Read out what others are saying about Pakistan!

I once called Pakistan "A castle with a thousand doors", for one can enter it from many sides, and once one has lived in it one discovers the same reality reflected in innumerable small mirrors of different colours... Karin Mittmann knows Pakistan and loves it, and any critical remarks are born of love and a deep feeling for the people and their values. I owe her unforgettable insights into the life of modern Pakistan, which supplement my own experiences as an interpreter of classical Pakistani and Indo-Muslim culture.'

- Annemarie Schimmel, Professor of Indo-Muslim Culture at Harvard University.



The Unexplored South:
The southern half of Pakistan is rarely visited in any great detail by tourists, though it also conceals many fascinating attractions. Explore the mysterious Cholistan desert by jeep, or better still, by camel. Discover isolated desert fortresses with a 'lost-in-time' feel about them, abandoned cities and tombs that the outside world appears to have passed by, or the tented settlements of nomadic tribes scratching a living out of this harsh environment. Enjoy a cup of tea on the banks of the mighty Indus as it flows down through the heartlands of Pakistan, or cycle along shady, tree-lined canals that branch from this river, its life-giving waters transforming the vast surrounding plains into fertile farmland. Marvel at the rugged beauty of Baluchistan's inhospitable landscape, or venture into the bizarre moonscape of the Makran coastal region.

- Dave Winter writes in his book "Footprint Pakistan Handbook"



It's not one you will forget easily!
Most people are afraid to visit countries like Pakistan. The images from TV channels and newspapers seem to flash through their minds-religious fanatics who hate America, guns, violence, intolerance. But what is it really like visiting Pakistan? Is the country really as bad as it is shown?

The Aryans were the first tourists to come and settle in ancient Pakistan. They liked it so much so that they never went back. Invaders and other settlers too came. The Persians, Greeks, Huns, Arabs, Turks, Mongols all came. All of which have given Pakistan a unique blend of different cultures and an extremely rich heritage.

Pakistani people have different cultures, traditions and customs and even languages. Although Urdu is the national language of Pakistan there are a whole variety of languages spoken. Pakistan's people display amazing contrasts in terms of their colour, race, clothing, languages and even religion.

The people are diverse and so is the land. The unforgiving deserts in Punjab and Sindh have sizzling temperatures. The snow topped mountains in the northern areas are a huge tourist attraction. Unspoiled natural beauty is one of Pakistan's biggest attractions.

Pakistan is a mesmerizing, captivating place to visit but still has not managed to become a major tourist attraction. This is a loss to the tourism industry because if promoted properly it could become a major hotspot for tourists and lessen the divide between East and West. To those who say Pakistan is dangerous I would ask if they could name me a single place in the world where there is zero danger? Even in the US, Europe and leading nations there is still danger. Just use your common sense and research and enjoy your visit to Pakistan. It's not one you will forget easily.

- by Amreen



Must see places in Pakistan!
Pakistan is a beautiful country that offers a great diversity of culture, landscapes and recreation. Within Pakistan there are several places that on must visit on his or her tour here. From developed cities like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to undeveloped cultural natural adorned regions like swat, Marakan, Mohen jo Daro, Thata and the like are found in Pakistan. There are some of the world's most beautiful peaks such as K2, Hispar and Siachin that see a lot of tourists from around the world annually for hiking and adventurous purposes. With so much to discover and know, it gets quite confusing for one to know what to see and what not to. Therefore, I have compiled a list of the must see places in Pakistan according to their categories that at any cost a tourist should see.

Historical Places:
Pakistan was a part of India that has a history dating thousands of years back. So, Pakistan has some of the very ancient monuments, graveyards, and even cities. One of the most amusing places that you must see is Mohen jo Daro and Harapa. These cities are thought to be around four thousand years old. They were recently discovered and were thought to be buried completely by a sand storm. They are located by the banks of the Indus River and are 400 miles far from each other. Both of the cities give you the feel and tell you what the Indus Civilization was like. Another old city of Pakistan that needs to be seen is Taxila. It is located in the province of Punjab is dated back to the rise of Buddhism. These three cities or locations are considered amongst the world's best archeological sites.

Natural beauty spots in the Northern Regions:
I must say that the northern regions of Pakistan are totally exciting and delightful to be at. All of the locations and cities there are amazing and with the less amount of development they are totally natural. However, my favorite spot amongst all is the Saif ul Mulk Lake. The lake gained its popularity after a fairy tale called 'Saif ul Mulk' according to which the lake was so beautiful that the angels and fairies spent their time there. Saif ul Mulk is located in Naran. Apart from this, The Swat Valley is another beautiful place to be at. The rest of the places in the northern areas that need to be seen include the Marakn Coastline, The Silk Road, Hunza (an amazing small district with rich cultural heritage), and the K2 peak. The northern areas also have some of the largest glaciers of the world to show present around Siachin (one of the world's coldest peak) and Hispar.

The Urban City life:
The urban life of Pakistan which can be found in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad has its own fun. Karachi is a business city that is well developed and offers a lot of recreational activities where as Lahore on the other side offers a blend of modernized and cultural recreational activities.

- by Umaima Ejaz



Islamabad - the capital of Pakistan!
Combining a rich cultural history, spectacular scenic beauty and temperate climate, Islamabad - the capital city of Pakistan, is one of the most beautiful cities in the South Asian region. Wide, tree-lined streets adorn the various sectors and zones of the city, making it accessible and spectacular. It became the new capital of Pakistan after Karachi and settlement in Islamabad began in the 1960s. A meticulously planned city by renowned town planners Doxiadis Associates, Islamabad is fast becoming a true metropolitan.

Pir Sohawa and Daman-e-koh:
These hills overlooking Islamabad offer a sweeping, panoramic view of the capital. The place is ideal for afternoon and evening outing with family and friends. Its beauty is enhanced by the greenery and flowers at different sites. High quality restaurants, good food, live music, hiking trails and lush green hillsides make it a favorite place for local and foreign tourist alike.

The Faisal Mosque:
The mosque is situated against the backdrop of the picturesque Margalla Hills. Its construction on an elevated terraced land ensures its visibility during day and night for miles around. It is dedicated to the memory of the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia who graciously defrayed the cost of the project as a gift to the people of Pakistan.

The mosque at its inception was conceptualized as the national mosque of the Islamic nation and was intended to symbolize the hopes and aspiration of Pakistan. The Turkish architect, Vedat Dalokay's design was selected through an international.

- By Gulrukh Tausif