Pakistan is among the World’s Best Trip Secrets

Pakistan has always been a focal sight for the world’s media for its many antisocial activities. However, but its tourist attractions are as worthy as any other famous destination across the globe. Believe me! This is a secret hidden from many tourists due to fear and bad impression. However, I tried to explore a few of these attractions, which is alluring and refreshing too.

Be it driving the Karakoram peaks, soaking in its architectural glories, getting lost in the old markets, or strolling in the sophisticated streets – one can find its own choice of sites.

Prime Attractions

Islamabad and Rawalpindi

The twin cities are treated as one but are not alike. Islamabad is the 20th century capital and is comparatively more serene with wide walkways and green gardens. Whereas, Rawalpindi emerged from a broken backwater village on the Grand Trunk Road during the 19th century. We visited the following places.

• Ayub National Park:
  Offering stunning walking paths, gardens, and lakes for boating (on hire); we reached here by catching a Suzuki from Rawalpindi that left us at some 1 km away at the Kucheri Chowk.
• Daman-e-Koh:
  This is the famous picnic spot in the Margalla Hills that offers a splendid view over Islamabad with the captivating Shah Faisal Mosque to the Salt Range in south (if the day is clear). Catch an intercity minibus at 7th Ave and then a Suzuki at Khayaban-e-Iqbal.
• Shah Faisal Mosque:
  This is a breathtaking monument at the base of the Margalla Hills. It is one of the largest mosques in Asia that is adorned with ultramodern and traditional styles. Possessing sloping roofs, the prayer hall and courtyard can accommodate 1,00,000 people and it was a present of the Saudi Arabian King Faisal.

• Lok Virsa Museum:
  Watch out for the traditional handicrafts – embroidered costumes, ancient jewelry, and woodcarvings. In the library, there are various materials on history, art, crafts, traditional music, and ethnography.
• Margalla Hills:
  These are famous for hiking paths from the forested valleys down to the peaks up. This can range from a short walk to a three-day adventure. My tip here would be to take plenty of water and take somebody along with you.

• Nurpur Shahan Village:
  Located at 4 km from Diplomatic Enclave, this is a shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi also called Bari Shah Latif (Bari Imam), who was a 17th century Sufi preacher. On Thursday evenings, a festive environ is created with pilgrims and qawwali – Islamic devotional songs. Kindly dress properly (no shorts are allowed).
• Pakistan Army Museum:
  Located near the Army Library and at the rear of the Pearl Continental Hotel, it exhibits interesting items of prehistoric times such as rifles, swords (even Turkish ones), Stone Age hand-axes, a Russian missile system, and an Australian harpoon.
• Shakarparian and Pakistan Monument:
  Shakarparian refers to the urban wilderness in the south that houses trees set by several foreign heads, carved gardens, and scenery of the twin cities from the east. The imposing reddish-brown granite monument here is the symbol of the nation’s diversity with unity. Decorated by gardens and shaped as an opening flower, the four petals indicates Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and its three smaller petals representing other regions with Kashmir.
• Saidpur:
  Located to the east of the zoo in Margalla at 1 km, this is a former Hindu village quite popular for its pottery ware.
• Murree:
  This is the cool hill station famous since the British period.

Harappa

This is the important Indus Valley civilization site having its origin in the 3rd century B.C. A challenging trip, many visitors accept this to feel its serene environs. The excavated site is full of protective walls, a drainage system, a burial land, and a vast granary. However, much of it is missing due to its use in the houses and the railway lines. Currently, one can walk on the path that pulls your eyes on the existing excavations with English narration.

Do not miss the interesting Harappa Museum where you can see collections of the cemetery, engraved carnelian beads, shell items, stone devices, domestic equipments, pottery, toys, earthenware, seals of Moenjodaran script, stone weights, and articles from other valley sites. For eager people to know more about this ancient civilization, the museum also vends a brochure for 200 Rs named The Glory that was Harappa, by Dr FA Khan.

Karachi

Karachi is among the most varied and modern cities in the country. Despite facing frequent power cuts and jammed traffic, it is still thrilling where a few days will reveal more about life and diverse culture than any other sights or treks.

• Clifton Beach:
  This is the most crowded beach that is good for walking, not swimming. It’s more fun to come on Sundays.
• Ziarat of Abdullah Shah Gazi:
  Located on a hill above Clifton Beach, this is a green-domed shrine of a 9th century Sufi where on Thursday evenings qawwali takes place.
• Do not miss to feel the healing power of the freshwater spring below the shrine.
• Defense Housing Authority Mosque (Masjid-i-Tuba):
  This is a noteworthy monument of 1960s hold under an extensive white marble dome (the largest in the world) with no other columns or vaults. The dome is adorned with innumerable mirror tiles in its thermal interior that make you feel as the shining stars.
• Empress Market:
  Named after Queen Victoria, Empress of India; this holds a Gothic-Mughal-style clock tower as the main landmark and hustling stalls.
• The Anglican Holy Trinity Cathedral:
  Belonging to the British Raj architecture, this church possess attractive plaques dedicated to the brave British soldiers.
• Jinnah House Museum:
  Previously the Flag Staff House of the Mohammed Ali Jinah, this is a beautiful museum where you can view the Jinnah and Fatima’s (sister) personal living apartments with furniture and accompaniments.
• National Museum of Pakistan:
  Look for a two-million-year-old Stone Age axe of the Potwar Plateau and other artifacts. Here, the ‘Freedom Movement’ gallery offers photos and newspaper articles of the Independence movement.

Best Time to Visit

October to February and June to August

Accommodations

• Al-Azam Hotel at Rawalpindi – Budget
• Al-Baddar Hotel at Rawalpindi – Mid-range
• Al-Hateem International Hotel at Rawalpindi – Budget
• Hotel Dilkusha at Murree – Top end
• Hotel Ornate at Murree – Medium budget
• Marriott Hotel at Karachi – 4 star at $145
• Pearl Continental at Karachi – 5 star Hotel at $195
• Hotel Karachi – Budget
• Hotel Reliance in Karachi – Budget