April 2005

Buner - Ambela PassThe famous Ambela Pass, situated in Buner, can easily be approached from Mardan via Shahbaz Garhi and Rustam. It is about 50 kilometers, away from Mardan. The British fought a very tough battle here against Yusufzai Afghan lashkars in 1863. The Muslim graveyard of martyrs, the Bab Ji Kandao, where Hazrat Saidu Baba (RA) camped, the Craig Picket and Eagle's Nest can still be seen at Ambela Pass. This route of Swat is quieter and more scenic than the Malakand Pass. The Malakand area is fettered under the shelter of green and dry mountains. The main road climbs up across 894 meters, to Buner Pass and comes down to China (Pronounced Cheena). Four Kilometers, further is Daggar, from where a newly repaired road leads to Jowar. The 45 kilometers, road from Pir Baba (RA) to Barikot passes through Mount Ilam rising through mature pine forests to 1336 meters high Karakar Pass.Pacha Kili - the Mazar of Hazrat Pir Baba (RA) The village of Pacha which can be approached from Daggar, is famous for the Mazar of Hazrat Syed Ali Trimzi known as Hazrat Pir Baba (RA). He lived during the reigns of Babar, Humayun and Akbar the Great and spread the teachings of Islam in the area. . . . Read More

The area of Bajaur Agency is 590 square miles. It is a hilly area located on the North of Malakand Agency. The approximate population of the agency is 364,000 (Note: Old Statistics). The main tribes are Utman Khel and Tarkani of which the major sections are Mamund and Salar Zai. . . . Read More

Zhob means oozing water, a reference perhaps to the spring which constitutes the source of Zhob River. Karez water can be seen everywhere when there is no drought situation. The Zhob district is located in the Balochistan Province in the north east of Pakistan. It lies close to the Afghanistan border. Zhob town is just east of Zhob river on an open plain. . . . Read More

How prophetic and how accurate! In just about two and a half years, in October 1950, the University of Peshawar started functioning. Little did anyone think in April 1948 that it would be so soon! Only the Quaid knew it, for he had a vision, a vision for all of us!! . . . Read More

Generally, when anyone visits sleepy old Peshawar, we have no problem entertaining them. Since they are often in these backwoods in search of smuggled goods, all we have to do is to take them to the Karkhano Bazaar. Forgetting about them until the closing of the shops. When Rizzy said he was coming to Peshawar, I knew the markets were not his idea of fun. . . . Read More

Situated over a ridge at an altitude of more than 6,500 feet, Samana is at a distance of about three hours from Kohat in the NWFP. As one travels from Kohat to District Hangu on the way to Samana, one comes across the beautifully maintained headquarters of Orakzai agency, the only agency in the tribal areas of Pakistan that does not share any border with Afghanistan. . . . Read More

The altitude of Razmak varies from 6000 feet to 11000 feet. The Razmak Plateau itself is located amid the rugged, lofty mountains and is connected with two roads, one with Tank via Jandola (now not much used) and the other with Bannu through Mirali and Isha corner, which is 65 kilometers long arduous pattern less jumble of arid mountain, ravines and knife edge ridges. Shoran Algad three kilometers in the South from Razmak is the boundary between North and South Waziristan. . . . Read More

Qilla Abdullah district lies between 30 - 04 ' to 31 - 17 ' North Longitude in the foothills of the Shela Bagh Mountain range. It is bordered by Pishin District in the east, Quetta District in the South and by Afghanistan in the west. The geographical area of the district is 5,264 km2. It is composed of two sub-divisions; Gulistan & Chaman. . . . Read More

Peshawar; the city of proud Pakhtoons, the capital of the NWFP, is a frontier town, the meeting place of the subcontinent and Central Asia. It is also a place where ancient traditions rub against those of today, where the bazaar in the old city has changed little in the past hundred years except to have a modern university, some first-class hotels, several international banks and one of the best museums in Pakistan. . . . Read More

Orakzai Agency has an area of almost 700 square miles and has a general elevation of 5,500 to 5,600 feet above sea level. The important peaks are the Sangla (6325 ft) and the Chara Kandaco (5,643 ft). Its weather is characterized by intense cold in winter when the temperature falls below freezing and has mild summers. . . . Read More