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Lovely Quetta loved by many

Zarbab Ayesha Malik

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Quetta is a district and division of Balochistan province, Pakistan. The name is taken from ”kwatkot” a Pashto word meaning “fort” and the city is still locally known by its ancient name of Shal or Shalkot. Quetta is the 5th largest city of Pakistan also known as the Fruit Garden of Pakistan due to the diversity of its plant and animal wildlife. Quetta is an excellent base for the exploration of Balochistan. Three large craggy mountains Chiltan, Zarghun, and Koh-e-Murdar seem to brood upon this town, other mountains form a ring around it. Their copper ring and russet rocks and crests are powdered with snow in winters add immense charm to the town.

Quetta has an area of 2,653 km2, and consists of series of valleys that act as a natural fort surrounded by hills: these are named Chiltan, Takatoo, Murdar, and Zarghun. There are no natural boundaries between Quetta and its adjoining districts. Strategically, Quetta is an important city due to its proximity to borders with Iran and Afghanistan. There is a huge military base just outside the city. Quetta owes much of its importance to the Bolan Pass which links it to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Excavations in Quetta valley prove that humans have lived there since pre-history. Modern-day is a growing center of excellence. Quetta has a semi-arid climate with a significant variation between summer and winter temperatures. The highest temperature in Quetta was recorded in 1998, it was 42 degrees C. The population of Quetta is approximately 2 million. Some unique varieties of melon, Garma, Sarda, cherries, pistachios, and almonds are all grown in abundance. Some pistachios are also grown in Qila Saif Ullah. Saffron grows very well and is being cultivated on a commercial scale.

Tulips are the local flowers of Pakistan. The yellow and red tulip grows wild around Quetta. A trip to Quetta is incomplete without Urak, Hannah Jheel, Ziarat, and other surrounding hill stations. Try out kaddi kabab. This is a traditional food of Balochistan. Both chicken and mutton can be used but locals prefer mutton with it. The best places to enjoy food in Quetta are Lehri Sajji House, Mir Afzal Gosht Karahi Regal Chowk, Gulshan Karahi, Dubai Restaurant Kuchlak. The city saw a severe drought from 1999 to 2001. In 2003, the city received snowfall after five years.

The inhabitants of Quetta are mostly Pashtun followed by Brahui and Baloch. They are known to be hospitable to visitors. It is an important element in their culture. When Baloch and Pakhtun come together, it’s a meat-lover paradise. Quetta is connected by roads with the rest of the country. Educational institutions include:

  1. Group of Islamia schools
  2. Federal government degree college
  3. Tameer-e-Nau public college
  4. The Military Command and Staff college
  5. The University of Balochistan
  6. Bolan Medical college
  7. The geological survey of Pakistan.

Etc.

Mammals such as Markhor are to be found in the Quetta region. Local birds species include partridge, warblers, shikra, the blue rock pigeon, rock nuthatch, golden eagle, sparrows, hawks, falcons, and bearded vultures.

A total of 225 species of flora have been found in the area. Cultural and religious festivals are held every year. Buzkashi is a festival celebrated by Pashtuns every year. In this game, two teams on horses try to snatch a goat from each other.

Quetta bazaars are Shahrah-e-Liaquat, Shahrah-e-Iqbal, and Jinnah road. Balochi mirror work and Pashtun embroidery are sold in these bazaars. Afghan rugs and fur coats are also very famous there. Embroidered jackets, waistcoats, and sandals are also well known.  Pakhtun rugs and Balochi carpets are also very famous. Kadi kebab, lamb Roash, and Balochi Sajji are loved by many. Other traditional dishes are also available around the city. ‘Roash’ is also known as ‘Namkin’. Some of the finest mutton in the country are available in Quetta. ‘Landhi’ is made up of the whole Lamb. Shaheed Nauoroz stadium is the largest stadium. If you want to look at how diversity is celebrated, Pakistan is a place to visit. As our culture is diverse in itself. One can find many colors of joy. To lose yourself in a culture that is so vibrant is the deal. One needs to be lost in order to be found. To be found with a tradition so old and lovely that it brings nothing but joy to the faces. A tradition is what defines a nation. It gives a hint on what a nation possesses. What type of people lives in a certain area? Also, what are their beliefs? Traditions and culture give you the whole knowledge about it. The food they eat shows what they enjoy. What type of taste do they have. It is loved by many, the culture of Quetta. Let’s celebrate it.

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Renowned Balochi folk artist Ustad Noor Bakhsh enthrals audience in music concert

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Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi Organized a musical concert featuring renowned Balochi folk artist Ustad Noor Bakhsh, showcasing the vibrant colors of Balochi culture at the open-air theatre.

Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi Organized a musical concert featuring renowned Balochi folk artist Ustad Noor Bakhsh, showcasing the vibrant colors of Balochi culture at the open-air theatre.

A large number of music enthusiasts attended the event, where Ustad Noor Bakhsh delivered a lively and captivating performance on the banjo, earning widespread applause from the audience. His distinctive singing style and mesmerizing melodies kept the audience engaged, with many swaying to the rhythm. He also performed the popular track “Laila O Laila,” which received an enthusiastic response from attendees. The event witnessed remarkable excitement among lovers of Balochi culture, as the open-air theatre was packed to capacity.

During the concert, participants energetically performed the traditional Balochi dance “Dochapi” to the rhythmic beats of the banjo, adding further color and vibrancy to the memorable evening.

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Death anniversary of renowned Urdu poet Mohsin Naqvi observed

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The 30th death anniversary of renowned Urdu poet Mohsin Naqvi was observed on Thursday.

Born in Dera Ghazi Khan in 1947, Mohsin Naqvi made a lasting contribution to Urdu literature through his remarkable works, including Azaab-e-Deed, Khaima-e-Jaan, and Berg-e-Sehra.

In recognition of his services to Urdu literature and films, he received several awards.

Mohsin Naqvi passed away in Lahore on this day in 1996.

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Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder while Pakistan comes into every Eye (Episode 6)

Fariyal Mir

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Hello… Welcome back with the hope that you all will be fine and doing great. If some have got some issue even then no worries ups and downs are part of life. We all wish for the betterment of each other and everything will be alright. Anyhow you must be waiting for the next episode of our visual tour. Before going into visualization I want to tell you that always do remember that everything happens for something better. So keep your struggle and hope for the best. As Quaid once said: “Expect the best, Prepare for the worst”.

Now, what do you think to have a visualization of our northern area? I believe whenever you hear northern area the name of Hunza comes to your mind. So let us know something about the forts of Hunza valley.

Altit Fort              

Hey ….! This is the Altit Fort located in Karimabad in the Hunza valley in Gilgit Baltistan. This fort was home to the hereditary rulers of the Hunza state. They were known to be the Mir. You know it is one of our antiques as it is about 900 years old. That means it is the oldest monument in Gilgit–Baltistan. Some decades back it was in great disrepair. But Aga Khan Trust for Culture has graciously restored it. And then it has been open to the public since 2007. You can see the antiques preserved from the Mir kingdom. Oh, how lovely are old things.

Altit Fort

A fort under the clear blue sky, high mountains, and down valley is just an ideal to many but it is present. Nature is shouting from every angle. Now just mend your imaginative steps toward Baltit Fort that is not far from the Altit Fort.

Baltit Fort

So here we have reached our second destination of today’s trip. This fort is also near the Karimabad town Hunza Valley. Let’s know a bit about its history.  It was founded in the 8th century CE, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list since 2004. In the past, the survival of the feudal regime of Hunza was ensured by the impressive fort, which overlooks Karimabad. The foundations of the fort date back to 700 years ago, with rebuilds and alterations over the centuries. In the 16th century, the local prince married a princess from Baltistan who brought master Balti craftsmen to renovate the building as part of her dowry. All this information is so interesting, aren’t they?

You all know there is a level of our kings or Mirs so far the Mir of Hunza also abandoned the fort in 1945 and moved to a new palace down the hill. The fort started to decay which caused concern that it might possibly fall into ruin. But fortunately, the Royal Geographical Society of London initiated a restoration program and was supported by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture Historic Cities Support Program. The program was completed in 1996 and the fort is now a museum run by the Baltit Heritage Trust. You can see it has preserved the rich heritage of Mirs of Hunza. How finely everything has been restored. You can see its architecture is far different and unique.

Baltit Fort

I think we should have to stop it here so that we have some more to visit and to visualize some other day. We will be covering the whole of our country. And for that, we would like to thank digital to bring us together and making this visualized tour. Bye, Bye for today.

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