Chowrangi

June 18, 3.00 am Saudi Time

Beggars are a common sight in Makkah, in the back alleys, suqs and wherever a crowd gathers. In addition, the streets are littered with women who have setup shop on the bare ground itself, selling anything from novelty items to sandals and abayas. Close to the haram, expectedly, the concentration of the beggars grows, consisting of women and children.

Surprisingly, or perhaps not, most of them sleep on the streets, in groups with their bundles of belongings serving as a pillow case. It’s not hard for initial sentiments of mercy and pity to turn into an almost revulsion, bordering on abhorrence. Feelings of pride also begin to creep in and an air of superiority manages to find a home when you least expect it.

The Umrah or (Arabic: عمره‎) is a pilgrimage to Mecca performed by Muslims that can be undertaken at any time of the year. In Arabic Umrah means “to visit a populated place”. As a technical term used in the Shari’ah, Umrah means to perform Tawaf of Kaabah and Sa’i between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, after assuming Ihram, either from a Miqat or a place in Hill. It is sometimes called the ‘minor pilgrimage’ or ‘lesser pilgrimage’, the Hajj being the ‘major’ pilgrimage and which is compulsory for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it. The Umrah is not compulsory but highly recommended. [Wikiepedia]

In past few years everyone had seen travel agencies mushrooming in the city. Every now and than new packages are announced and publicized in newspapers and on cable TV via ticker tapes to attract people by their low fare packages. Recent case of fraud by one of the agent of such travel agency gives rise to the question of credibility of such agencies.

Five people arrested in KSA on charges of heroin smuggling belong to Karachi areas of Azizabad and Korangi. These families arrived in Saudi Arabia for Umrah on June 1, where they were arrested on heroin smuggling charges.

Under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedures Code pillion riding has been banned In Karachi, the restriction has been in place since November 2008. The only break came in April, when the ban was lifted briefly from the 10th to the 29th of the month.

After looking at the image it has been clear that pillion riding ban is not only affecting common man of the city but also police is affected as there are insufficient transport facilities for the citizens of Karachi. Motorcycles have been used by a number of people to travel across the city and to lower fuel consumption two colleagues often travel together on a single bike, like my brother who went to his office with his colleague. He uses his own bike for two weeks and the rest of the month his friend uses his. In this way they both share economic benefit providing no harm to the society.

Countryside Chalet Club is a housing and farmhouse project beyond Malir Cantt in Karachi. It’s got a pond in the center of it and is full of lush greenery. I had an experience of staying there in village room which was very well furnished. The place is quite relaxing and offers something to everyone. The dining experience was also nice. It has a dining hall, lawn sitting and food street arrangements for visitors. Swimming pool though lacks stairs but it was clean and enjoyable experience.

Pakistan is home of most stunning Himalayan peaks, including K-2 and various magnificent valleys. It has beautiful Arabian Sea, deserts, Indus valley, ancient Buddah’s civilization carved in its mountains and historic forts. With all this it is suppose to be one of the world’s greatest tourist destinations.

But due to a weak travel and tourism framework, low branding and marketing effectiveness and deduced priority given to the travel and tourism industry by the government, Pakistan has been ranked 103 of 124 countries around the globe. The World Economic forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2008 (TTCR) revealed these facts and figures. These figures highlight the reinforcement and significance of environment’s sustainability in Pakistan. One can also evaluate the competitive advantages and disadvantages to the tourism industry in Pakistan through glancing at these statistics.

While travelling, off the National Highway, not only you travel in soot free and serene environment but you see more too. Riding my trusted old motorbike on Band Patri (not a thoroughfare) of Lower Bari Doab Canal (LBDC) from Sahiwal to Balloki Headworks. Many new and interesting things come in the way, which normally remain hidden from commuters on the National Highway or travellers in the area.

The journey embraces you with lovely colours, atmosphere, people and bits and pieces of history. And, there is no hassle anywhere in the way.

An old, sleepy and tranquil village Satghara lies about 80 kilometres from Lahore (20 minutes drive away from Okara) in the quiet backwaters of the Punjab. On the southern bank of the Ravi, it is a typical Pakistani village where farmers live like rustics in the face of urban attractions. Though off the beaten track, it has never been out of limelight. Besides heritage conscious travellers from all over the world, Baloch leaders and contemporary historians visit the hamlet. Reasons: it is a “Tukia Nawab Chakar Ki” - last resting-place of Mir Chakar Rind. Part of our history is buried here.

Karachi is famous as “land of opportunities” in Pakistan. During my period of initial orientation - tea used to be served for four annas per quarter cup then - and continuous visits later; I have found Karachi is constantly reinventing itself. It is a land of superlatives: Pakistan’s biggest and one of the most prosperous cosmopolitan cities, home to universities and colleges, historic, cultural, and commercial center. It has been a land of plenty since centuries.

Located near old Multan, Khanewal is comparatively a recently founded town. Its only claim to fame is that it is an important destination on the map of Pakistan Railways. Busy railway junction, railway workshop, pre stressed concrete sleeper factory and huge shunting yards have developed a sort of railway culture in this agricultural market town. National highway also passes the town but people mostly uses railways for travelling and transportation.

This area was a vast grazing land before the excavation of Lower Bari Doab Canal. As per the local lore, the grass from this land used to go as far as Burma during the Second World War.