PAKISTAN

Today’s modern Pakistan emerged as an independent sovereign state in August 1947. The land of Pakistan (area 8,03,950 sq meters (including FATA and FANA), population nearly 150 million) is rich in landscapes and cultural tradition. Historically this is one of the most ancient lands known to man. Its cities flourished before Babylon was built; its people practiced the art of good living and civilization before the celebrated ancient Greeks. Pakistan traces its history back to at least 2500 years before Christ. Excavations at Harappa, Moenjodaro and Kot Diji have brought to light evidence of an advanced Indus civilization.

Sightseeing around
Islamabad and Rawalpindi

Constitution Avenue
A drive up on Constitution Avenue will show you the Parliament House, President House, Supreme Court Building, Prime Minister Secretariat, Central Board of Revenue, Pakistan Broadcasting House, Pakistan Television Headquarter and some other buildings which are fine specimen of modern architecture.

Shah Faisal Mosque
This beautiful Mosque was designed by the renowned Turkish Architect, Vedat Dalakay and named after the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. It is spread over 189,705 sq.meters with 88-meters high minarets and 40-meters high main prayer room. The main prayer hall can accommodate 10,000 people while the covered porticos and verandahs can take over 24,000 worshipers. The main courtyard has space for 40,000 people.

Shakarparian
A beautiful picnic spot 13 kms from Rawalpindi, giving a birds eye view of Islamabad.

Lok Virsa
The Lok Virsa (National Institute of traditional heritage) works towards preserving the living folk and traditional culture of Pakistan. Its Folk Heritage Museum, located near Shakarparian Hills, has a large display of embroidered costumes, jewelery, woodcraft, metalwork, block printing, ivory and bone work.

Daman-e-Koh
A terraced garden in the Margalla Hills, Daman-Koh offers a panoramic view of Islamabad.

Rawal lake
Not far from Shakarparian is Rawal Dam, which is ideal for picnic and boating.

Hassan Abdal
Hassan Abdal is located 48 kms from Rawalpindi. This town remained a holy place for various religious groups through the ages. It has a Sikh Gurdwara (temple) known as Panja Sahab, having a sacred rock with the hand print of Sikh religious leader, Guru Nanak. Just opposite the eastern gate of Gurdwara Panja Sahab, there is a small mosque and chilla gah (meditation cell) of Baba Wali Qandhari, a 15th century Muslim Saint. Behind the mosque is a fresh water pond with big Mahasheer fish.


Shah Faisal Mosque


Rawal lake


Hassan Abdal


Taxila


The Old City Bazaars
The bazaars of Rawalpindi, the Saddar Bazaar, the Raja Bazaar and Murree Road have a lot to offer. At Sarafa Bazaar one can buy virtually anything. For souvenirs and handicrafts, the Mall Road and the Twin City market on Murree Road are recommended.

Margalla Pass
This small pass is located 26 km west of Islamabad on GT road. There is an obelisk right on the top of the pass built in 1890, in memory of Brig. Gen. John. Nicholson (died on 23 Sep. 1857) of the British army, by his colleagues.

Taxila
Taxila is 35 km from Islamabad. Most of the archaeological sites of Taxila (600 BC to 500 AD) are located around Taxila Museum. For over one thousand years, Taxila remained famous as a center of learning for the Gandhara art of sculpture, architecture, structure, education and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist glory. Taxila museum has rich archaeological finds and is considered one of the best and well-mentioned site museums of Pakistan.

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