Food Streets of Pakistan

Lahore Food Streets


Lahore is city of live hearted people, always finding an occasion for enjoyment, entertainment and good feast. While parks and other recreational facilities are filled with holiday makers, specially on weekends, the eateries are seldom found vacant throughout the weekdays. The traditional food of Lahore is found in the Walled City of Lahore, while the western and Chinese cuisines are generally found in the posh localities of Lahore Cantonment, Gulberg, Shadman and Shahjamal.



However, recently, a novel idea of establishing Food Streets outside the Walled City for the easy access to locals and tourists has gained much popularity. The first food street was opened in an alley of Gawalmandi, near the famous Mayo Hospital on Nisbat Road. The idea was to bring out the old and traditional foods for all and sundry at one place. Now the famous "Phajjay kay Paye" (joints of goat) originated from old Lahore, are available here, besides the Doctor Nihari, Sardar's fried fish, pathooray, katlamma and much more. Besides for the sweet tooth, a variety of sweet dishes are available like jalaibees, firni, kheer and others.

But that is not all. The old houses overlooking the streets have been renovated and their old balconies redone with wood carving and lights installed to provide more hues to the street down below. These look more enchanting and mystic through the sizzling smoke of BBQ food being prepared in abundance round the clock.



Lahorites bring their outstation guests to these streets to show their typical hospitality. And order kilos of various varieties of cooked meat, chicken, fish and other food items. After the food, a glass of iced Lassi, made of yogurt, water, sugar and "pairay" - a sweet made of thickened milk and sugar, served in large aluminum glasses adds to the everlasting taste (below right). Those who are good at it, prefer to drink it in one breath, called "deek" in local Punjabi language. Try it next time.



By the way, do not forget to eat "paan" - many substances wrapped in the beetle leaf, before leaving the Food Streets. These "Paan" sellers have deliberately established their shops on the entrance of the streets to provide the last taste of a wonderful evening spent in the food streets. The Food Streets close in morning around 8 am after serving the traditional breakfast of "Hawla and Poori" served with Lassi, Nihari and Hareesa. These dishes are difficult to describe and digest too since these are very rich in oil and peppers. so be careful, just in case.



"Paan" seller at the entrance of Gawalmandi Food Street

Other two Food Streets are located in Old Anarkali (off the Mall Road) and in the Walled City of Lahore. These remain open throughout the night and are seldom found empty. Now Lahorites treat their guests, specially from outside Lahore in the Food Streets rather than anywhere else.

LAKE AND DAMS IN PAKISTAN

Rawal Lake
This glistening man-made lake covers an area of 8.8 sq. km. The terraced garden and the lake are ideal for picnic, fishing and boating. The highest point in the garden commands a panoramic view of the lake, Margallah and Murree hills, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The PTDC Jaltarang Restaurant offers snack bar facilities for visitors.

Khanpur Lake
This beautiful lake/dam is 48 km from Islamabad, on Taxila-Haripur Road. It is an ideal place for day trip/picnic, boating, angling and watching migratory birds during winter.

Simli Lake
About 30 km from Islamabad lies Simli Lake and the Dam. It can be reached via Lehtrar road or via Bhara Kahu. It is fed by the melting snow and natural springs of Murree hills. The water stored in the lake is supplied to Islamabad for drinking purposes. Angling and boating is also allowed in the lake. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has a Rest House at the Dam, which can be booked through its Head Office in Islamabad.

Misriot Dam
Misriot dam is located 12 km south-west of Rawalpindi. This small dam has an artificial lake with boating and fishing facilities. Fishing permit may be obtained from fishing guard at Misriot. It has a pleasant landscape and walkways beyond the lake among eruptions of black rocks.

Tanaza Dam
It is a small dam located at about 35 Km south-west of Rawalpindi on Dhamial Road. Ideal for a day trip, the lake has a quiet atmosphere.

Tarbela Dam
The world's largest earth-filled dam on one of the world's most important rivers - the Indus - is 103 km from Rawalpindi. The dam was completed in 1976 at a cost of Rs.18.5 billion. Over 15,000 Pakistani and 800 foreign workers and engineers worked during its construction. It is the biggest hydel power station in Pakistan having a capacity of generating 3,478 MW of electricity. Its reservoir is 97 km long with a depth of 137 meters while total area of the lake is 260 sq.km. Permits are required for visiting the Dam. Please contact Public Relations Officer (PRO), Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Tarbela (Tel: 051-568941-2). A No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Interior (Shaheed-e-Millat Sectt.), Islamabad is also required for foreign visitors.

Mangla Dam
World's third largest earth-filled dam is only 115 km south-east of Rawalpindi. One has to turn left from Dina Town and the dam on river Jhelum is about 14 km to the east. The dam is 3,353 meters long and 116 meters high above the river bed. It is designed to store 5.88 MAF water and also used for power generation. In the centre of the dam there is a Gakkhar Fort from where one can have a panoramic view of the lake. For permit to visit the dam, please contact PRO, WAPDA, Mangla. A NOC from the Ministry of Interior is required for foreigners only.

Kallar Kahar Lake
The main attraction of the eastern Salt Range are the shrine of Saidan Shah at Choa Saidan Shah, the lake and shrine of Abdul Qadir Gilani at Kallar Kahar and the Hindu Temple Complex at Katas. Kallar Kahar is located about 135 km from Rawalpindi. The TDCP has built a six-room motel and restaurant overlooking Kallar Kahar (Salt Lake) with boating facilities. The Temple of Shiva at Katas (10th century AD) and other temples around Katas are valuable pieces of architecture and history.

Warsak Dam
The gignatic multi-purpose Warsak Dam is situated 30 kms north-west of Peshawar in the heart of tribal territory. It has a total generating capacity of 240,000 kw and will eventually serve to irrigate 110,000 acres of land.

Rama Lake one of the most picturesque spots, nine kilometers away from the beautiful valley of Astore in Northern Area is Rama Lake. Apart from being a beautiful destination, the Alpine Forest around it imparts a pleasant atmosphere. The area has many Trekkers/Hikers routes and some of them are ideal for Jeep Safaris.

PTDC’s newly constructed Motel at Rama Lake is a welcome addition as an important tourist resort. By virtue of its peculiar location it can conveniently serve as a base camp for trekkers and mountaineers intending to scale the mighty heights of Nanga Parbat.

Satpara Lake one of the largest fresh water lakes of the country. By and large, the lake offers ample opportunity for trout fishing, boating and rowing.

PTDC’s newly built Motel and furnished is ideally located overlooking at Satpara lake. The Motel is 9 kilometers from Skardu, capital city of Baltistan and takes about 20 minutes by Jeep. Another one hour drive by jeep will take you upto an altitude of 16000 feet on to the second largest plateau of the world popularly known as Deosai Plain.

Bagshar lake is an ideal tourist resort in the Samhani valley in Mirpur district. It is a 6 km long sheet of crystal clear water that soothes the senses of a traveller after a 60 km road journey from Gujrat via Bhimber on the old Mughal road to Kashmir. It was through this road that Mughal Emperors travelled to Kashmir.


Haliji Lake is the largest bird sanctuary near Karachi where every winter, thousand of migratory birds come from as far as Siberia. It is 82 kms. (54 miles) from Karachi and is a paradise for bird-watcher. Accommodation is available for overnight stay.

Kachura Lakes
Places of interest in and around Skardu include Shigar, Kherpachuo Fort, Satpara and Kachura Lakes, famous for deep blue waters and brown trout making them an anglers delight. Visit to Deosai plains is an experience of a lifetime.

Lal Sahanra National Park is 36 km east of Bahawalpur, an ideal place for recreation and research. A natural fresh water lake and thick green forest add beauty to the place.

Mohodand Lake A days’ excursion to the charming Ushu and Gabral valleys can be conveniently arranged. Visit to Mohodand Lake is a lifetime experience.

Pakistan: Security

Pakistan recently underwent significant political and structural reforms, moving towards macro-economic stability, debt management, revival of the democratic process with increased women’s representation, major institutional reforms with emphasis on devolution and decentralization, significant progress in information technology, reduction in population growth, and food grain self-sufficiency, which has been maintained for the past several years. Efforts to combat corruption and improve law and order have been firmly established. The nation has demonstrated resilience in dealing with the challenges posed by drought, the impact of the Afghan crisis, influx of refugees and the 11 September aftermath. While the difficult regional security situation has led to a diversion of scarce development resources to defence, Pakistan has striven to resolve issues according to the principles of the United Nations Charter, as indicated in the common country assessment (CCA). With a human development index of 0.498 in 1999, Pakistan ranked 127 out of a total of 162 countries, and with a gender-related development index of 0.466 in 1999 it ranked 117 out of a total of 146 countries, according to the Human Development Report 2001. According to government estimates in 2000, 34 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line, while the cost of environmental degradation was estimated at 4.3 per cent of GDP in 1998. Although there has been some improvement in women’s status over the last several years, the position of women in Pakistan remains weak and gender disparities are reflected in all social indicators. As a result of its debt burden, low revenue base and recent low growth rates, Pakistan has not been able to invest adequately in human development. Public investments in the 1990s focused mainly on infrastructure. Private education and health services are common but expensive, whereas public services are inadequate, particularly in rural areas and for women and girls. Social regression, land degradation and unemployment have further reduced. resources available to the poor. It is recognized that the answer to these problems lies in improving the quality of governance, making make it more inclusive and participatory; strengthening systems of accountability and transparency; promoting citizens’ involvement in decisions that influence their lives; and strengthening the role of the Government in facilitating development.

Military branches: Army (includes National Guard), Navy (includes Marines and Maritime Security Agency), Pakistan Air Force (Pakistan Fiza'ya) (2008) Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed for combat until age of 18; the Pakistani Air Force and Pakistani Navy have inducted their first female pilots and sailors (2006) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 42,633,765 females age 16-49: 40,114,017 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 33,690,322 females age 16-49: 32,602,910 (2009 est.

Kalash Valley

r Kalash
The Wearers of Black Robe

Kalash Valley: Where Fairies Dance and Sing

Obscured by high mountains and treacherous muddy tracks, there live a people up in the north of Pakistan, who do not even know who they are or from where they came to live a life of isolation - yet maintain and protect their beliefs, their ideology and way of living. Their ancestry is enveloped in mystery and has always remained a subject of controversy. A legend says that five soldiers of the legions of Alexander of Macedonia settled in Chitral and are the progenitors of the Kafir-Kalash. One can still find similarities between the sports and games (specially the wrestling and shot-put style with those practiced in the ancient Olympics. Their features are not local and are thought to resemble those of the South-European characteristics. Some even find their influence of Greek music in Kalash music. Alexander the Great when encountered Kalash, he is said to have remarked that he encountered strange wooden boxes, which his troops chopped up to be used as firewood. These "boxes" were actually coffins for their dead following the custom which the Kalash Kafirs of Chitral still have of leaving their dead outside in wooden coffins. He also described them as a light skinned race of European type people, which is exactly what they are. Kalash ruled over the areas now part of the Chitral Valley and neighbouring Afghanistan for three centuries (1200-1400AD). Remnants and ruins of Kalash forts can still be seen Uchusht and Asheret . The famous bridge over Chitral River known as Chee Bridge was also built by a Kalash ruler. The names of Bala Sing, Razhawai and Nagar Shao are still alive in the folklore of Chitral. They were the most prominent among the eight Kalash Kings.

Between the town of Drosh and Chitral city, a track turn to the left from village of Ayun on Kunar river to the Kalash Valley, where these strange yet attractive people live in three villages of Rukmu, Mumret and Biriu (called Rambur, Bumburet and Birir in local Kalashi language), south of Chitral. Bumburet (above right), the largest and the most picturesque valley of the Kafirs, is 40 kilometres from Chitral and is connected by a jeepable road. Birir and Rambur are located at a distance of 34 and 32 kilometres respectively from Chitral. The present population of the Kafir Kalash is approximately 3,000. However, after living in obscurity for long, their children are now studying in local schools, but do not move out to seek other avenues of livelihood and continue to cling to their age old traditions and customs. The villages are situated on the southern face of the hillside about 50-100 meters above the river. This protects them from invaders and the floods in summer, and at the same time helps to get sunshine during the winter. The snow that lies on the bottom of the ravine and in the shade do not melt until spring. In summer to avoid the sun, some people live in a second house built on the opposite side of the river. The Kalash Valleys have extensive forests of Holly-Oak and Himalayan cedar. Walnut, Apricot, Apple, Pear and Mulberry trees abound near the villages.

The Kalash women wear five large braids of and the 'Cheo', a black woolen homespun dress, red-beaded necklaces by the dozen, and an exceptional head piece (shaped differently in each valley) covered in cowrie shells, beads and trinkets that flow down their back. For their black robes, the Kalash are sometimes referred to as the "Wearers of the Black Robes". Kalash means black in their language.

Rudyard Kipling's "The Man Who Would Be King" is purported to be in the Kafir Kalash Valleys. In the late 19th century the present day Kalash Valley was known as Kafiristan -- Land of the Infidels -- and extended to several valleys in present day Afghanistan. However, the inhabitants of the Afghan Kafir valleys were forcibly converted to Islam, leaving only the tribes of the three valleys of Rambur Bumburet and Birir to carry on their centuries-old animistic culture. In order to conserve this primitive pagan tribe and to protect their distinctive identity, unparalleled in the world, the Government of Pakistan has officially forbidden anybody from trying to convert these tribes to another religion.

The Kalash tribes have their own distinctive religious and social traditions. The Kalash believe in God they call “Deziao”. However their religious practices are a mixture of animism and ancestor worship. Their god is represented in wooden effigy, while animal effigies represent their belief in animism. There is also a concept of male and female sacred spirits called “Dewalok” who are responsible for different activities and are believed to communicate prayers to Deziao. There is also a concept of pure-impure dualism in Kalash religion. The pure is called ‘Onjesta’- the pure – while women are considered Pragata- the impure. They leave their dead open in the coffins, even when the bodies have become mere skeletons (below left). They usually leave all of the belongings of that person next to their coffins. At nightfall, animals and other beasts of pray come down the mountains and eat up what remains of that dead while the belongings are carried away by other inhabitants in the area. The Kafirs end up believing that the deceased has gone along with his belongings. The Kalash graveyards are smelly for the obvious reason and the faint hearted should not go as they should expect to see unsuitable scenes.

Kalash women adorned with make-up and their necks laden with bright orange and yellow necklaces, wear brightly coloured embroidered robes, which go very well with their rather fair colour and generally blue eyes. The women in Kalash are expected to treasure traditional knowledge. Yet when it comes to sitting around for a lunch or dinner, like many other agrarian communities, they are suppose to take a back seat, eat less and offer the better dietary constituents, like butter, milk and meat, to their brothers, husbands and sons. There are special laws for women. In the special days, women are sent to make shift made shelters (above centre), called "Bashali", till they are clean. There are also segregation rooms (above right) for expecting mothers. The Kalash believe that women in later stages of pregnancy are impure therefore they avoid getting into contact with them. For this purpose, these special rooms are built where such women live up to four months. All food and other necessities are provided to them during their stay, but care is taken in not touching the impure women.

While visiting the holy places, care should be taken that altars and holy places could only be visited by male tourists not by females because women are not allowed to these sacred places and it is strictly forbidden for them. In addition, there are some places like Bashali, Bashalini (Menstruation House) where the males are not allowed..

The wooden temples of the Kalash are often elaborately carved, especially around the doors, pillars and ceilings. Some of the holy places are closed to women; both Kalash and foreign. If a woman accidentally goes to these places, they are fined a goat or an equivalent amount of money. They make offerings to several gods, each of which protects a different aspect of life and livelihood; animals, crops, fruits, family etcetera. The Kalashi build their houses of timber and fill the cracks between the logs with mud and pebbles. They have holes in their roofs to let smoke escape through the wooden ceiling. In summer, the Kalash women can be seen, sitting on the wide verandah on the second story, cooking or weaving. The Kafir women are known for their toughness since all household chores and work in the fields are performed by them while the men can be spotted either idling around with other men or taking care of the kids in the homes or doing other minor chores.

The Kalash are a friendly and cheerful people, who love music and dancing, particularly on their religious festivals like Joshi Chilamjusht (14th & 15th May in spring), Phool (20th-25th September) and Chowas (18th to 21st December). In the spring festival Joshi, autumn festival Uchao, weddings, funerals, feasts and on many other occasions the whole society of the Kalash gather and participate in a grand performance called cha, drajahilak and dushak. These are set performances all consisting of song (ghu), dance (nat) and the drums but the details differ respectively. 5 to 10 elders make a circle and one of them will sing alone, followed by a chorus. Besides them there will be one set of drummers, one playing a barrel shaped drum called dahu and the other a glass-hour shaped drum, wach. Around the elders and the drummers, 20 to 200 dancers dance while singing.

Chowas (or Choimus) Festival: Chowas is a winter festival celebrated to welcome the New Year. The entire population remains indoor. It is celebrated by feasting and merry making until the elders, who sit on a hill top, watching the sun reaching the orbit, then declare the advent of the New Year. Children go up to the mountain, where they divide into boys and girls, and respectively make a big bonfire. After singing songs for some time the fire will be extinguished and then the two groups will compete with each other for the size of the smoke that rises up in the air. Then they all go down the mountain and return to the village singing " songs of Sarazari" carrying branches cut down from the mountain top. The elders will be waiting chanting songs in the village. Joshi Festival: In the month of May, when the entire valley is cloaked in green, covered with the leaves of the walnut tree, it is time for Joshi. Everyone is waiting for the festival to start. Young ladies are busy preparing their dresses for this special day. The first day of Joshi is "Milk Day", on which the Kalash offer libations of milk that has been saved for ten days prior to the festival. Pu Festival of Birir: When the walnuts and grapes are all collected and wine-making is done, it is time for Pu festival in Biriu. Guru is the first village you encounter in the valley and at the entrance of the next you shall meet the wooden statues gandaw.
While the Kalash are trying to conserve their traditional style and lifestyle, some of them are reaching out to the outer world to prove their abilities and knowledge. One of such Kalashis is Lakshan Bibi (pictured right), an avid Kalash women rights activist and a pilot. When in her villages, one cannot differentiate her from other Kalash women since she continues to attire in the traditional Kalash dress. She can speak English, Greek, Urdu and Pashto, besides local Kuhwar. She runs an NGO and different educational and health institutions. She is also instrumental in arranging and conducting visits of Kalash girls to different countries all over the globe to project the Kalash culture.

Visiting Kalash: The temperature of Kalash is very pleasant in summers and the best time to visit is between May and September if someone is planning a visit by road. For those using air link, one can extend it by another two months. The maximum temperature of Kalash valley in summers is between 23°C to 27°C and the mean minimum temperature is between 2°C to 1°C. In winters, the entire region in general and Kalash Valley in particular comes in the grip of cold northerly winds. The extreme minimum temperature recorded in the valleys have been -4.8°C to -15°C for the month of January and February. The valley get rainfall between 700mm to 800mm. From December to March occasionally even later, snowfall is quite frequent Kalash valley.

Mega Projects of Pakistan

Indus Basin Water Treaty 1960 At the time of partition of India and Pakistan, there arose a dispute on the use of water resources since all rivers flowing in to Pakistan originated from India. The accord signed in 1960 at Karachi, Pakistan gave water of Indus, Jhelum and Chenab to Pakistan, whereas Ravi and Beas (Sutlej in Pakistan) were to be used by India. The treaty was signed by Pakistani president Ayub Khan and Indian prime minister Nehru. Consequent to this agreed upon distribution, decision was taken to build to big water storages on the Indus (Tarbela Dam) and Jhelum (Mangla Dam) rivers. Thereafter, many small dams have also been added. In 90s, Ghazi Barotha project came up without constructing a water reservoir for generating electricity. Highways and Motorways Pakistan inherited a poor infrastructure of road network throughout the country. With the passage of time, the road network has been considerable been improved. The construction of first mega project in this sector was the Super Highway connecting Karachi and Hyderabad in the province of Sind. Much later, the marvel of road construction saw coming up of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) connecting Pakistan to China over some of the rugged mountains of the world along the gushing and roaring river Indus. Then came the era of Motorways in the 90s with the construction of M-2, connecting Lahore and Islamabad. This chain is now been extended to many other destinations and is still expanding. The recent addition is the Coastal Highway, connecting Karachi to the newly developed port of Gwadar along the Makran coast skirting the Arabian Sea. Sea Ports Since 1947, Pakistan has had only one sea port at Karachi, which has been under tremendous pressure to bear the burden of all export and import related activities. Karachi. Although Pakistan has a long stretch of coastline along the Arabian Sea from the Sir Creek in the east to Gwader in the west, no worthwhile effort had been put to increase the outlets to the sea. Port Bin Qasim, some 35 kilometres west of Karachi was the second outlet added mainly to import raw material for the only Steel Mills of the country. Later Pakistan Navy constructed and developed a new base for itself at Ormara. Now work is underway to develop a deep sea port at Gwader, just at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, which would go a long way in reducing shipping costs for all imports, specially crude oil from the Gulf states as well as providing a short cut to warm waters to CARs, Afghanistan and China in the north. Future Requirement of Water and Construction of Big Dams Presently, out of a total of 77 million acres of cultivable land in Pakistan, only only 44 million acres is under cultivation due to sacristy of water, which is to the magnitude of 9 MAF. Due to silting of Mangla and Tarbela Dams, water capacity is reducing @ 3.6 MAF and if this trend continues, there will be a shortfall of 25 MAF of water by 2020. Although the present government has undertaken a gigantic task of brick lining the small water courses from canals to farms, this would be able to save only 5 MAF of water, leaving a net shortfall of 15-20 MAF of water. Unless, 3-5 major dams are built by 2016, Pakistan will have left with no water to irrigate its lands. Therefore the cabinet has recently decided to build five major dams on the Indus and other rivers to save excess water running down the Indus into Arabian Sea. The proposed dams on the Indus include Skardu, Bhasha, Akhori and Kalabagh dams. Out of these Kalabagh Dam has been much controversial, specially by the NWFP and Sind provinces. Therefore , for the time being the government has decided to go ahead with the construction of Bhasha and Munda Dams, both located in the NWFP. Comparison - Skardu, Bhasha, Akhori and Kalabagh Dams All mega dams planned on River Indus are equally important - however, Skardu Dam being far up in the north may prove to be expensive since the transmission losses from extended power lines will be more besides submerging of Skardu city. Bhasha Dam will have a live storage capacity of 7.30 MAF and installed power generation capacity of 4500 megawatts. It will store only 50 MAF glacial water from the northern mountains. Estimated cost $ 6.5 billion. Kalabagh Dam is planned to be constructed below Akhori (Talagang) with a live storage capacity of 6.1 MAF and installed capacity of maximum 3,600 megawatts at an estimated cost of 6.1 billion $. Unlike Bhasha, it will also have 90 MAF water inlet from Soan, Kabul, Chitral and Haro rivers and thus will be able to store the monsoon water from these additional rivers. Akhori Dam near Talagang will be able to store 6 MAF while water available will be 14 MAF with an installed capacity of 600 megawatts Skardu Dam is presently under study and hence most of the data is only approximate. The water available will be 27 MAF. Munda Dam is a prelude to the construction of Kalabagh Dam, basically designed to save Nowshera from flooding and to alleviate any misgivings the people of NWFP may have on the construction of Kalabagh Dam, which must be built to store all downstream rain/monsoon water which gets wasted away due to non availability of any water storage reservoir downstream Kalabagh. Water Disputes with India Since the Indus Basin Treaty, India has been violating it in one way or the other. The Baglihar Dam being the latest incursion on the water being made available to Pakistan from the Chenab river. As per the Treaty, India is not allowed to build storage or diversion of the river water. However, under the garb of only installing hdro-electricity generation capability, India has planned construction in such a way that the site can store the river water and can thus be controlled to her advantage. Presently, the World Bank is monitoring the issue and no decision has yet been taken.

Nuclear Pakistan

Pakistan's Nuclear Explosion - Takbeer Day - May 28, 1998

Pakistan's nuclear weapons program was established in 1972 by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who founded the program while he was Minister for Fuel, Power and Natural Resources, and later became President and Prime Minister. Shortly after the loss of East Pakistan in the 1971 war with India, Bhutto initiated the program with a meeting of physicists and engineers at Multan in January 1972.

India's 1974 testing of a nuclear "device" gave Pakistan's nuclear program new momentum. Through the late 1970s, Pakistan's program acquired sensitive uranium enrichment technology and expertise. The 1975 arrival of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khanconsiderably advanced these efforts. Dr. Khan is a German-trained metallurgist who brought with him knowledge of gas centrifuge technologies that he had acquired through his position at the classified URENCO uranium enrichment plant in the Netherlands.

Dr. Khan also reportedly brought with him uranium enrichment technologies from Europe. He was put in charge of building, equipping and operating Pakistan's Kahuta facility, which was established in 1976. Under Khan's direction, Pakistan employed an extensive clandestine network in order to obtain the necessary materials and technology for its developing uranium enrichment capabilities.

In 1985, Pakistan crossed the threshold of weapons-grade uranium production, and by 1986 it is thought to have produced enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon. Pakistan continued advancing its uranium enrichment program, and according to Pakistani sources, the nation acquired the ability to carry out a nuclear explosion in1987.

Infrastructure

Pakistan's nuclear program is based primarily on highly enriched uranium (HEU), which is produced at the A. Q. Khan research laboratory at Kahuta, a gas centrifuge uranium enrichment facility. The Kahuta facility has been in operation since the early 1980s. By the early 1990s, Kahuta had an estimated 3,000 centrifuges in operation, and Pakistan continued its pursuit of expanded uranium enrichment capabilities

Nuclear Tests

On May 28, 1998 Pakistan announced that it had successfully conducted five nuclear tests. The Pakistani Atomic Energy Commission reported that the five nuclear tests conducted on May 28 generated a seismic signal of 5.0 on the Richter scale, with a total yield of up to 40 KT (equivalent TNT). Dr. A.Q. Khan claimed that one device was a boosted fission device and that the other four were sub-kiloton nuclear devices.

On May 30, 1998 Pakistan tested one more nuclear warhead with a reported yield of 12 kilotons. The tests were conducted atBalochistan, bringing the total number of claimed tests to six. It has also been claimed by Pakistani sources that at least one additional device, initially planned for detonation on 30 May 1998, remained emplaced underground ready for detonation.

The decision of nuclear tests was made by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, amid high pressure from the world. These tests came slightly more than two weeks after India carried out five nuclear tests of its own on May 11 and 13 and after many warnings by Pakistani officials that they would respond to India.

Pakistan: Art And Culture

Pakistan has every reason to be proud of the thousands of years old and rich tradition of its arts and crafts. In the post-independence period, the successive governments have been providing substantial state help and initiative for the uplift of arts and crafts in the country. A wider recognition of the accomplishments of crafts-people has been facilitated by the activities of the National Crafts Council and promotional plans of organizations such as the Export Promotion Bureau and Small Industries Corporations.Pakistani craftsmen are well reputed in producing quality products in clay, stone, fabrics, carpets, wood, metal, jewelry and leather. Culture Pakistan has been the cradle of a civilization that dates back more than five millennium. Over the centuries, through successive waves of migrations from the north-west, as well as by internal migrations across the subcontinent, Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Arabs, and Mughals came and settled in this region. However, it was Islam and Islamic traditions that finally took roots and formed the mainspring of Pakistan's cultural heritage. Muslims from the earliest days, built cities, forts, palaces, mosques, madrassas (religious schools), tombs and mausoleums which are marked by simplicity and grandeur, with open spaces and abundance of light in accordance with the Islamic concept of man's direct and open relationship with the Creator. Pakistan inherits immense treasure of culture, and the government is trying its best to preserve and promote this cultural treasure. There are several government agencies such as Pakistan National Council of Arts, Lok Virsa (Folk Heritage), National Film Development Corporation, Authority for Preservation of Moenjodaro and National Archives of Pakistan, each to perform a given set of functions in this area.

Pakistan: Geography

Pakistan has a total area of 803,940 square kilometers, slightly greater than France and the United Kingdom put together. Pakistan is located in South Asia. To the south is the Arabian Sea, with 1,046 km of Pakistani coastline. To Pakistan's east is India, which has a 2,912 km border with Pakistan To its west is Iran, which has a 909 km border with Pakistan. To Pakistan's northwest lies Afghanistan, with a shared border of 2,430 km. China is towards the northeast and has a 523 km border with Pakistan. The main waterway of Pakistan is the Indus River that begins in China, and runs nearly the entire length of Pakistan, flowing through all of Pakistan's provinces except Balochistan. is fed by the combined waters of three of the five rivers of Punjab the Chenab, Jhelum, and Ravi. The waters of the other two rivers, the Beas and the Sutlej, are largely withdrawn for irrigation in India. Along the Indus and its tributaries are found most of Pakistan's population, its chief agricultural areas, and its major hydroelectric power stations, interconnected by the world's largest system of agricultural canals, join the Indus before it discharges into the Arabian Sea. The northern and western areas of Pakistan are mountainous. Pakistani administered areas of Kashmir contain some of the highest mountains in the world, including the second tallest, K-2. Northern Pakistan tends to receive more rainfall than the southern parts of the country, and has some areas of preserved moist temperate forest. In the southeast, Pakistan's border with India passes through a flat desert, called the Cholistan or Thal Desert. West-central Balochistan has a high desert plateau, bordered by low mountain ranges. Most of the Punjab, and parts of Sindh, are fertile plains where agriculture is of great importance. Major Vegetative Zone : • Permanent snow fields & glaciers • Dry alpine & cold desert zone • Alpine scrub & moist alpine • Himalayan dry coniferous with ilex oak • Himalayan moist temperate forest • Sub-tropical pine forest • Sub-tropical dry mixed deciduous scrub forest • Balochistan Juniper & pistachio scrub forest • Dry sub-tropical and temperate semi-evergreen scrub forest • Tropical thorn forest & sand dune desert • Mangrove and littoral • Sand dune desert Agro Ecological zones include: • Indus Delta • Southern irrigated plain • Sandy deserts • Northern irrigated plains • Rain-fed lands • Wet mountains • Northern dry mountains • Western dry mountains • Dry western plateau • Sulaiman piedmont

More Update Geography Controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north Geographic coordinates: 30 00 N, 70 00 E Area: total: 803,940 sq km land: 778,720 sq km water: 25,220 sq km Size comparison: slightly less than twice the size of California Land Boundaries: total: 6,774 km border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km Coastline: 1,046 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north Terrain: flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistan plateau in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m Natural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone Land use: arable land: 24.44% permanent crops: 0.84% other: 74.72% (2005) Irrigated land: 182,300 sq km (2003) Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August) Current Environment Issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; most of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification International Environment Agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Pakistan: Human Resources

Labour Force And Employment On the basis of the estimated population of 148.72 million and the participation rate of 29.61 percent, as per the Labour Force Survey 2001-02, the total labour force is estimated at 45.05 million. Of this, 30.19 million or 67.03 percent is in the rural areas and 14.85 million or 32.97 percent is in the urban areas. Population Growth and Literacy Rates (1999 to 2003) Mid Year Total Population (Million) Growth Rate (%) Literacy Rate (%) Rate % Change 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 136.64 139.76 142.86 145.96 149.03(E) 2.29 2.24 2.22 2.16 2.10 45.0 47.1 49.0 50.5 51.6 3.2 4.7 4.0 3.1 2.2 E: Estimated Source: Population Census Organization & Ministry of Planning & Dev. Division Selected Demographic Indicators Indicators Year (2003) Total Fertility Rate (TFR) Crude Birth Rate (CBR) Crude Death Rate Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) (per 100 thousand live birth) Life Expectancy Male Female 4.3 27.3 8 83 350-435 63 Employed Labour Force By Sectors (No. in million) Sector 2003 No. % Share Agriculture: Manufacturing & Mining: Construction: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Transport: Finance, Insurance, Community & Social Services: Others: 19.08 4.55 2.28 5.32 1.98 5.92 0.28 48.42 11.55 5.78 13.50 5.03 15.02 0.70 Total: 39.41 100.00

Economy of Pakistan : Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, has suffered from decades of internal political disputes, low levels of foreign investment, and declining exports of manufactures. Faced with untenable budgetary deficits, high inflation, and hemorrhaging foreign exchange reserves, the government agreed to an International Monetary Fund Standby Arrangement in November 2008. Between 2004-07, GDP growth in the 6-8% range was spurred by gains in the industrial and service sectors, despite severe electricity shortfalls. Poverty levels decreased by 10% since 2001, and Islamabad steadily raised development spending in recent years. In 2008 the fiscal deficit - a result of chronically low tax collection and increased spending - exceeded Islamabad's target of 4% of GDP. Inflation remains the top concern among the public, jumping from 7.7% in 2007 to 24.4% in 2008, primarily because of rising world fuel and commodity prices. In addition, the Pakistani rupee has depreciated significantly as a result of political and economic instability. GDP (purchasing power parity): $452.7 billion (2008 est.) $427.9 billion (2007) $404.5 billion (2006) GDP (official exchange rate): $160.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.8% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,600 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20.4% industry: 26.6% services: 53% (2008 est.) Labor force: 50.58 million note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 43% industry: 20.3% services: 36.6% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.4% plus substantial underemployment (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 24% (FY05/06 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 26.3% (2002) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 30.6 (FY07/08) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20.8% (2008 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 20% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $22.14 billion expenditures: $32.09 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 49.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Agriculture - products: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs Industries: textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp Industrial production growth rate: 4.6% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 93.26 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 68.4 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 68,670 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 345,000 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 28,060 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 290,600 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 289.2 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 30.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 30.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 792.8 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$10.57 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $20.62 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: textiles (garments, bed linen, cotton cloth, yarn), rice, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, manufactures, carpets and rugs Exports - partners: US 18%, UAE 10.4%, Afghanistan 8.4%, China 5.2%, UK 4.7% (2007) Imports: $35.38 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics, transportation equipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron and steel, tea Imports - partners: China 16.2%, Saudi Arabia 10.9%, UAE 10.1%, US 5.7%, Kuwait 4.9%, Japan 4.4% (2007) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $9.104 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $43.23 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $25.31 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.032 billion (2008 est.) Market value of publicly traded shares: $70.26 billion (31 December 2007) Currency (code): Pakistani rupee (PKR) Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PKR) per US dollar - 70.64 (2008 est.), 60.6295 (2007), 60.35 (2006), 59.515 (2005), 58.258 (2004) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Pakistan: Civil Society

Population 144 millions 2002, Population growth rate 2.06% (2002 est.) Ethnic Groups In general percentages of population similar to linguistic groups: Punjabis:66percent, Sindhis:13 percent, Pakhtuns:10 percent, Baloch: 3 percent, Muhajirs: 7 percent, and other ethnic groups: 1 percent. Language Urdu official language, but English in general use in government,military, business, and higher education. Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English official and lingua francaUrdu of Pakistani and most government ministries), and other Dardack languages 8% . Religion About 97 percent of Pakistanis are Muslim, 77 percent of whom are Sunnis and 20 percent Shia; remaining 3 percent of population divided equally among Christians, Hindus, and other religions. Education and Literacy Primary schools: 150,963 Middle schools: 14,595 High schools: 9,808 Arts & science colleges: 798 Professional colleges: 161 Universities: 35 (10 in Private sector) Marriage It is a means of allying two extended families; romantic attachments have little role to play. The husband and wife are primarily representatives of their respective families in a contractual arrangement, which is typically negotiated between two male heads of household. It is fundamentally the parents' responsibility to arrange marriages for their children, but older siblings may be actively involved if the parents die early or if they have been particularly successful in business or politics. The terms are worked out in detail and are noted, by law, at the local marriage registry. Purdah Space is allocated to and used differently by men and women. For their protection and respectability, women have traditionally been expected to live under the constraints of purdah (purdah is Persian for curtain), most obvious in veiling. By separating women from the activities of men, both physically and symbolically, purdah creates differentiated male and female spheres. It is practiced in various ways, depending on family tradition, region, class, and rural or urban residence, but nowhere do unrelated men and women mix freely. Among wealthier Pakistanis, urban or rural residence is less important than family tradition in influencing whether women observe strict purdah and the type of veil they wear. In some areas, women simply observe "eye purdah": they tend not to mix with men, but when they do, they avert their eyes when interacting with them. Religious minorities Pakistan is a predominantly Muslim country. The number of all the non-Muslim minorities is 4.919 million in a population of 143 million (2002). These minorities are: Christians, with their largest pockets in Punjab; Hindus, with their largest pockets in Sindh; a small number of Parsis, mainly in the city of Karachi; a small number of Sikhs in Balochistan and NWFP; a small number of Bahais in some urban centres; pockets of indigenous people in Northern Areas and of scheduled castes in Sindh. These are distinct religious groups recognized as such since the British period. In 1974 Pakistan created a new religious minority, Ahmadis. There are also minority Muslim sects, such as Shias, Ismailis and Bohras, that are not treated as religious minorities.

Food Streets of Pakistan

Lahore Food Streets

Lahore is city of live hearted people, always finding an occasion for enjoyment, entertainment and good feast. While parks and other recreational facilities are filled with holiday makers, specially on weekends, the eateries are seldom found vacant throughout the weekdays. The traditional food of Lahore is found in the Walled City of Lahore, while the western and Chinese cuisines are generally found in the posh localities of Lahore Cantonment, Gulberg, Shadman and Shahjamal.

However, recently, a novel idea of establishing Food Streets outside the Walled City for the easy access to locals and tourists has gained much popularity. The first food street was opened in an alley of Gawalmandi, near the famous Mayo Hospital on Nisbat Road. The idea was to bring out the old and traditional foods for all and sundry at one place. Now the famous "Phajjay kay Paye" (joints of goat) originated from old Lahore, are available here, besides the Doctor Nihari, Sardar's fried fish, pathooray, katlamma and much more. Besides for the sweet tooth, a variety of sweet dishes are available like jalaibees, firni, kheer and others.

But that is not all. The old houses overlooking the streets have been renovated and their old balconies redone with wood carving and lights installed to provide more hues to the street down below. These look more enchanting and mystic through the sizzling smoke of BBQ food being prepared in abundance round the clock.

Lahorites bring their outstation guests to these streets to show their typical hospitality. And order kilos of various varieties of cooked meat, chicken, fish and other food items. After the food, a glass of iced Lassi, made of yogurt, water, sugar and "pairay" - a sweet made of thickened milk and sugar, served in large aluminum glasses adds to the everlasting taste (below right). Those who are good at it, prefer to drink it in one breath, called "deek" in local Punjabi language. Try it next time.

By the way, do not forget to eat "paan" - many substances wrapped in the beetle leaf, before leaving the Food Streets. These "Paan" sellers have deliberately established their shops on the entrance of the streets to provide the last taste of a wonderful evening spent in the food streets. The Food Streets close in morning around 8 am after serving the traditional breakfast of "Hawla and Poori" served with Lassi, Nihari and Hareesa. These dishes are difficult to describe and digest too since these are very rich in oil and peppers. so be careful, just in case.

"Paan" seller at the entrance of Gawalmandi Food Street

Other two Food Streets are located in Old Anarkali (off the Mall Road) and in the Walled City of Lahore. These remain open throughout the night and are seldom found empty. Now Lahorites treat their guests, specially from outside Lahore in the Food Streets rather than anywhere else.

Bird Watching in Pakistan

The Chukar (Alectoris chukar) is a Eurasian upland game bird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. Its native range in Asia from Pakistan and Kashmir, India and Afghanistan. It is closely related and similar to its western equivalent, the Red-legged Partridge, Alectoris rufa. The Chukar is a rotund 32-35 cm long bird, with a light brown back, grey breast, and buff belly. The face is white with a black gorget. It has rufous-streaked flanks and red legs. When disturbed, it prefers to run rather than fly, but if necessary it flies a short distance on rounded wings. Chukar prefer rocky, steep, and open hillsides. The Chukar is a resident breeder in dry, open, and often hilly country. In the wild, Chukar travel in groups of 5-40 birds called coveys. It nests in a scantily lined ground scrape laying 8 to 20 eggs. Chukars will take a wide variety of seeds and some insects as food. When in captivity, they will lay 1 egg per day throughout the breeding season if the eggs are collected daily. For hunters, Chakur is a very challneging bird becuase of its surgical upward flights and sudden disappearances in the bushes.

Western Tragopan pheasant - Pallas's Fish-eagle - Greater Spotted Eagle

Pakistan, due to its diverse weather and varied land is home to some of the rare and exclusive birds in the world. Its wetlands and lakes attract millions of migratory birds from across the globe, specially Siberia each year, which besides its own native birds in their natural habitat in the jungles and mountains, provide an excellent opportunity to the bird watchers around the world. Western Tragopan pheasant (Tragopan melanocephalus) is one of the rare species that exists in the northerly mountains and the Macharia National Park, where it is being bred and chances are that this beautiful bird will be able to be saved of its near extinction in Pakistan.

Some of the bird sanctuaries and wild life habitats in Pakistan are as under:-

• Ayubia National Park: This park provides refuge to the elusive leopard and the black bear along with excellent birding.

• Chitral Gol National Park: The park is the home of the elusive snow leopard and some interesting birds.

• Deosai National Park: Birds in the park include Golden eagle, Lammagier Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Laggar falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Indian Sparrow Hawk and Snow cock.

• Drigh Lake: The lake is an important breeding and wintering area for a wide variety of water birds.

Lammagier Vulture - Griffon Vulture - Laggar falcon - Kestrel

• Haleji Lake: Asia's greatest water fowl reserve, Haleji Lake is 70 km (about 52 miles) from Karachi. During winter, a hundred thousand birds fly down to Haleji from the cold of Siberia. It is a bird watchers' paradise. Between Bhanbhore and Thatta, if you turn into the countrylane by the 82km (51/1 mile-furlong stone) a 6-km long drive will bring you to the largest bird sanctuary of the country, Haleji Lake. During the winter, migatory birds come to this lake in very large numbers to the great delight of the bird watchers. You can drive along the 16 km. (10 miles) track around the lake for photography or bird watching.

• Hazar Ganji Chiltan National Park: In the folds of these mountains, many species of birds make their homes.

• Hingol National Park: Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus)

• Indus Dolphin Reserve and Kandhkot Wetland: The vast Indus Basin wetland include Common Teal (Anas crecca), Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris), Great Egret (Casmerodius albus),Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger), Pallas's Fish-eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus), Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa), Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus), Little Stint (Calidris minuta), Small Pratincole (Glareola lactea), River Tern (Sterna aurantia), Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis), Pale-backed Pigeon (Columba eversmanni).

Black-tailed Godwit - Dalmatian Pelican - Mallard - Northern-Shoveler

• Kinjhar (Kalri) Lake: The largest freshwater lake in Pakistan with extensive reedbeds.

• Kirthar National Park: The park is home to some rare species of mammals as well as a great variety of birds.

• Keti Bundar North Wildlife Sanctuary: Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris), Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis)

• Khabbaki Lake: The lake is important as a staging and wintering area for a wide variety of water birds.

• Kheshki Reservoir: A small storage reservoir, originally created to supply local villages with water, now popular with birds.

• Khunjerab National Park: Watch for birds as the hills move back from the road, the valley opens out and the river dwindles to a tiny mountain stream with the odd tuft of grass, willow or birch along its banks

• Kandar Dam: A tiny water storage reservoir (at maximum capacity its area is only 47ha) set in stony hills to the west of the Indus river.

• Lal Suhanra National Park: The park is actually a wildlife sanctuary and features watch towers and tourist huts. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), Pallas's Fish-eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus), Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) and Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) are some of the birds that can be seen here.

Imperial Eagle - Indian Skimmer - Common Coot

• Machiara National Park: Located in the Azad kashmir, this park of special significance since here rare breeds of pheasants, specially the Western Tragopan pheasant (Tragopan melanocephalus) is bred and efforts are at hand to save this beautiful bird from extinction.

• Malugul Dhand: A shallow, brackish lake formed by seasonal flooding of a "dead arm" of the Kurram river.

• Mangla Lake: Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Common Teal (Anas crecca), Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris), Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) and Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) are some of the birds that flock the vast blue waters of Mangla Dam Lake.

• Marala Game Reserve: Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and Common Teal (Anas crecca) can be seen here.

• Margalla Hills National Park: Park provides an excellent opportunity for bird watching.

• Naran Reserve Forest to Saif-ul-Maluk Lake: The clear blue water of the lake, surrounded by snoa covered "Malka Parbat" mountain attract White-cheeked Tit (Aegithalos leucogenys), Brooks's Leaf-warbler (Phylloscopus subviridis), Spectacled Finch (Callacanthis burtoni) and Orange Bullfinch (Pyrrhula aurantiaca) each year. Nothing could be more awe inspiring than watching birds at 12,000 feet.

Brooks's Leaf-warbler - Spectacled Finch - Ruddy Shelduck

• Palas Valley: The temperate forest in this high valley supports around 325 pairs of the very rare and beautiful Western Tragopan, along with a number of other west Himalayan specialties.

• Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary: The endless marshes of Rann of Kutch on the border of India and Sind Province of Pakistan are home to Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope), Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), Northern Pintail (Anas acuta), Common Teal (Anas crecca), Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus), Sarus Crane (Grus antigone), Common Crane (Grus grus), Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), Little Stint (Calidris minuta) and Ruff (Philomachus pugnax).

• Rasool Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary: Northern Pintail (Anas acuta), Common Teal (Anas crecca), Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) and Common Coot (Fulica atra) can be watched from the sanctuary, besides resting on the bank of River Chenab and watching the Rasool Barrage.

Northern Pintail - Sarus Crane - Greater Flamingo -Eurasian Wigeon

• Tanda Dam: The site is of national importance as a wintering and staging area for a wide variety of water birds.

• Thanedar Wala: Most of the area consists of a complex of braided river channels and sandy or muddy islands.

• Ucchali Wetland Complex: Located in the Salt Ranges, the Ucchali Wetland is home to a number of migratory birds like Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris), White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala), Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), Pallas's Fish-eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus), White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) and Common Coot (Fulica atra).