PAKISTAN became an independent state in 1947, and until December 1971 it included the province of East Pakistan; now. BUNGLADASH
MOUNTAINS:
The Hindu Kush Mountains extend through parts OF AFGHANISTAN,
Pakistan, and tajiktan.
Over twenty peaks exceed 7,000 m. The highest point, Tirich Mir (7,690 m), is in Pakistan.
Peshawar:
You're entering another world when you come to the North-West
Frontier Province of Pakistan; it's almost Afghanistan.
The religion of Islam is so strong here, that even the three-wheeler motorbike taxis have covers on the passenger sections to hide the women from view.
Near the entrance to the Khyber Pass, this ancient trading settlement was known as Purushapure. Today there are many gun shops in Peshawar, and they do a roaring trade with their neighbours.
The Peshawar Museum houses an important collection of sculpture from the ancient Gandhara civilization.
Khyber
Pass:
This is the most important pass connecting Afghanistan and Pakistan; Peshawar to Kabul.
For centuries the Khyber Pass was used by aggressors heading to India.
During the Afghan Wars, in the 19th century, there were many skirmishes here between the armies of the British Raj and native Afghans.
In January 1842, about 16,000 British and Indian troops were killed.
In the
1980s, when Afghanistan was occupied by the Soviets, the Khyber Pass was a major supply
route to the Afghan guerrillas.
Islamabad:
The capital of Pakistan, is in the north of the country; on
the Potwar Plateau, near Rawalpindi.
The site of Islamabad was chosen to replace Karachi as the capital of Pakistan in 1959. Urban planners set to work, and the new city became the official capital in 1967.
A lot of the construction work wasn't completed until the mid-1970s though.
Of the modern buildings in Islamabad, the most notable are the National Assembly Building, and the home of the President; known as Pakistan House.
The
Faisal Mosque, built in
1985, was designed to look like a desert tent. Its four surrounding minarets are all about
90 m high.
Rawalpindi:
Rawalpindi was used as the provisional capital of Pakistan from 1959 to 1967, while
construction was being completed in Islamabad.
Lahore:
Lahore was probably at its greatest during the time of the Mughal
Empire (1526- 1707). There are many architecturally significant buildings and monuments
from this time.
Mini-coaches run to to Lahore from Karachi.
Karakorum:
The Karakorum mountain range is in the Himalaya, between the
northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, and north-western Pakistan. The range includes
K2 (8,611 m), the second highest peak in the world.
The Kahmir
border area between Pakistan and India has also been the scene of snowy gun- battles
between the two disputing cousins.
language
The official language of Pakistan is English. While the national language of Pakistan is Urdu, Punjabi is probably the most widely spoken.
Although freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution, the amended constitution defines Pakistan as an Islamic nation, with Islamic Shana law the supreme law of Pakistan.
Karachi:
Karachi
is Pakistan's largest city, located on the Arabian Sea. The port, centred on the island of
Kiamari, also serves as an outlet for landlocked Afghanistan.
Karachi was a small fishing and trading centre when the British captured it in 1839. Karachi grew in importance under the British; for the export of cotton and grain from the Indus Valley.
There is a long beach in Karachi, but it is rather dirty and better suited to camels. It can get busy on a Sunday.
After independence many Muslim refugees from India settled in Karachi, and in recent years the former capital has seen bombings and riots between rival political, religious, and ethnic groups.
Of Interest:
The tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah,
founder of Pakistan, is in Karachi.
Indus
Valley civilizations:
The National Museum of Pakistan displays important materials from
the Indus Valley civilizations -- one of the world's first great civilizations, similar to
the Bronze Age cultures of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Crete.
Mohenjo-daro
Ruins:
The Indus Valley ruins of the ancient city, Mohenjo-daro -- in the
southern province of Sind, south of Sukkur --, date back to 2500 BC.
some of Pakistan's best vocational spot to find that out click blow
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