Archive for the ‘Pakistan Travel News’ Category
President (ICC) Ray Mali says Pakistan safe for international cricket
Thursday, June 19th, 2008
Recently President of International Cricket Council (ICC) Ray Mali visited Rawalpindi and said that Pakistan possesses a safe and secure atmosphere for international cricket therefore all teams due to participate in Champions Trophy must ascertain to visit here.
Pakistan is in the best position to arrange Champions Trophy and the preparations for this event are in the dying moments, analyzing the measures taken for the event at Pindi Cricket Stadium, President ICC said.
President ICC was amazed to see the Pindi Cricket Stadium and said the ground can provide International Standards of the cricket.
“I have to prepare a report on the cricketing atmosphere here in Pakistan for which I myself have paid visit in here”, he said talking to the newsmen.
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Festival of colors celebrated in Ramboor Kalash
Sunday, May 18th, 2008
Chitral vally Pakistan frstival of 
colors was celebrated in Ramboor and Briri villages of Kalash tribes in Chitral’s kalash vally. Kalash are kafirs are indigenous people of the hindukush mountains inhabiting these untouched valleys of the North western Pakistan. Every year several religious and cultural festivals are celebrated by the local population in these vallys.
Little girls wear their newly embrioded clothes which mothers and themselves have made during the harsh winter. The festival is actually a welcome to spring after the winter.
Although not very widly belived but it is said that the Kalash people are the decendents of the Alexander the great whio came to this region in 325BC one part of his army entered into this region from hindu kush and some of his armay escaped and found refuge in these dificult to reach valleys. 
The dance of Kalash girls is very similar to that of the greek dances.
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Olympic torch passing thru Pakistan
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan hosted the Olympic torch on Wednesday for its travel to China. Pakistan & China are the lasting friends and have always shared each others ocasions withour any prejudice.
Although the government had made extra security measure for the torch,s journy but in Pakistan the torch will have no trouble of any sort said the AUthorities in islamabad.
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Lufthansa Starts flights to Lahore and Karachi
Monday, July 23rd, 2007
Starting October Lufthansa the German Airline will serve the city of Karachi and for the first time Lahore. Flights will begin on 28th October with the flight numbers LH 658/659 with three weekly flights from Karachi via Lahore onto Frankfurt.
Connecting the commercial and industrial cities of Karachi and Lahore to the Lufthansa network will strengthen bilateral economic ties as well as the position of Lufthansa in the growing markets of the Middle East. ‘Pakistan as a growing market with a highly mobile population offers Lufthansa excellent opportunities’, says Joachim Steinbach, Vice President Sales and Services Southeast Europe, Africa & Middle East/ Pakistan, heading one of the strategically most important regions of the Lufthansa network. ‘Our passengers will have access to the extensive route network of Lufthansa connecting through the Lufthansa hub Frankfurt to other European destinations as well as to the US.’
Steinbach further added that passengers would benefit from the new Lufthansa flights since the nonstop connection from Pakistan to Germany would reduce travel time by up to three hours compared to current connecting flights from the Gulf to Europe. ‘This is a great advantage for the business traveler.’ Over the years direct investments into the economy of Pakistan, also from the U.A.E., has considerably increased and in recent times the country has witnessed the physical presence of many multinational companies in Karachi and Lahore.
Lufthansa also announced appointments for Pakistan. Effective August 1st the new Lufthansa country manager for Pakistan and Afghanistan based in Lahore will be Mr. Ian Patrick, who will in the near future also take over the Swiss sales matters for Pakistan. ‘Ian Patrick has a long and varied airline experience, consulting for numerous carriers in the field of marketing, revenue enhancement and route feasibility. We are proud to have him in the team’, says Peter Pollak, General Manager Sales U.A.E. & Director Gulf & Pakistan. ‘At the same time we would like to thank Mr. Kamal Syed, the current Lufthansa country manager Pakistan for his commitment and contribution of bringing Lufthansa back to Pakistan.’
He will manage all operational and launching activities for the inaugural flight in October. At the peak of his career and having seen his dream of a Lufthansa flight coming back to Pakistan Mr. Syed has decided after nearly 33 years with Lufthansa to put his feet up in Canada with his family.
This will greatly mprove confidence of European to travel to Pakistan.
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University of Karachi to open flowers museum
Wednesday, June 6th, 2007
Herbarium is a dried plant museum in the University of Karachi (KU) which has opened new dimensions in the study of Botany by collecting specimens of more than 150,000 dried plants and compiling a directory on flora from around Pakistan and abroad.
The plants are continuously collected in the Herbarium and studied. It has been observed that some plants showed different characteristic after a period of 50 or more years, for instance a plant, may begin its flowering process in March this year, but half a century later this same species may commence its flowering process in January, this shows that a variation in climatic changes has altered the flowering and other processes of the plant.
University of Karachi Department of Botany
The information is useful to researchers, town planners, environmentalists and students in calculating climatic changes and in planning new towns after considering the detailed studies and the knowledge gleaned from plants of different species from time to time.
Prof. Pirzada Qasim, the Vice Chancellor of KU had laid the foundation stone of this Herbarium, a two-storey building on a covered area of 10,000 square feet, in 2005.
The Department of Botany is also preparing a ‘ Data List’ of more
than 300 to 400 plants found in Chitral to preserve their floral identity in the country.
Approximately, 500 plant species abundantly grow in Pakistan, with a majority of these found in Chitral.
Dr Mohammad Qaisar, former Dean Faculty of Science and incumbent Director of Herbarium said that the objective of preparing the “Red Data List†was to provide guidelines for further conservation and research.
“Pakistan is the only country in the region where scientists and researchers have obtained information about the country’s floral resources and prepared valuable documentation. While Japanese researchers have prepared documentation on Afghan flora and the British on India and Nepal, the Americans provided their services to China and the Europeans worked with Iran in this regard,†he claimed.
He said that four plants, namely Abitinlon Alii, Sepalum, Asparagus and Acacia nilotica SubSP Hemispheric, are abundant in Karachi. He said that Acacia nilotica SubSP Hemispheric plant is found along the coastline of the city, but this plant is fast becoming extinct due to oversight and development work at some specific coastal sites of the city.
The Flora of Pakistan is compiled by Dr Syed Irtifaq Ali and Dr Qaisar, and is available on the Internet with the active collaboration of the Missouri Botanic Garden, USA.
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Monday, June 4th, 2007
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| KARACHI: The International Travel and Tourism Mart 2007 (ITTMP) opened up to the general public on its second day on Saturday. In this connection a seminar was held by Galileo to inaugurate their new packages.
Global e-commerce has come up with “gBossâ€, a state of the art travel accounting system that offers a wide range of reports for business analysis and decisions. Today, through International Travel and Tourism Mart, Global e-commerce, in association with Galileo Pakistan launched gBoss throughout Pakistan. Moreover, to facilitate users during peak Umrah season and to rejoice in the holy trip of their customers, another value-added feature is being offered which is called gBoss Tours for Umrah and Hajj. It is a ticketing software aimed at providing clients with complete support at every step of Umrah. NDC Head Galileo Pakistan, Shaheen Ramzan Ali congratulated the Ministry of Tourism and 4th Dimension for providing such an opportunity to launch the system and an excellent environment, most suitable for all successful endeavours. The ITTMP 2007 has seen a regular flow of visitors both local and foreign in these two days and some of the exhibitors have called it a success. The exhibitors said that considering ITTMP is being held for the first time on this level they have received a good response and hope to see ITTMP being made an annual event. |
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Private airline AirBlue Pakistan Sets-off Flights to UK
Saturday, June 2nd, 2007
LONDON (UK): Pakistan’s new generation private airline AirBlue launched flights to UK on Friday by making Manchester as the first destination from capital Islamabad to the empires of Europe. It was a historic day – filled with emotions of Pakistanis – living in Britain when they saw the landing of AirBlue flight at the Manchester airport – in a way as smooth as silk.
Both the passengers and guests from Islamabad were received at the airport – in a most warm welcome style.
A large number of overseas Pakistanis – as well as travel agents and representative people of Azad Kashmir – were present on the occasion.
Speaking to ‘Pakistan Times’ [Daily E-Newspaper], Syed Nasir Ali, Director Commercial & Marketing said before the flights’ return home on Friday evening that AirBlue flights to UK would by all perception strengthen solidarity and friendship between United Kingdom and Pakistan.
Significantly, AirBlue is the first private airline of Pakistan in the aviation history to start long haul operations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.AirBlue’s performance in Pakistan is an evidence of the success story of the airline, said Syed Nasir Ali.
He added that AirBlue’s flights to the United Kingdom will build a stronger bond between the two countries and facilitate the Pakistani community’s traveling requirements.
Mr. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chief Operating Officer AirBlue had earlier, pointed out that the response from the Manchester’s Pakistani community was so overwhelming that AirBlue has decided to introduce a 5th flight on every Thursday from June 28, 2007.
Syed Nasir Ali emphasized that AirBlue’s success was due to the innovative technology being used by the airline and the next generation aircraft in operation by AirBlue.
‘Pakistan Times’ understands that AirBlue plans to start operations to new international routes very soon benefiting the Pakistani community around the world and expanding its network.
AirBlue currently operates to various destinations in the Middle East most notably the United Arab Emirates.
It has been expanding rapidly despite experiencing competition from the other three airline operators in Pakistan.
The airline hopes to cash in on the demand for flights to and from Pakistan.
Since, British Airways stopped flying direct between Manchester and Islamabad British Pakistanis have had their choices limited.
It is hoped that initially there will be four AirBlue flights a week departing at 14:00 PST from Islamabad and landing at Manchester at 19:30 (local time).
Flights from Manchester will leave at 2.00 am (local time) and land at Islamabad 10.30 AM the next day.
It has also been reported that AirBlue has decided to introduce a 5th flight on every Thursday from June 28.
Founded in 2004, AirBlue serves a number of destinations within Pakistan including Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Gawadar.
The airline also operates international routes from Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar to Dubai
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Snow leopard kills livestock in Kalash
Monday, May 21st, 2007
CHITRAL, 03 May 07: Â A snow leopard has killed several goats in the Kalash valley of Bumburait during the last couple of days.
Bumburait is the buffer zone of the Chitral Gol National Park, which is home of the snow leopard, one of the most endangered species.
Local resident Gul Mohammad said the leopard had attacked 19 goats on the pastures of the valley. He said local people could not shoot the animal because of prohibitions under the wildlife laws, although their own lives were at risk.
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The wild life department aparently is absent most of the time.
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Islamabad-Chitral direct flights to begin from 25 May
Monday, May 21st, 2007
CHITRAL, 21 May 07: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will operate Islamabad (ISB)-Chitral (CJL) direct flight four days a week ie on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 25 May 2007. This was learned thru PIA sources and Chitral News.
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The Islamabad -Chitral flight, PK 664 will leave Islamabad at 0720 hrs and arrive Chitral at 0820 hrs The Chitral Islamabad flight PK 665 will depart Chitral at 1340 hrs and arrive Islamabad at 1440 hrs.
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The Islamabad-Chitral direct service is a win-win step for both Chitrali passengers, for intending tourists and last but not the least for the PIA itself. It may however be pointed out that with just three days left for this service to commence commercial operations, the PIA has yet to advertise it, which speaks volumes about efficiency of this organisation.
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The existing Peshawar Chitral flight will continue to operate as usual.
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Buddhist Monks and scholars Visit Taxila & Peshawar
Sunday, April 1st, 2007
The monks from Japan, China, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Korea visited Taxila Peshawar & Takht bhai to take part in the `Sound and Light Show’ of the Gandhara Week that kicked off on Wednesday the 28th March 2007 by the ministry of tourism.
Taxila is one of the sacred places for Buddhists where Emperor Ashoka preached the Lord Buddha’s message of peace, love and brotherhood in the 1st century AD.
Holding lotus-shaped lanterns, the Monks and participants recited verses in chorus at the 
front of the stupa and made offerings of tea leaves and lotus flowers.
In Buddhism, lotus flower holds particular significance for its symbolic representation of different aspects of human life.
The plant growing in mud produces clean leaves on surface depicting purification and its beautiful flower suggests enlightenment.
While the lotus flower lantern symbolises the lighting before the Buddha and praising his benevolence with bright, clear and untrained heart and pledging to take the compassion on the road to one’s enlightenment.
The flowers signifies the practice of the generosity and represents moral ethics or discipline.
In the last leg of their rituals, the monks wearing yellow gowns walked around the stupa.
The ritual of going around the stupa for three times originated during the lifetime of the Lord Buddha when his disciples paid him a visit and first bowed in front of him and then went around him three times clockwise.
Meanwhile, during the religious ceremony, a dozen of girls wearing colourful dresses stood around the Dharmarajika stupa with lotus flowers in their hands.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief priest of Enmanji Temple, Japan, Ryoko Nishioka said this (Taxila) was the land where centuries ago monks from across the Gandhara came to seek knowledge of Buddhism and offered rituals for peace, harmony, love and brotherhood. Now once again the Buddhists from across the globe assemble here to pray for peace in the world.
He said by restoring the stupa and its cells for monks to provide proper boarding facilities, the Pakistani government could attract monks from across the globe.
The Dharmarajika stupa is the oldest Buddhist monument in Taxila valley.
Later, Federal Minister for Tourism Nilofar Bakhtiar along with more than 82 monks and at least 100 participants of the Gandhara Week celebrations and SAARC car rally attended joint prayers for peace.
MINISTER’S MESSAGE: Nilofar Bakhtiar said Pakistan was emerging as a major tourist destination because of the present government’s aggressive tourist policy under which around 70 events had been arranged this year.
Talking to newsmen at the `Sound and light show’ at the Dharmarajika stupa, she said the Destination Pakistan 2007 programme would help in the development of the tourism sector.
She said due to recent initiatives, the flow of tourists to Pakistan had been increased manifold.
“Our history is powerful and important and this is the first time in the country’s history that a government has initiated a marketing strategy in the tourism sector to promote it”, she said.
Rejecting the western media’s propaganda that foreign tourists are not safe in Pakistan, she said: “No foreign tourist has even been slightly injured in Pakistan’s history.”
The federal minister said marketing of cultural, religious and adventure sites was on the top of the agenda. It would not only promote the history of Pakistan but also attract tourists from all over the world, she added.
“Ranging from snow-covered mountains in the north to vast lush fields and forest resorts southwards, Pakistan is also a destination for religious tourism,” she said.
The Monks and participants of the Gandhara Week also Visited the Peshawar museum where a lecture on Art and religion of Gandhara Art was delivered by Prof: Fidaullah Sehrai ex director of Peshawar museum who now delivers lectures for tourists in Peshawar on regular basis.
The Buddhist art of Gandhara influenced not just the art of united India but that of the entire Buddhist world. So said Prof Fidaullah Sehrai
Members of the delegation included Buddhist monks, tour operators, journalists and travel writers from China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Bhutan, Nepal, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Prof Sehrai, an expert on the Buddhist art and architecture of South Asia, said the first Buddha image of the world was created in Gandhara which was its greatest gift to the world of Buddhism.
He said Buddhism in Gandhara had taken various forms from time to time. It had started with Hinayanism, which was introduced by Ashok Maurya, and changed into Mahayanism in the time of the Kushan Emperor Kanishka who ruled in the first century AD. It was Mahayanism which had given impetus to the growth of Gandhara art. Later, Mahayanism changed into Vairayana and Tantrayan forms of Buddhism in Swat which reached Tibet and become Lamaism, he said.
He said the Gandhara art reached the climax due to the royal patronage of Emperor Kanishka and prosperity which Gandhara achieved from foreign trade and commerce on Silk roads which connected it with Central Asia, Western countries and South Asia. He said the subject matter of the Gandhara art was life stories of the Buddha, written in Peshawar and carved by sculptors in their light stones.
He said the reasons for the decline of the art were the lack of royal patronage after Kanishka’s death and the disconnection of Silk roads by the Sassanian rulers of Iran.
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