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Pakistan
Pakistan is situated between 24 and 37 degrees Latitudes and between 61 and 75.5 degrees Longitude. China in the North, Afghanistan and Iran in the West and India in the east are the surrounding countries. Arabian Sea lying in it's south having a coastline of 1000 kms length with fascinating beaches. Pakistan is connected with China via land by Karakoram Highway along the famous Silk Route. It is also linked with India by air and road. Afghanistan and Iran have air and road links with Pakistan.

From the mighty stretches of the Karakorams in the North to the vast alluvial delta of the Indus River in the South, Pakistan remains a land of high adventure and nature. Trekking, mountaineering, white water rafting, wild boar hunting, mountain and desert jeep safaris, camel and yak safaris, trout fishing and bird watching are a few activities, which entice the adventure and nature lovers to Pakistan.

Situated in the heart of the South Asian sub-continent, it is a country with its own fascinating history and cultural heritage. Pakistan was the site for one of the world's earliest human settlements, the great prehistoric Indus Valley Civilization, the crucible of ancient empires, religions and cultures. Pakistan traces its history back to 2,500 years B.C. when a highly developed civilization flourished in the Indus Valley. Excavations at Harappa, Moenjodaro, Kot Diji and Mehr Garh have brought to light, the evidence of an advanced civilization existing even in more ancient times.

History of Pakistan

 
Pakistan traces its history back to 2,500 years BC, when a highly developed civilization flourished in the Indus Valley. Excavations at Harappa, Moenjodaro, Kot Diji and Mehrgarh have brought to light, the evidence of an advanced civilization existing even in more ancient times. Around 1,500 BC, the Aryans overwhelmed this region and influenced the earlier civilization, whose centre moved to the Ganges Valley, further east. Later, the Persians occupied the northern region between 5th century BC. and 2nd century AD. The Greeks came in 327 BC, under Alexander of Macedonia, and passed through like a meteor. In 711 AD, the Arabs, led by Muhammad Bin Qasim, landed at Debal near modern Banbhore and ruled the lower half of Pakistan for 200 years. During this time, Islam took roots in the soil and influenced the life, culture and traditions of the people.

In the 10th century AD, began the systematic conquest of South Asia by the Muslims from Central Asia, who ruled here upto the 18th century. Then the British came and ruled for nearly a century over what is Pakistan now. The Muslim revival began towards the end of the 19th century when Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, a renowned Muslim leader and  educationist, launched a movement for intellectual renaissance of the Muslims of South Asia. In 1930, well known poet-philosopher, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, conceived the idea of a separate state for the Muslims of South Asia. In 1940, a resolution was passed by the All India Muslim League, demanding a separate independent home land for the Muslims. After seven years of un-tiring struggle under the brilliant leadership of Quaid-e-Azam (the great leader) Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan emerged on the world map as a sovereign state, on 14th August, 1947.

Geography of Pakistan

 
Pakistan is situated between latitude 24 and 37 degrees North and longitude 61 and 75 degrees East. The country is bounded to the west by Iran, to the south-east by India, Afghanistan to the north-west, China to the north-east and the Arabian Sea to the south. The great mountain ranges of the Himalayas, the Karakorams and the Hindukush form Pakistan’s northern highlands of North West Frontier Province and the Northern Areas. Punjab province is a flat, alluvial plain with five major rivers dominating the upper region eventually joining the River Indus flowing south to the Arabian Sea. Sindh is bounded to the east by the Thar Desert and the Rann of Kutch and to the west by the Kirthar range.  Balochistan Plateau is an arid tableland, encircled by dry mountains.
 

Economy

 
Pakistan is a developing country which has faced a number of challenges on both political and economic fronts. Despite being a very poor country in 1947, Pakistan's economic growth rate was better than the global average during the subsequent four decades, but imprudent policies led to a slowdown in the late 1990s. Recently, wide-ranging economic reforms have resulted in a stronger economic outlook and accelerated growth especially in the manufacturing and financial services sectors. There has been great improvement in the foreign exchange position and rapid growth in hard currency reserves in recent years. The 2005 estimate of foreign debt was close to US$40 billion. However, this has decreased in recent years with assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and debt-relief from the United States. Pakistan's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2005 was estimated at US$404.6 billion and its per capita GDP was US$2,400. Pakistan's GDP growth rates have seen a steady increase over the last 5 years. In 2001, the country's GDP growth rate was at 1.8%, but in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2005, the nominal GDP growth rate peaked at 8.4%. This put Pakistan's growth rate as the second-highest after China, among the ten most populous countries in the world. However, inflationary pressures and a below par savings rate, among other economic factors, would make it difficult to sustain a high growth rate.

The growth of non-agricultural sectors has changed the structure of the economy, and agriculture now only accounts for roughly 20% of the GDP. The service sector accounts for 53% of the country's GDP with wholesale and retail trade forming 30% of this sector. In recent times, the Karachi Stock Exchange has soared, along with most of the world's emerging markets. Large amounts of foreign invesmentments have been made into several industries. The top industries in Pakistan are telecom, software, automotives, textiles, cement, fertilizer, steel, ship building, and more recently, aerospace.
 
Climate

 
Pakistan has well defined seasons. Winter (December - February), Spring (March - April), Summer (May - September) and Autumn (October - November). During Summer in central and southern parts of the country, the temperature may go as high as 45 C. However, the Northern regions have very pleasant weather during Summer. Between July and August, the monsoon brings an average 38 to 51 cm of rain to the plains and 152 to 203 cm in lower Himalayan valleys of Murree, Kaghan, Swat and Azad Kashmir. 

 
Tourist Attraction
 
Pakistan is a destination of special interest for travelers and tourists. Its main attractions include adventure tourism in the Northern Areas, cultural and archaeological tourism as found at Taxila, Moenjodaro, Harappa, Swat, along the Karakoram Highway and early Muslim and Mughal heritage of Multan, Lahore, Thatta and Peshawar. From the mighty Karakorams in the North to the vast alluvial delta of the Indus River in the South, Pakistan remains a land of high adventure and nature. Trekking, mountaineering, white water rafting, wild boar hunting, mountain and desert jeep, Camel and Yak safaris, trout fishing and bird watching, are among the few activities that entice the adventure and nature lovers to Pakistan.

Northern Pakistan
Northern Areas of Pakistan, spread over 72,496 sq. km are the most  fascinating regions of natural beauty. Amidst towering snow-clad peaks with heights varying from 1,000 to 8,000 m, the valleys of Gilgit, Hunza and Baltistan recall Shangri-La. The cultural patterns of these regions are as interesting as their geography. The people with typical costumes, folk dances, music and sports like polo and buzkashi, provide the tourist an unforgettable experience. Nowhere else in the world is such a great concentration of high mountains, peaks, glaciers and passes except in Pakistan. Of the 14 over 8,000 meters high peaks on earth, 04 occupy an amphitheater at the head of Baltoro glacier in the Karakoram range. These are; K-2 (8,611 m, world’s second highest), Gasherbrum-I (8,068 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m) and Gasherbrum-II (8,035 m). There is yet another which is equally great, Nanga Parbat (8,125 m), located at the western most end of the Himalayas. In addition to that, there are 68 peaks over 7,000 m and hundreds others over 6,000 m. Northern Pakistan has some of the longest glaciers such as Siachen (74 km), Hispar (59 km), Biafo (59 km), Baltoro (58 km) and Batura (52 km) outside the Polar region.

The Silk Route
For centuries, the Silk Route remained the main trading route between the South Asia and the Central Asia. After the completion of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) in 1978 along the same route, joining Pakistan with Chinese Muslim autonomous region of Xinjiang, the ancient trade link has been revived. The KKH has provided a great opportunity for international travellers to explore the un-spoilt natural beauty, unique culture and ancient traditions of Northern Pakistan together with other Silk Road countries like China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Indus Valley Civilization
The Indus Valley Civilization was at its peak from the 3rd till the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. Discovered in 1922, Moenjodaro was once a metropolis of great importance,  forming part of the Indus Valley Civilization with Harappa (discovered in 1923) Kot Diji and  Mehrgarh (discovered in 1984).

Moenjodaro is considered as one of the most spectacular ancient cities of the World. It had mud baked bricks buildings, an elaborate covered drainage system, a large state granary, a spacious pillared hall, a College of Priests, a palace and a citadel. Harappa, another major city of the Indus Valley Civilization, was surrounded by a massive brick wall fortification. Other features and plan of the city were similar to that of Moenjodaro. The Kot Diji  culture is marked by well-made pottery and houses built of mud-bricks and stone foundations.

Mehrgarh, the oldest Civilization (7,000 B.C), remains of which were discovered in the district Kachhi of Balochistan in 1984, was the pioneer of the Indus Valley Civilization. The evidence of crop cultivation, animal husbandry and human settlements have been found here. The inhabitant of Mehrgarh were living in mud-brick houses and learned to make pottery around 6,000 B.C.

Gandhara Civilization
Gandhara region the hallowed centre of Buddhism, had once been the cradle of the world famous Gandhara art, culture and knowledge. The archaeological remains found in Taxila, Peshawar, Charsadda, Shahbaz Garhi, Jamal Garhi, Takht Bahi, Swat and rock carvings along the ancient Silk Road (KKH) have well recorded the history of Gandhara.

Lying in Haro river valley near Islamabad, Taxila, the main centre of Gandhara, is over 3,000 years old. Taxila attracted the attention of the great conqueror, Alexander in 327 B.C., when it was a province of the powerful Achaemenian Empire. It later came under the Maurian dynasty and reached a remarkable matured level of development under the great Ashoka. Then appeared the Indo-Greek descendants of Alexander’s warriors and finally came the most creative period of Gandhara. The Kushan dynasty was established in about 50 AD. During the next 200 years, Taxila, Peshawar and Swat became a renowned centre of learning philosophy, art and trade. Pilgrims and travellers were attracted to Gandhara from as far as China and Greece. In 5th century AD, the White Huns snuffed out the last of the successive civilizations that held unbroken sway in this region for several centuries.

Early Muslim and Mughal Heritage
Pakistan is a treasure-house of Muslim art and architecture. Lahore, the cultural capital of Pakistan, is situated along the bank of  River Ravi . The city has witnessed the rise and fall of many dynasties like Ghaznavids (1021-1186 AD), Ghoris (1186-1202 AD) and Slaves (1206-1524 AD) before arrival of the Mughals. The city was conquered by Babur of Ferghana (situated in Uzbekistan), the founder of the Mughal dynasty (1524-1764 AD). All the important monuments like the Royal Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan’s Mosque and Tombs of Empror Jehangir, Asif Khan, Queen Noor Jehan and  the Shalimar Gardens, Hiran Minar etc., were constructed during this period.

On the other hand, the shrines, mosques and forts located in and around Multan and Bahawalpur are the master pieces of the early Muslim architecture. Some important buildings are; Forts at Multan and Derawar (Bahawalpur), shrines of Shaikh Bahauddin Zakaria, Shah Rukan-e-Alam, Hazrat Shams Tabrez at Multan and Tomb of Bibi Jiwandi at Uchh Sharif near Bahawalpur. The tombs at Chaukundi, 27 km out of Karachi, the remains at Banbhore (64 km from Karachi) and the largest necropolis of the world with a million graves scattered over an area of 10 sq. km on Makli Hills near Thatta together with the Shahjehan Mosque of Thatta, are exquisite specimens of Muslim architecture, with stone carving and glazed tile decorations.

Valleys of the Himalaya and the Hindukush
The Murree Hills and the Gallies, 55 km from Islamabad, at an altitude of 2,286 m are the most popular summer resorts in Pakistan. With a perfect Himalayan atmosphere and equipped with all modern facilities like good communication network, resort hotels, golf course and chair-lift/cable cars, Murree and Gallies are a wonderful retreat from the hot weather of the plains in summer. A holiday in Kaghan Valley, the Himalayan hide-away in the North West Frontier Province,(NWFP)  is an un-forgettable experience. Its peaks, dales, lakes, water-falls, streams and glaciers are still in an unbelievable pristine state. The valley extends for 155 km rising from an elevation of 2,134 m to its highest point, the Babusar Pass, at 4,173 m.

The lush green valley of Swat, has a rich historical past. This is “Udyana” (the garden) of ancient Hindu epics; the land of enthralling beauty, where Alexander of Mecedonia fought and won some of his major battles. This is the “valley of the hanging chairs” as described by famous Chinese pilgrims, Fa-Hien and Hsuan Tsang in the 5th and 7th centuries.

Azad Kashmir rivals the Kaghan and Swat valleys in natural beauty. It extends from the plains of Mirpur at the northern edges of the Punjab through the outlyng foothills of the Haimalayas, to the mountains in the north at 6,000 meters above sea level. It is blessed with three major rivers, the Jehlum, the Neelum and the Poonch. Chitral valley is like a crown on the Hindukush Mountains with its high peaks, green pastures and unique culture. Chitral has attracted mountaineers, trekkers, naturalists and anthropologists alike. One of the major attractions of Chitral are the Kalash valleys - the home of the Kalash “wearers of the black robes”, a primitive pagan tribe.

Flora and Fauna
The wide variety of landscapes and climates in Pakistan allows for a wide variety of wild animals and birds. The forests range from coniferous alpine and subalpine trees such as spruce, pine, and deodar cedar in the northern mountains to deciduous trees such as the mulberry-type Shisham in the Sulaiman range in the south. The western hills have juniper and tamarisk as well as coarse grasses and scrub plants. Along the coast are mangrove forests which form much of the coastal wetlands.

In the south, there are crocodiles in the murky waters at the mouth of the Indus River whilst on the banks of the river, there are boars, deer, porcupines, and small rodents. In the sandy scrublands of central Pakistan are found jackals, hyenas, wild cats, panthers, and leopards while the clear blue skies abound with hawks, falcons, and eagles. In the southwestern deserts are rare Asiatic cheetahs. In the northern mountains are a variety of endangered animals including Marco Polo sheep, Urial sheep, Markhor and Ibex goats, black and brown Himalayan bears, and the rare Snow Leopard. During August 2006, Pakistan donated an orphaned snow leopard cub called Leo to USA. Another rare species is the blind Indus River Dolphin of which there are believed to be about 1,000 remaining, protected in two major sanctuaries. In recent years the number of wild animals being killed for fur and leather trading led to a new law banning the hunting of wild animals and birds and the establishment of several wildlife sanctuaries and game reserves.

Rivers
The Indus River is the lifeline of Pakistan. Without the Indus and its tributaries, the land would have turned into a barren desert long ago. The Indus originates in Tibet from the glacial streams of the Himalayas and enters Pakistan in the northeast. It runs generally southwestward the entire length of Pakistan, about 2,900 km (1,800 mi), and empties into the Arabian Sea. The Indus and its tributaries provide water to two-thirds of Pakistan. The principal tributaries of the Indus are the Sutlej, Beās, Chenāb, Rāvi, and Jhelum rivers. In southwestern Punjab Province these rivers merge to form the Panjnad (“Five Rivers”), which then merges with the Indus to form a mighty river. As the Indus approaches the Arabian Sea, it spreads out to form a delta. Much of the delta is marshy and swampy. It includes 225,000 hectares (556,000 acres) of mangrove forests and swamps. To the west of the delta is the seaport of Karāchi; to the east the delta fans into the salt marshes known as the Rann of Kutch.
 
Traveler Information
 
Population (1998 Census)
Total Population: 130.58 million Growth Rate: 2.61% per annum.
Density: 164 persons per sq.km.

Languages
National Language:       Urdu    Official Language:  English
Main Regional Languages: Sindhi, Balochi, Punjabi and Pashto.
Other Regional Languages: Balti, Shina, Brushuski, Chitrali, Kalashi, Kohistani, Hindko, Pothohari, Kashmiri, Gojri, Brahuvi, Saraiki etc.

Currency
Basic unit of currency is Rupee which divides into 100 paisa. Currency notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 Rupee are in use. Coins of five, two and one Rupee are in circulation.

Exchange Rate, Credit Cards & Travellers Cheques
Pakistan observes floating exchange rate system. US$ 1 = Rs.60.15 (August 2006).  Master, Visa and AMEX credit cards are widely accepted in major cities and towns. Travellers Cheques are accepted at banks, 4 and 5-star hotels and major shops.

Time Zone
Pakistan Standard Time is GMT plus 5 hours. It gets dark at about 5 p.m. in winter and at 7.30 p.m. in summer.

Driving
All traffic in Pakistan runs on the left side. International driving licence is also valid. All vehicles must be insured and registered. Minimum age for driving is 18 years. Speed limit is 100 km/h on Highways and 120 km/h on Motorways.

Postage
Postcards: Approx. US$ 0.37. Airmail letters from US$ 0.41, depending on weight. Mail boxes are red. Several fast postal services are provided by Pakistan Post Office. A number of private Courier Services are also working in Pakistan for speedy delivery of letters and documents.

Airport Facilities
Bank, car rental, tourist information, duty free shop, restaurant, hotel reservation booths, post office and public call office facilities are available at Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar International Airports.

Transport to city centre
i) Quaid -e- Azam International Airport: 14 km northeast of Karachi, Taxi takes 20 minutes (approx. US$ 7 to city centre). Public bus charge approx. US$ 0.25 per person for 01 hour ride.
ii) Islamabad International Airport: 20 km east of Islamabad, Taxi takes 25 minutes (approx US$ 7 to the city centre). Airport Van No.111 brings to Islamabad central and charges approx. US$ 0.25 per person for 01 hour ride.

How to Come Pakistan
By Air: Several International Airlines connect Pakistan with the rest of the world. A few have direct connections to Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar also. National Airlines,PIA, has direct connections to major destinations in USA, Europe, Middle and Far Eastern countries. Other Pakistani airlines, Aero Asia and Shaheen Air also operate on a few International air routes.

Travel Within Pakistan
Air: Pakistan’s national Airline, PIA, serves 38 domestic airports with scheduled connections, including multiple daily flights between major cities of Karachi, Quetta, Multan, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar. Three private airlines, Aero Asia, Air Blue and Shaheen Air, also operate on domestic routes. PIA has daily flights linking the northern tourist towns of Gilgit and Skardu with Islamabad and Chitral with Peshawar. All flights to northern Pakistan are subject to good weather conditions.

Road: Pakistan has an extensive network of roads and highways, linking cities and towns with each other, like the Grand Trunk Road (G.T. Road) with Lahore and Peshawar and the Super Highway  the National  Highway links Karachi with the interior of Sindh and Punjab while the Indus Highway links Peshawar with the Southern Punjab and the RCD Highway links Karachi with Quetta and Taftan (Pak-Iran border).  Karakoram Highway the 8th wonder of the world, connects Pakistan with China (Kashgar) through Islamabad, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Besham, Chilas, Gilgit, Hunza, Sost and Khunjerab Pass (4,733 m above sea level). A landmark has been achieved with the completion of Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M2), and Faisalabad-Pindi Bhatian Motorway (M3), which have opened some of the remote areas of Pakistan for visitors. Another project of Motorway i.e., Islamabad-Peshawar (M1) will be completed by the end of 2005. Karachi - Gwadar Costal Highway is also neer completion.

Public Transport
Taxis, 3-wheeler auto-rickshaws, vans, buses, mini buses and tongas (horse driven carriage) are used to travel within the city/town/village limits whereas inter city air-conditioned, non air-conditioned buses, vans and coaches are available from the main city bus terminals. Taxi cost approximately US$ 0.20 per kilometer. Extra 10% for late hours. The cheapest bus/van ticket (one-way) in a city (between two stops) is approximately US$ 0.05.

Trains
Pakistan has over 12,700 kilometers of railway network. The main lines run from Karachi to Peshawar connecting important cities of Hyderabad, Rohri, Bahawalpur, Multan, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Taxila and Peshawar. Another main line links Quetta with the rest of the country. A number of  trains run between Quetta and Karachi via Sukkur. Although there are several daily trains, the faster trains among them like Shalimar Express, Karakoram Express (Lahore-Karachi) and Rail Car (Lahore-Rawalpindi) have more comfortable air-conditioned compartments for travellers. Advance booking is required from the Railway Reservation offices throughout Pakistan. (Website: www.pakrail.com)

Where To Stay
Pakistan offers a wide range of accommodation. Modern, well equipped chain-hotels like Sheraton and Avari (at Karachi and Lahore), Pearl Continental Hotels (at Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Bhurban). Marriott (Karachi and Islamabad), Holiday Inn (Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Islamabad), Serena Hotels (Islamabad, Faisalabad, Quetta, Gilgit, Hunza and Saidu Sharif), Pine Park Hotels (Naran, Khannian, Balakot and Shogran), Green Hotels (Nathiagali, Abbottabad, Peshawar), Shangrila Resorts and Hotels (Naran, Chilas, Skardu and Raikot-KKH) offer good services and facilities. A government tax/duty upto 17.5% is added to the rent at most places.

PTDC Hotels and Motels
Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) operates one hotel namely Flashman’s Rawalpindi and 26 well furnished, moderately priced Motels throughout Pakistan.

What To Buy
Pakistan is a treasure house of exquisite handicrafts, made by the craftsmen who devoted their life to cloth weaving, pottery, metal work,  wood work, stone carving and  decorating items, big or small. Pottery here is a living history, a traditional craft that became an art, with its origins going back to 3,000 years B.C. Today, each region of Pakistan claims its own special jars and jugs, from sturdy terracotta to paper-thin ceramics.

What To Eat
Having inherited the culinary traditions of the Mughals, the Turks, the Central Asians and the Iranians, eating out in Pakistan is a rich and unique experience. Most local restaurants serve delicious Pakistani dishes. Meat, fish and vegetable dishes are seasoned with spices. Particularly palatable are the grills and barbecues; Seekh or Chappal Kabab (minced meat grilled on skewer or fried), Shami-Kabab (minced meat), Tikka (barbecued mutton, beef or chicken) and Sajji (barbecued leg of lamb). Pakistani mutton and chicken curries and the oriental rice dish called, Pullao, are also popular with natives and foreigners alike.

What To Wear
Lightweight, cotton clothes suffice except in the north during winter. Men wear suits for business meetings and social events. Casual shalwar suits are worn by all women and most men in public. Women should dress modestly.

 
Festivals
 
Pakistan celebrates many festivals and fairs. Festivals in Pakistan are characterized by color, gaiety, enthusiasm, prayers and ritual. Foreign travelers are strike by the array of different Pakistani festivals that have evolved in the society.

Many of the festivals and holidays featured in calendar are celebrate on religious occasions. Others are in memory of national heroes or commemorate political events in the nation’s recent history. Muslim festivals are celebrated according to Muslim (Lunar) Calendar and may occur some 10 days earlier each successive Christian Year. There are several folk festivals held regularly in every part of the country. Exact dates of such festivals are fixed annually by the District Administration of the respective area, at least 01 month in advance. Some festivals welcome the seasons of the year, the harvest, the rains, or the full moon.

A number of these festivals are common to most parts of Pakistan. However, they may be called by different names in various parts of the country or may be celebrated in a different fashion.

Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Christians in Pakistan also celebrate their own festivals and holidays. Sikhs come from across the world to visit several holy sites in Punjab, including the shrine of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, at Hassan Abdal in the Attock District, and his birthplace, at Nankana Sahib. There are also several regional and local festivals, such as the Punjabi festival of Basant, which marks the start of spring and is celebrated by kite flying.

 
Safety
 
Pakistan is enjoying a good political situation now days; especially the Northern Areas of Pakistan where most of the tourists use to spend holidays are the safest. No country can totally guarantee the safety of its visitors but the reality is that travel in Pakistan is much safer than many western countries and media reports and their embroidered net of falls statements. One of the main factors in weighing up Pakistan as a destination is that tourists are not targets of violence. On the contrary they are always welcomed and looked after exceptionally well. Visitors to Pakistan are always treated with kindness, respect and incredible hospitality.

Sometimes many foreigners think they are even safer then their home countries. The problems which are exaggerated in media are far away from reality or of minor concerns but media have to earn so they overstate the small issues. As you may know, Pakistan and India are on a peaceful track as well, which are encouraging.