![\"pakistan.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/www.asianinny.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/11\/pakistan.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPakistan has been on the brink of being tourism\u2019s \u2018next big thing\u2019 for more years than we care to remember. It\u2019s a destination that has so much to offer visitors, from some of the highest and most spectacular mountain ranges in…<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pakistan has been on the brink of being tourism\u2019s \u2018next big thing\u2019 for more years than we care to remember. It\u2019s a destination that has so much to offer visitors, from some of the highest and most spectacular mountain ranges in the world to the architectural glories of the Mughal empire, and ancient bazaars to soul-spinning musical mystics.<\/p>\n
Weather
\nPakistan has three main seasons: cool (around October to February), hot (around March to June) and wet\/monsoon (around July to September). There are, however, big regional variations.<\/p>\n
When to go
\nClimate is the key factor in deciding when and where to travel in Pakistan. There are generally three seasons: cool (around October to February), hot (around March to June) and wet\/monsoon (around July to September). There are, however, distinct regional variations, described further in some of the regional chapters. The trekking season starts in late April and finishes by late October, peaking from mid-June to mid-September.<\/p>\n
In all seasons, the \u2018continental\u2019 climate can mean big day-to-night temperature differences. Roughly speaking, Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab and the south of North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) are most pleasant to visit from around November to February (it can get chilly at night, particularly in December and January). Note that Balochistan gets bitterly cold at the height of winter and may even see snow in January. Northern NWFP, the Northern Areas and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) are generally at their best from around May to October (although occasionally stormy), but are more or less snowbound in winter, when accessibility can be difficult. The monsoon sweeps in from around July through September, bringing bouts of heavy rain and oppressive, sauna-like humidity. The tail end of the southwest monsoon dumps steady rain across the central and eastern plains and as far north as Swat, Indus Kohistan, the Kaghan Valley and AJK. But the monsoon does not reach much further and, despite random thunderstorms, this is not a bad time to go north.<\/p>\n
June, July and August are generally the peak months for domestic tourism, when many locals flock to the resort towns in northern Pakistan to escape the sweltering heat of the plains. Three especially popular areas \u2013 the Kaghan Valley, Upper Swat and the Galis \u2013 can get exceptionally crowded during this time. For those traveling to or from China, be aware that the Khunjerab Pass is officially closed to travelers from 15 November until 1 May. Heavy snow may even close it sooner and for longer.<\/p>\n
You may wish to incorporate a festival or three into your itinerary; keep in mind that during Ramazan (Ramadan), business hours can be affected and most eateries close during daylight hours.<\/p>\n
Official\u2019s advice against traveling to Pakistan during the country\u2019s major national election campaigns, as travel routes may experience disruptions and political expression can sometimes take a volatile turn.<\/p>\n
Ramadan ( Sept \u2013 annual)
\nThe ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar is devoted to fasting and is observed by Muslims throughout the world as one of the “five pillars” of the religion.
\nThe other four are the declaration of faith, prayer, charity (Zakat), and the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Makkah.<\/p>\n
For an entire lunar month of 30 days, devout Muslims are forbidden to eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. The prohibition also extends to other pleasurable consumptions, like cigarettes, and activities such as sex.<\/p>\n
The beginning of the observance is calculated by the lunar calendar, which is shorter than the Western Gregorian calendar. Every year Ramadan slides a couple of weeks back through the calendar, until it has covered the entire year.<\/p>\n
Note: the dates provided here for Ramadan are general, and may vary by one or two days in some places. This is partly because Ramadan may be taken to be governed not by the actual astronomical phases of the moon, but with the moon’s sighting in the sky. Conditions of low visibility can thus shift the dates for the fast.<\/p>\n
The fast itself can take many different forms, depending on which country you find yourself in, for example, but more distinct are the feasts at the end of the fast, often called Eid al-Fitr (or Hari Raya in Malaysia; the name of the festival can change depending on where you find yourself).<\/p>\n
The reasons for this observance are varied. Throughout the varied worlds of Islam, it provides a unifying practice which all believers, whatever their nationality or particular creed, are meant to take part in. It reminds men of the benevolence of Allah, who gave the Quran to mankind in this month, and of the need for submission to Allah, or God. The emphasis on gratitude to Allah serves to remind the Muslim of the duty of charity towards the less fortunate, one of the pillars of Islam ( Zakat). In some places it is customary at the end of Ramadan to pay a “charity tax” to the poor.<\/p>\n
The month is meant to represent a disciplining and purification of the body and soul, as well as a growing closer to Allah. As it says in the Quran, “Oh ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may learn self restraint.”<\/p>\n
Theologically speaking, a number of “mythical” things are said to happen during this month: those who have fasted are forgiven their sins on the last night of the month, because the Angels have incessantly asked Allah for forgiveness on their behalf for as long as they fasted. The devils are chained and the doorways to Hell are locked up, while the gates of Paradise open to the faithful.<\/p>\n
Non-fasting visitors should exercise a modicum of cultural sensitivity during Ramadan, since breaking the tenets of the fast in public can cause offence. After Ramadan is over, everyone can enjoy the joyous, relaxed atmosphere.<\/p>\n
Sights
\nMoenjodaro – Of the 165 sites of the Indus Valley civilisation so far uncovered, the remarkable ancient city of Moenjodaro is by far the most impressive visually and archaeologically. Except for the stupa, all of the present layer of excavation is from around 2500 BC. There’s also a museum containing relics from the site, including engraved seals and terracotta toys.
\nPrice: full – Pakistan Rupee400.00
\n28km from Larkana
\nSindh Province
\ninfo – 480082
\nOpen: Apr-Nov Sat-Thu 08:30-17:00, Fri 08:30-12:30 & 14:30-17:00; Dec-Mar Sat-Thu 09:00-16:00, Fri 09:00-12:30 & 14:30-16:00<\/p>\n
Takht-i-Bahi
\nBy far the best and most complete of the ruins of the Gandhara region, which once flourished in the remote valleys of Peshawar and Swat, are those of the 1st to 7th century AD Buddhist monastery Takht-i-Bahi, spectacularly positioned on a rocky hill. It was excavated (and stripped of statuary and friezes) from 1907 to 1913, and later reconstructed.
\nPrice: full – Pakistan Rupee4.00
\n15km north of Mardan
\nChaukundi
\nGraveyards stretch for many kilometres along the coast around Karachi, but the largest and most impressive tombs and mausoleums are concentrated at Chaukundi. The buildings are constructed of slabs of rock, stacked into oblong pyramids of cubical stone and carved with exquisite designs.
\nPrice: free
\nNational Hwy
\n27km east of Karachi<\/p>\n
Currency
\nThe unit of Pakistani money is the rupee (Rs), divided into 100 paisa. Paper notes come in denominations of Rs 5000, Rs 1000, Rs 500, Rs 100, Rs 50, Rs 20 and Rs 10, and there are Rs 5, Rs 2 and Rs 1 coins. Very worn or tattered notes or those with pen scribbles on them may sometimes be refused so it\u2019s best not to accept them in the first place. The Rs 5000, Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes can be a headache (few people seem to have change handy), so ask for smaller notes when you buy your rupees.<\/p>\n
Exchanging money
\nMost major foreign currencies can be exchanged in the larger cities and towns of Pakistan. US dollars are the most widely accepted currency, followed by UK pounds and euros. It\u2019s advisable to compare rates between banks and private moneychangers as they can vary. You usually have to present your passport whenever you change money, so carry it along. Always count notes before leaving the bank and return any ripped ones as these can be difficult to get rid of. Note that some travellers have reported difficulty in changing worn foreign notes, especially US dollars.<\/p>\n
Getting There And Away
\nMost flights from European and Asian centres arrive in Karachi, though a few also go to Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Gwadar (Balochistan). Much more interesting is the overland route. A railway links Lahore with the Indian railway system through Amritsar, and another from Quetta crosses briefly into Iran. After the Grand Trunk Road, the most famous road into Pakistan is the Karakoram Highway, over the 4730m (15,514ft) Khunjerab Pass from Kashgar in China; roads also run from India and Iran. A bus service between Delhi and Lahore is also up and running.<\/p>\n
Getting Around
\nGetting around Pakistan is not always comfortable, but it’s incredibly cheap. The state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has scheduled flights to many domestic terminals and daily connections between the major centres. One of the bonuses of flying is that some of the air routes, especially to the northern areas and Chitral, are spectacular. Buses go anywhere, anytime – but the treacherous mountain roads make the going very tough. Vans, wagons, pick-ups and jeeps are also popular forms of road transport. Train travel is slower and easier on the nerves but there are no routes into the mountains. City transport is dominated by buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws and two-wheeled, horse-drawn tongas.<\/p>\n
Pre 20th Century History
\nThe first inhabitants of Pakistan were Stone Age peoples in the Potwar Plateau (northwest Punjab). They were followed by the sophisticated Indus Valley (or Harappan) civilisation which flourished between the 23rd to 18th centuries BC. Semi-nomadic peoples then arrived, and by the 9th century BC they had spread across northern Pakistan-India. Their Vedic religion was the precursor of Hinduism, and their rigid division of labour an early caste system.<\/p>\n
In 327 BC Alexander the Great came over the Hindu Kush to finish off the remnants of the defeated Persian empire. Although his visit was short, some tribes tell picturesque legends in which they claim to be descended from Alexander and his troops. Later came the heyday of the Silk Route, a period of lucrative trade between China, India and the Roman empire. The Kushans were at the centre of the silk trade and established the capital of their Gandhara kingdom at Peshawar. By the 2nd century AD they had reached the height of their power, with an empire that stretched from eastern Iran to the Chinese frontier and south to the Ganges River. The Kushans were Buddhist and under King Kanishka built thousands of monasteries and stupas. Soon Gandhara became both a place of trade and of religious study and pilgrimage – the Buddhist ‘holy’ land.
\nThe Kushan empire had unravelled by the 4th century and was subsequently absorbed by the Persian Sassanians, the Gupta dynasty, Hephthalites from Central Asia, and Turkic and Hindu Shahi dynasties. The next strong central power was the Mughals who reigned during the 16th and 17th centuries. A succession of rulers introduced sweeping reforms, ending Islam’s supremacy as a state religion, encouraging the arts, building fanciful houses and, in a complete volte-face, returning the state to Islam once again.<\/p>\n
In 1799 a young and ambitious Sikh named Ranjit Singh was granted governorship of Lahore. Over the next few decades he proceeded to parlay this entity into a small empire, fashioning a religious brotherhood of ‘holy brothers’ into the most formidable army on the subcontinent. In the course of his rule, Ranjit had agreed to stay out of British territory – roughly southeast of the Sutlej River – if they in turn left him alone. But his death in 1839 and his successor’s violation of the treaty plunged the Sikhs into war. The British duly triumphed, annexing Kashmir, Ladakh, Baltistan and Gilgit and renaming them the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Thus they created a buffer state to Russian expansionism in the northwest and, unwittingly, introduced what would transpire to be the subcontinent’s most unmanageable curse. A second war against the British in 1849 brought the empire to an end, and the annexation of the Punjab and the Sindh in the 1850s; these were ceded to the British Raj in 1857.<\/p>\n
Modern History
\nNational self-awareness began growing in British India in the latter stages of the 19th century. In 1906 the Muslim League was founded to demand an independent Muslim state, but it wasn’t until 24 years later that a totally separate Muslim homeland was proposed. Around the same time, a group of England-based Muslim exiles coined the name Pakistan, meaning ‘Land of the Pure’. After violence between Hindus and Muslims escalated in the mid-1940s, the British were forced to admit that a separate Muslim state was unavoidable. The new viceroy, Lord Louis Mountbatten, announced that independence would come by June 1948.<\/p>\n
British India was dutifully carved up into a central, largely Hindu region retaining the name India, and a Muslim East (present-day Bangladesh) and West Pakistan. The announcement of the boundaries sparked widespread carnage and one of the largest migrations of people in history. Kashmir (properly The State of Jammu and Kashmir), though, was procrastinating about which country to join. When India and Pakistan sent troops into the recalcitrant state, war erupted between the two countries. In 1949 a UN-brokered cease-fire gave each country a piece of Kashmir to administer, but ultimate control still remains unclear.<\/p>\n
Mohammed Ali Jinnah, a prime mover of Muslim independence, became Pakistan’s first governor general but died barely a year into his new country’s independence. His deputy and friend Liaqat Ali Khan replaced him but was assassinated three years later. What followed was a muddle of quarrelling governors general and prime ministers and a severe economic slump. In 1956 Pakistan finally produced a constitution and became an Islamic republic. West Pakistan’s provinces were amalgamated into a single entity similar to that in East Pakistan. Two years later President Iskander Mirza – fed up with the bickering and opportunism that pervaded Pakistani politics – abrogated the constitution, banned political parties and declared martial law. Pakistan has remained in this prolonged state of emergency, in one form or another, ever since.<\/p>\n
The next two decades saw Pakistan racked by further war with India over Kashmir, civil war between the east and west, the declaration of Bangladeshi independence, another war with India and the execution of one of its most charismatic prime ministers, Z A Bhutto. In 1977 Bhutto’s chief of staff, General Muhammad Zia ul-Haq, took control, insinuating himself successfully with the USA (thereby gaining valuable foreign aid) and being widely feted as a hero of the free world. His death in an air crash in 1988 opened the way for Bhutto’s daughter, Benazir, to claim victory in the next election, the first elected woman to head an Islamic country. She was toppled soon after but was voted back into power in 1993.<\/p>\n
Benazir Bhutto travelled widely, trumpeting Pakistan’s investment potential and casting herself, and her country, as role models for the modern Islamic state. Her place in the hearts of her own people though was endangered by a culture of official corruption. She was dismissed as prime minister in November 1996 by President Farooq Leghari. Elections held in early 1997 returned her opponent Nawaz Sharif. After India conducted nuclear tests in May 1998, Pakistan responded in kind two weeks later, detonating five nuclear devices in southwestern Balochistan. International condemnation was widespread, and sanctions placed intense strain on the country’s economy.<\/p>\n
It was the ‘ruined economy’ that General Pervez Musharraf cited as the main reason for his bloodless coup that took place in October 1999. The military stepped in, deposed Nawaz Sharif and then took control of most of Pakistan’s institutions. Musharraf issued a thinly veiled warning to India not to meddle in their internal affairs, with the result that tension over nuclear capabilities between the two countries (and the continuing dispute over Kashmir) was screwed up a notch.<\/p>\n