 5,286 km2 (2,041 sq mi). It was part of Rawalpindi Division, until the year 2000 when the division was abolished. It is situated on the southern slopes of the north-western extremities of the Himalayas, including large mountain tracts with rich valleys traversed by mountain rivers. It contains the Murree hills and the sanatorium of the same name, the chief hill station in the Punjab. The chief rivers are the Indus and the Jhelum, and the climate is noted for its health benefits.

Rawalpindi, also known as Pindi, has a long history spread over several millennia. Archaeologists believe that a distinct culture flourished on this plateau as far back as 3000 years. The material remains found at the site prove the existence of a Buddhist establishment contemporary to Taxila and of a Vedic civilisation. The nearby town of Taxila has another significance; according to the Guinness Book of World Records it has the world's oldest university - Takshashila University.[citation needed]

Sir Alexander Cunningham identified certain ruins on the site of the cantonment with the ancient city of Gajipur or Gajnipur, the capital of the Bhatti tribe in the ages preceding the Christian era. Graeco-Bactrian coins, together with ancient bricks, occur over an area of 500 ha (2 mi²). Known within historical times as Fatehpur Baori, Rawalpindi fell into decay during one of the Mongol invasions in the fourteenth century.[1]

It appears that the ancient city went into oblivion as a result of the White Hun devastation. The first Muslim invader, Mahmud of Ghazni 979-1030), gave the ruined city to a Gakhar Chief, Kai Gohar. The town, however, being on an invasion route, could not prosper and remained deserted until Jhanda Khan, another Gakhar Chief, restored it and named it Rawalpindi after the village Rawal in 1493. Rawalpindi remained under the rule of the Gakkhars until Muqarrab Khan, the last Gakkhar ruler, was defeated by the Sikhs under Sardar Milka Singh in 1765. Singh invited traders from the neighbouring commercial centres of Jhelum and Shahpur to settle in the territory.[1]

Early in the nineteenth century Rawalpindi became for a time the refuge of Shah Shuja, the exiled king of Afghanistan, and of his brother Shah Zaman. The present native infantry lines mark the site of a battle fought by the Gakhars under their famous chief Sultan Mukarrab Khan in the middle of the eighteenth century. Rawalpindi was taken by Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1818. It was at Rawalpindi, on March 14, 1849, that the Sikh army under Chattar Singh and Sher Singh finally laid down their arms after the battle of Gujrat and were decisively defeated.[1]

[edit] British rule

Following the British conquest of the region and their occupation of Rawalpindi in 1849, the city became a permanent garrison of the British army in 1851. In the 1880s a railway line to Rawalpindi was laid, and train service was inaugurated on January 1, 1886. The need for a railway link arose after Lord Dalhousie made Rawalpindi the headquarters of the Northern Command and the city became the largest British military garrison in British India.

On the introduction of British rule, Rawalpindi became the site of a cantonment, and shortly afterwards the headquarters of a Division; while its connexion with the main railway system by the extension of the North-Western Railway to Peshawar immensely developed both its size and commercial importance. The municipality was created in 1867. The income and expenditure during the ten years ending 1902-3 averaged 2-1 lakhs. In 1903-4 the income and expenditure were 1-8 lakhs and 2-1 lakhs respectively. The chief item of income was octroi (1-6 lakhs) ; and the expenditure included administration (Rs. 35,000), conservancy (Rs. 27,000), hospitals and dispensaries (Rs. 25,000), public works (Rs. 9,000), and public safety (Rs. 17,000). The cantonment, with a population in 1901 of 40,611, was the most important in all of British South Asia. It contained one battery of horse and one of field artillery, one mountain battery, one company of garrison artillery, and one ammunition column of field artillery; one regiment of British and one of Native cavalry; two of British and two of Native infantry; and two companies of sappers and miners, with a balloon section. It was the winter head-quarters of the Northern Command, and of the Rawalpindi military division. An arsenal was established here in 1883.[1]

It has also been recently disclosed that the British Government tested poison gas on Indian troops during a series of experiments that lasted over a decade.[2]

[edit] After independence

In 1951, Rawalpindi saw the assassination of the first elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan in Company Bagh now known as Liaquat Bagh Park (also called Liaquat Garden.) On 27 December 2007, Liaquat Bagh Park's rear gate in Rawalpindi was the site of the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.[3] Her father, former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged in Rawalpindi in 1979.

Today Rawalpindi is the headquarters of the Pakistani Army and Air Force.

The famous Murree Road has been a hot spot for various political and social events. Nala Lai, in the middle of city, history describes Nala Lai water as pure enough for drinking but now it has become polluted with the waste water from all sources including factories and houses.

Kashmir Road, was renamed from Dalhousie Road, Haider road from Lawrence road, Bank Road from Edwards Road, Hospital Road from Mission Road, Jinnah Road from Nehru Road.

lahore fort

2009-02-15T22:32:00.000-08:00

Lahore Fort is located at an eminence in the northwest corner of the Walled City. The citadel is spread over approximately 50 acres and is trapezoidal in form. Although the origin of this fort goes deep into antiquity, the present fortifications were begun by Mughal Emperor Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar. There is evidence that a mud fort was in existence here in 1021, when Mahmud of Ghazni invaded this area. Akbar demolished the old mud fort and constructed most of the modern fort on the old foundations. The fort's mud construction dates back to the early Hindu period. The fort is mentioned in connection with Muhammad Sam's invasions of Lahore in 1180, 1184, and 1186. It was ruined by the Mongols in 1241, and then rebuilt by Balban in 1267. It was again destroyed by Amir Taimur's army in 1398, to be rebuilt in mud by Sultan Mubarak Shah in 1421, then taken and repaired by Shaikh Ali. The present fort, in brick and solid masonry, was built during Akbar's reign between 1556 and 1605. Every succeeding Mughal emperor, as well as the Sikhs and the British, added a pavilion, palace, or wall to the Lahore Fort, making it the only monument in Pakistan which represents a complete history of Mughal architecture.

There are two huge gates in the fortifications, one each in the middle of the east and the west sides. The western gate, known as Alamgiri Gate, is presently used as the main entrance; however, plans are afoot to open the eastern gate, the Fort's Masjidi Gate, to the general public as well. The Masjidi Gate, built in 1666 during Akbar's reign, was the original entrance to the fort and faces the historic Maryam Zamani Mosque. Alamgiri Gate, a magnificent double-storey gate, was built by Emperor Mohiuddin Aurangezeb Alamgir in 1673 and faces the grand Badshahi Mosque and opens into Hazuri Bagh. The imposing semicircular bastions flanking the gateway have lotus petals at their base and are highly fluted, crowned with small, graceful domed kiosks. The fortification wall is built of small burnt bricks strengthened with semicircular bastions at regular intervals.

Although most parts of the Royal Fort were constructed around 1566 A.D. by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar the Great, there is evidence that a mud fort was in existence here in 1021 A.D. as well, when Mahmood of Ghazna invaded this area. Akbar demolished the old mud fort and constructed most of the modern Fort, as we see it today, on the old foundations.

The Royal Fort is rectangular. The main gates are located alongside the centre of the western and eastern walls. Every succeeding Mughal Emperor as well as the Sikhs, and the British in their turn, added a pavilion, palace or wall to the Fort. Emperor Jehangir extended the gardens and constructed the palaces that we see today in the Jehangir?s Quadrangle, while Shah-Jehan added Diwan-e-Khas, Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) and his own Sleeping Chambers. Aurangzeb built the impressive main gate which faces the Hazoori Bagh lying in between the Badshahi Mosque and the Fort. The Famous Sheesh Mahal or Palace of Mirrors is in the north-east corner of the Fort. This is the most beautiful palace in the Fort and is decorated with small mirrors of different colours set.

The part of the wall of the Elephant Steps towards the Fort?s inner gate are scarred by bullet marks, bearing testimony to the Sikh Civil War of 1847 A.D.

The Sleeping Chamber of Mai Jindan houses a very interesting museum with relics from Mughal and the Sikh periods.

nawan kot fort rohi pakistan

2009-02-12T11:43:00.000-08:00

ALTIT FORT AND VILLAGE

2009-02-10T06:42:00.000-08:00

Altit Fort is situated in the village of Altit, about 3 km from Karimabad. It has been built on a sheer rock-cliff that falls 300 meters (1000 feet) into the Hunza River, and is about 100 years older than the nearby Baltit Fort.

Altit Hunza remained the capital village of Hunza for 800 years in history.this is a cultural village where mostly cultural activities can be observed.in ancient time Bo faw(Wheat spreading)festival Ginani Festival and other festivals were celebrated with zeal and zest in this village.
The history of Altit Fort is interesting.Although in ancient time the rulers of this area were not so much rich,but the diginity was there due to rulers.In this situation a princes namely shah khatoon who was the daughter of abdullah khan from Bultistan ruling family got married with a prince of Hunza. that time tha situation of Hunza was very poor even Rulers also.The people who were come with princes told the poor situation of that time of Hunza.Shamim baltistani says that this was happend in 1442.while the date of construction also written on the main gate of fort in sasecret languge,but now people can not read this language.I was talking about the construction of Altit fort,yes when these people discribed the situation infront of abdullah khan ruler of Baltistan who determined to build a glorious house for his daughter.Shah khatoon herself also felt the dearth of residence,So on the request of shah khatoon her father abdullah khan sent a famous construction master namily Alio from baltistan with some experts of construction means labores. some people says the total number of these were 60 and some says more than hundred.Who start this construction work on a rock and complete it in three years.Due to use of material in the form of mud and stones a big water tank which is called Fari in local language came in to existance.Up to60 years before this Fari was exsisted on a wast area atleast 5 cannals but now it has shrinked by people due to lack of cultivated land.Now this water tank Fari has been repeared by AKCSP in 2005-6.in the time of Ayashoo ruling families last Raja (Ruler) shifted this residence to Baltit.Although there was also a fort Baltit Fort was there, divided families of Raja were living there.No one look after of this Fort its distruction was started At the moment AKCSP take resposibility of this Fort,Now renevation work is in progress.We hope this fort will complete with in few years.

rush lake pakistan

2009-02-09T11:35:00.000-08:00

this is one of the best treks in Pakistan where we can see more than 11 peaks over 7000 meters above the sea level and two huge glaciers and ultimate view of k2, mashabrum,g series, sar series and biafo hisper glaciers with snow lake ,

Day 01: Arrival & transfer to Hotel. PM city tour of Rawalpindi & Islamabad.

Day 02: Depart for Besham via Taxila Overnight at Hotel.

Day 03: Drive to Gilgit via Karakoram Highway along the River Indus Overnight at Hotel.

Day 04: Drive by Jeep to Hopar. Overnight in tents.

Day 05: Trek Hopar/Barpu Giram (5/6 hrs).

Day 06: Trek Barpu Giram/Gutens (4/6 hrs).

Day 07: Trek Gutens/Rush Lake (5/6 hrs).

Day 08: Trek Day free at Rush Lake.

Day 09: Trek Rush Lake/Gutens (3/4 hrs).

Day 10: Trek Gutens/Hopar (4/5 hrs). Walk down to Hopar and later drive to Hunza by jeeps. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 11: Hunza AM visit Baltit and Altit Forts. PM free Overnight at Hotel.

Day 12: AM drive to Gilgit. PM free. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 13: Drive to Besham driving on Karakoram Highway. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 14: Drive to Rawalpindi/Islamabad. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 15: Departure.

flora

2009-02-09T08:43:00.000-08:00