Chitral Valley Pakistan

Chitral Khowar also spelled Chetrar, translated as field, is the capital of the Chitral District, situated on the western bank of the Chitral River (also called Kunar River), in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It also served as the capital of the princely state of Chitral until 1969. The town is at the foot of Tirich Mir, the highest peak of the Hindu Kush, which is 25,289 ft (7,708 m) high. It has a population of 20,000.^{[citation needed]} The elevation of the valley is 3,700 ft (1,100 m).

History

The entire region that now forms the Chitral District was a fully independent monarchy until 1895, when the British negotiated a subsidiary alliance with its hereditary ruler, the Mehtar, under which Chitral became a princely state, still sovereign but subject to the suzerainty of the British Raj. Chitral retained a similar status even after its accession to Pakistan in 1969, but was completely incorporated into Pakistan and became an administrative district of Pakistan in 1969.

Nothing definitive is recorded about the town's first settlers. In the 3rd century, Kanishka, the Buddhist ruler of the Kushan empire, occupied Chitral. In the 4th century, the Chinese overran the valley. Raees rule over Chitral began in 1320 and came to an end in the 15th century. From 1571 onwards Chitral was the dominion of the Kator Dynasty until 1969.

Geography and access

The city has an average elevation of 1,500 m (4,921 ft). The easiest access to Chitral, other than by air, is from the southwest along the Kunar Valley. However the Afghan-Pakistan border (Durand Line) and cross border tensions prevent this from being used as an internal route to the rest of Pakistan. There are other routes over the high mountain passes; to the south, the 3,200-metre (10,500 ft) Lowari Pass leads 365 kilometres (227 mi) to Peshawar. In the north, the easiest route during summer runs over the 3,798-metre (12,461 ft) Broghol pass. To the east, there is a 405 kilometres (252 mi) route to Gilgit over the 3,719-metre (12,201 ft) Shandur Pass. The territory is cut off by snow from the rest of the country for up to six months a year, a problem soon to be relieved by the completion of the Lowari Tunnel.^[when?]

Climate

Chitral Fort in autumn.

Chitral has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa), with warm summers and cold winters.

Chitral's Friday mosque.

According to 1981 census, Khowar is main language and spoken by 98% of population while Pashto is spoken by small population. ^[8]According to 2011 estimates, the population of town 19,700.

Tourism

Chitral is one of the two major hubs for mountaineering expeditions in the Hindu Kush. Many tourists choose to travel by air, since road travel between Islamabad and Chitral takes 11 hours, whereas air travel takes 30 minutes from Peshawar and 40 minutes from Islamabad.

Shandur Polo Festival is one of the big festivals in Pakistan. This festival is held from 7th to 9 July every year on Shandur Top of Chitral district, KPK. The polo which is played between the polo teams of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is experienced as a free-style polo match.

Educational institutions

• New City College
• Chitral University Campus
• Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University
• Chitral Model College Chitral
• Government Degree College
• Government Girls Degree College
• Government Centennial Model High School
• Government Centennial Model School for Girls
• Government College of Commerce
• Frontier Corp Public School
• Chitral Public School & College, (Chitral's first English Medium School)
• Langlands School and College, formerly known as Sayurj Public School
• Pearl College of Education
• Frontier Corps Public Schools and College

Ziyarat Valley Balochistan

Ziarat  the capital of Ziarat District, Balochistan Province, Pakistan. It is a holiday resort, is about 130 km from the capital city of Balochistan province Quetta. The famous Quaid-e-Azam Residency is also there in the valley, where our Quaid spent few of his most memorable days. Tourists from all over Balochistan and also from Sindh province vists the valley in the harsh summers. It's overall cold weather, fascinating sceneries, lush green forests and mighty mountains attracts tourists of all kinds.

Months from May to September are months experience peak tourists visit. Specially in the days of Eid festive and other national or religional the valley is full packed. The 2016's Eid experienced about 0.4 million peoples visited.

The hill station is easily accessible from Quetta through a Highway. While accessing it from Loralai is little difficult due to bad road conditions. The third way of accessing the valley is through Harnai District although it is pretty dangerous near Dumiara waterfall.

4X4 Road to Dumiara waterfall

The main road of the station is Jinnah road which also called the red zone of the valley due to a large numbers of government and askari resorts and buildings there, few of which are,

• Frontier Corps Resthouse
• Governor House
• IG Police House
• Panther Lodge (Army)
• Juniper Lodge (Army)
• Quaid-e-Azam Residency
• Commissioner House
• CM Balochistan House

Pakistan’s largest juniper forest is located in this reserve. The ecosystem is of inestimable value for biodiversity conservation. It is also of great ecological significance, providing local, regional, and global benefits.

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• Washed green juniper forests in a rainy day alongside of Jinnah Road
• The biosphere reserve is home to the largest area of juniper forest (Juniperus excelsa) in Pakistan, covering about 110,000 hectares. It is believed that the forest is the second largest of its kind in the world.^[2] The juniper species found there are of global significance because of their advanced age and slow growth rate. In fact, the junipers of Ziarat are among the oldest living trees in the world. Although no dendrological study has yet been conducted, according to one estimate, the age of a mature tree in Ziarat can exceed 5,000 years. Local people refer to the trees as "living fossils". Their remarkable longevity allows research on past weather conditions in the region, making the species of particular significance for studies on climate change and ecology.

Juniper trees in the parking area of the Quaid-e-Azam Residence on a cloudy day

The juniper forest ecosystem of Ziarat provides a habitat for endangered wildlife species and supports a rich variety of plant species. Because of the ecosystem's biodiversity, various parts of it have been designated protected areas, including wildlife sanctuaries and game reserves. The mountain ranges, including the Khilafat Hills, consist of a core habitat that reportedly^[3] hosts several globally important wild species, among them markhors, urials, black bears and wolves. The forest also serves as a habitat for a number of other animals: Afghan pikas, foxes, jackals and several species of migratory birds. However, anthropological factors such as illegal hunting, human habitations and livestock grazing have encroached on the wildlife habitats, leading to their fragmentation.^{[citation needed]} The human population, distributed across various sub-tribes and clans, is concentrated in valleys, although small settlements are visible on mountain slopes. There are over 100,000 people living within or in close proximity to the biosphere reserve, most of whom are agropastoralists. Almost 40 percent of the population migrates for three to four months during the winter to abodes in Harnai.

A view of Khilafat Hill from Malikat

Livestock was formerly the primary source of livelihood in the reserve. Today, it has been displaced by the development of agriculture and, in particular, the promotion of horticultural crops such as apple and cherry orchards.

Quaid-e-Azam Residency

Swat valley Kalam

Swat Valley

Swat Kalam Valley  is a marvellous valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Saidu Sharif is the capital of Swat Valley but the major town in the Swat valley is Mingora. Surrounded by the mountains, the lush Swat Valley is truly a haven of serenity for all tourist to the area.

Swat Kalam is a cool heaven for tourists which is located at distance of 99 km from Mingora in the northern upper reaches of Swat valley along the bank of Swat River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

Kalam Swat valley

Kalam Boyun

Kalam Swat valley

Kalam is surrounded by lush green hills, thick forests and bestowed with mesmeric lakes, meadows and waterfalls which are worth seen features of the landscape. It is the birthplace of Swat river which forms with confluence of two major tributaries of Gabral river & Ushu river.

It is a spacious sub-valley of Swat, at an elevation of about 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) above sea level, and providing rooms for a small but fertile plateau above the river for farming. Here, the metalled road ends and shingle road leads to the Usho and Utror valleys. From Matiltan some snow-capped mountains are visible including Mount Falaksar 5,918 meters (19,416 feet), and another unnamed peak 6,096 meters (20,000 feet) high.

There are a lot of grand hotels in Kalam, where one can stay for night and enjoy the cool breeze of Swat river.

The lush green and historic Swat Valley. In the Malakand Division lies between 34’40’ to 35′ N latitude and 72′ to 740-3 E longitude and is part of the Provincially Administrated Tribal Area (PATA) of the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The valley is an integral part of the strategic and significant region where three parts of the Asian continent—South Asia. Central Asia and China meet.The names found in ancient sources for Swat are Udyana and Suvastu because of the scenic beauty of the valley and the name of the river respectively.The historical and cultural remains of the area provide evidence about human activities covering a large span of time Alexander the Great came here in 327 BC en route India. In ancient times it remained center of Buddhism, stil having its marks found from river bed to the tops of the mountains. During Abdul Wadud Il g 17- I g4g) and Jahan Zeb’s I gag) peaceful reign Swati territories forming part of Swat State witnessed unprecedented development In the fields of education, health and communication.The magnificent Swat Valley popularly known as the Switzerland of Pakistan. is situated north of Peshawar In ancient times it remained centre of then flourishing Buddhist civilization still having its remnants found at various places. Its old name was Udyana (Land of Gardens). The archeological sites and monasteries dating back to Buddhist era add to its historical charm. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Swat Valley is ful of roaring rivers. lush green forests and snow-covered peaks adding to its natural attraction. “Upper. and ” Lower ” Swat are terms in vogue based on the arbitrary demarcation of higher and lower regions In the valley by Swat River.Green fruit orchards beautiful lakes, gushing streams and a fascinating landscape make it a place worth seeing.

Tourist enjoying in sweet and cold water 

Neelum Valley Kashmir Pakistan

Neelum Valley  is a 144 km long bow-shaped thick forested region in Azad Jammu and Kashmir in Pakistan Administered Kashmir. It is named after the Neelum river, which flows through the length of the valley.

The valley is situated in the north-east of Muzaffarabad, running parallel to Kaghan Valley. The two valleys are only separated by snow-covered peaks, some over 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) above sea level.

The valley is connected from Muzaffarabad by Neelam road, which leads up to Kel. The road condition from Muzaffarabad to Athmuqam is very good and suitable for any kind of transport. From Keran to Kel road condition is not well and not suitable for low floor vehicles. In winters road onward Keran is blocked due to heavy snowfall and it is very difficult to reach upper parts of the valley.

Vans service is only available from Muzaffarabad to Athmuqam after every 30 minutes. Buses run daily between Muzaffarabad and Kel in good weather. Jeeps and horses are available to reach remote areas of the valley.

Neelum Valley

1.Dhani Noseri Waterfall

Dhani Waterfall is about 30 Kilometers from Muzaffarabad, beautiful waterfall with 15 meters fall. From month of March ot June in every season water flow remains good but in July to onwards water level remain low.

dhani water fall

2.Chilhena/Titwal

Chilhana/Titwal is border of Azad Kashmir and Indian occupied kashmir. In Chilhana, kashmiri colonies are located which are controlled by Indian administration. Attraction is watching out Indian side of Kashmir.

3.Kutton Jagran Valley

Kutton Jagran Valley is pearl valley with kutton waterfall, jagran stream, HEB resorts. Kutton is the first place where tourist plan to stay at.

kutton_waterfall_neelum_valley

4.Keran Neelum Valley
Keran is located 93 kilometers away from Muzaffarabad and well known because of neelum river flowing peacefully. A tourist Motel by AJK Tourism is constructed to facilitate tourists.

5.Upper Neelum
Upper Neelum is 2 Kilometers away from Keran, it’s a most scenic place of Neelum Valley which shows the panoramic view of Valley. AJK TOURISM constructed small two bedrooms huts to facilitate tourists.

6.Ratti Gali Lake

Ratti Gali Lake is 18 kilometers from Dowarian, lake is alpine glaciers lake, red flowers and green fields all around. 15 kilometers jeep track constructed by PWD Neelum to facilitate tourist. Camping facility is also available at Ratti Gali Resort.

7.Sharda Neelum Valley

Sharda is tehsil headquater of Neelum District and about 43 kilometers from Keran Neelum Valley.

8.Kel/Arrang kel

Kel is about 23 kilometers from sharda , it’s a jeep track and one the best location. Not enough facilities are available in Kel. Arrang Kel the Gold Village of Neelum Valley, if you are on visit to Neelum valley then must visit Arrang kel. 30 minutes walking trek from kel.

9.Chitta Khatta Lake
White waters lake is difficult hiking trek but worth seeing place, not recommend for families but well it’s the best place to visit.

10.Toabutt
About 200 Kilometers from Muzaffarabad , the last destination of Neelum Valley Toabutt. Guraz Valley covers (Helmet, Sardari, Phulawai, Janawai).

toabutt_neelum_valley

Religions in Pakistan

Islam is the state religion of Pakistan, and about 95-98% of Pakistanis are Muslim. Pakistan has the second largest number of Muslims in the world after Indonesia. The majority are Sunni (estimated at 75-95%), with an estimated 5-20% Shia. A PEW survey in 2012 found that 6% of Pakistani Muslims wereShia.


Other religions

• Hindus: 2% 
• Christians: 1.59%
• Bahá'ís: 40,000 to 79,000
• Sikhs: 20,000
• Zoroastrian/Parsis: 1,600 to 20,000
• Kalash: 3,000
• Bahai
• Ahmadiyya
• Irreligion

As of 2012, around 5,900,000 Pakistanis of non-Muslim faiths were holding the Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC cards) from National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), which can only be obtained by citizens over 18 years of age. It is estimated that some 96% adult Pakistanis currently hold CNIC cards, and therefore the total adult population of non-Muslim religions seems to be over 3 million. Of the minority CNIC holders, 1,414,527 were Hindus (769,647 males and 644,880 females), 1,270,051 were Christians (731,713 males and 538,338 females), 125,681 were Ahmadi Muslims (63,479 males and 62,202 females), 33,734 were Bahais, 6,146 were Sikhs, 4,020 were Parsis, 1,492 were Buddhist and 66,898 were others (such as Kalasha Animists). NADRA has made it near impossible to declare and change the religion to anything from Islam therefore the statistics must be looked at with a pinch of salt.