This blog has some of the most amazing pictures of Raka Poshi that you might have never seen before, and you will find it to be among the best pictures which can motivate you to travel just to see the sight of Raka Poshi.

The giant Raka Poshi is located in Gilgit Baltistan. It is part of the Karakoram mountain range in Northern Pakistan, located in the middle of Nagar valley and district Danyore, Rakaposhi is the twenty-seventh highest mountain in the world and twelfth highest in Pakistan. In the local language, Raka Poshi is also called as Dumani, which means “Mother of the Mist” or “Mother of Clouds”.

The giant mountain was first ascended in 1958 by the members of British-Pakistani expedition, through the Southwest Spur/Ridge route. It is said that both of the climbers suffered minor frostbite while ascent to the Peak on June 25. While another climber is said to have fallen on the descent and died during the night.

The Nagar people have dedicated the Raka Poshi Mountain range as the community park, the amazing Raka Poshi is also famous for being home to the endangered species such as Marcopolo sheep, Snow leopard, Brown bear, Wolves and many other species.

Ali Usman Ramay, View of Rakaposhi and milky way from eagle’s nest Hunza.

Rakaposhi BY Sajid Eusafxai

Rakaposhi at evening by Emran Aslam

This picture was taken on 19th May 2016 from Raka Posviewpointint on KKH

Raka poshi by Kashif Afridi

Raka poshi by Muhammad Khalil

Raka poshi from Hunza by Ali Raza

Raka poshi right now by Irfan Rashid 15th april

The Raka poshi view in the evening

Recent view of diran peak form rakaposhi base camp by Zahid Abbas

Snow Covered in the local language. Rakaposhi is also known as Dumani  Mother of Mist or Mother of Clouds. It is ranked 27th highest in the world and 12th highest in Pakistan. by muhammad Haroon Malik

The amazing Raka poshi with lovely azure by Zeeshan photography

The elegance, the class, The Raka poshi by Mohsin Ali

Maria Mehmood is a 20 years old student of Psychology, aspiring to change the socially constructed image of Muslims in the West. She happens to be a student of psychology, based in Birmingham. As a part of Miss England competition, the young model is the first ever participant to wear a Hijab and that too someone who made it to the semi-finals.

“Muslims are associated with negative things like terrorism. I’m determined to do my bit to challenge those views,” Maria told The Mirror.

“It’s pretty rare for a Muslim woman to be in a beauty pageant but there’s nothing to stop us entering. I entered Miss Birmingham and the organizers were delighted to have a hijab-wearing Muslim in the competition. They fast-tracked me through to the final where I competed against 30 girls and came second. I couldn’t believe it,” she said.

Even though her friends and family are constantly supporting her, she believes that the Muslim community at large is going to backlash her decision.

In an interview, she expressed:”When I came runner-up, they were delighted for me. I’ve got three brothers and they’ve also been so good. Most people have been supportive. There have been a few negative comments and I’m fully expecting some criticism from old-timers and conservatives. But what I’m doing is empowering for Muslim women. I’m anticipating most people will back me,” she added.

Interestingly, when asked about the swimmear round, she replied, “Obviously, “I’m not going to parade on stage in a bikini as that is going against my religion and beliefs. I’ll wear a burkini.”

The competition of Miss England semi-final would be held in Newark, Notts, in July. If Maria wins this title, she would be competing in the following Miss World Contest.

Mehmood also added: “In today’s society, we [Muslims] are not exactly loved because what is happening in the world.”

Looking forward to the finals! Send us your thoughts about this

Source: The Mirror

Also called the killer mountain, Nanga Parbat is located in Diamer district of Gilgit Baltistan. It falls in the western range of the Himalayas region. 11th highest peak in the world, located at 26,660 ft above the sea level, Nanga Parbat is the 2nd highest peak in Pakistan after K2.

The name Nanga Parbat is derived from the Sanskrit words nagna and parvata which together mean “Naked Mountain”. The mountain is locally known by its Tibetan name Diamer or Deo Mir, meaning “huge mountain”.

Nanga Parbat is one of the eight-thousanders. An immense, dramatic peak rising far above its surrounding terrain, Nanga Parbat is also a notoriously difficult climb. Numerous mountaineering deaths in the mid and early-20th century lent it the nickname “Killer Mountain.”

Because of its accessibility, attempts to summit Nanga Parbat began very soon after it was discovered by Europeans. In 1895 Albert F. Mummery led an expedition to the peak, and reached almost 6,100 m (20,000 ft) on the Diamir (West) Face,] but Mummery and two Gurkha companions later died reconnoitering the Rakhiot Face.

In the 1930s, Nanga Parbat became the focus of German interest in the Himalayas. The German mountaineers were unable to attempt Mount Everest, as only the British had access to Tibet. Initially, German efforts focused on Kanchenjunga, to which Paul Bauer led two expeditions in 1930 and 1931, but with its long ridges and steep faces Kanchenjunga was more difficult than Everest and neither expedition made much progress. K2 was known to be harder still, and its remoteness meant that even reaching its base would be a major undertaking. Nanga Parbat was, therefore, the highest mountain accessible to Germans and also deemed possibly reasonable by climbers at the time.

Pakiholic has brought you some of the most captivating clicks of the killer mountain by the young travel photographers of Pakistan, It’s an effort not only to promote the beauty of Pakistan but also the talented photographers, who are always in hunt of clicking the unique shots.

Another close view of Nanga Parbat by Muhammad Haroon Malik

At Right Top Corner foothills of Nanga Parbat can be seen. Pic was not aimed to get Nanga Parbat in Frame. Captured by Sarmad

The killer for all reasons. Nanga Parbat by Alee Nisar

Nanga Parbat by Bilal Hameed

Nanga Parbat by Nida Aziz

Nanga Parbat by Sarmad Alee

Nanga Parbat from my window by Cazym Wazeer

Nanga Parbat, view from Fairy Meadows by Alee Nisar

Sunset at Nanga Parbat. Captured from Fairy Meadows. Hasan Talal Tiwana

After the government’s initiative of making national identity cards for the transgender community and working on other issues such as their rights; right to marry, etc. Pakistan is set to open the first ever educational institution for transgenders, in Lahore. Along with education, it would also broaden their skill set by giving them vocational training. The due date for this venture is next Sunday, hopefully.

The institution’s name is ‘The Gender Guardian’, which offers 12 years of academic training and education; involves all levels i.e. primary, secondary, and high school. Moreover, the faculty of the school also happens to be from the transgender community.

The Gender Guardian is the brainchild of Asif Shehzad and the Exploring Future Foundation. It is expected that the school would expand its branches in Karachi and Islamabad.

“Reports suggest a total of 40 students have already taken up admission in the school. The school offers 12 years of education starting from the primary level to matriculation and then intermediate.” Source: Daily Pakistan

Apart from the regular curriculum, the school would also focus on technical courses such as computer and mobile repairing, graphic designing, fashion designing, and other interesting classes that include hairstyling, etc.

Alhamra is going to hold its first formal opening ceremony, in Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on 15th April.

Source: Daily Pakistan

National Animal of Pakistan is Markhor. It lives in the mountainous areas of Gilgit  Baltistan, Kohistan, Chitral, Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Federally Administrated Tribal Areas ( FATA), Dera  Ghazi Khan and, Baluchistan. It lives on dangerous mountainous cliffs of high altitudes, which ranges from 700m and 4000-8000m. The logic behind this is to keep themselves safe from the attacks of wild predators including snow leopards and wolfs and human hunters. In winter, hairs on their bodies have grown up which help them to protect themselves from cold weather. In summer their diets depend on tussock grass in summer and in winter on shrubby leaves and twigs.

Their mating season starts in winter while in summer female markhors give birth. During the winter mating season, the males fight each other by lunging, locking horns and attempting to push each other off balance. The gestation period lasts 135–170 days and usually results in the birth of one or offsprings, though rarely three.

Markhor lives in flocks, usually numbering nine animals, composed of adult females and their young. Adult males are largely solitary. Adult females and kids comprise most of the markhor population, with adult females making up 32 percent of the population and kids making up 31 percent. Adult males comprise 19 percent, while subadults (males aged 2–3 years) that make up to12 percent, and yearlings (females aged 12–24 months) that make up to 9 percent of the population.

There are two types of markhors (Astor and Kabul markhor) in Pakistan. They have been known by different local names which have originated from Persian, Urdu and Kashmiri language

Multiple factors including livestock diseases, competition for survival, deforestation and increased hunting by a human, have played a major role in the depopulation of markhor. Therefore, it is enlisted in the list of endangered species by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Pakistani government imposed major restrictions on hunting of this rare animal. A hunter needs to win a bid of $ 62,000 for hunting of only one markhor.

1.The tower is also known as the “Tower of Pakistan”. It stands at a total height of 70 meters off the ground.

2. The construction of the tower began in 1960, and was completed after 6 years at a total cost of Rs. 7,058,000.

3. The money was generated through increased taxes on the cinema houses and horse racing tickets on the request of the Akhtar Hussain, governor of West Pakistan at that time.

4. The steps leading to the tower symbolically represent the Pakistan Movement. The first step is made from stone from Taxila, the second step from hammered stone, the third with chiseled stones and the fourth and final step is made of white marble.

5. The tower is regarded as an artistic blend of Mughal/Islamic architecture. The tower’s bottom half is shaped like a flower that rises 8 meters from the ground while the rest of the tower is 62 meters off the ground.

6.  Mr. Mukhtar Masood, a prolific writer and the then–deputy commissioner of Lahore, was one of the members of the Building Committee.

7.  Mian Abdul Khaliq and Company are regarded as the builders who went on to build many other landmarks of Pakistan including the Gaddafi Stadium (also designed by Murat-Khan) and BRB Canal.

8. At the base, there are floral inscriptions on ten converging white marble commemorative plaques. The inscriptions include the text of Lahore Resolution in Urdu, Bengali and English, and Delhi Resolution’s text, which was passed on 9 April 1946.

9. On different plaques, Quranic verses and 99 attributes of Allah are inscribed in Arabic calligraphy, whereas National Anthem of Pakistan in Urdu and Bengali.

10. Excerpts from the speeches of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in Urdu, Bengali and English, along with few couplets of Allama Iqbal include the other important inscriptions.

To witness the existing beauty of nature, everyone would want a new angle to the beauties of nature that Pakistan has to offer. Pakiholic brings you twelve photos of the week captured by different amateur photographers. These photos contain bits of beauty from the northern areas of Pakistan, which surely will wake in you the traveler which was slumbering for months.

Karomber lake trek is one of the most diverse treks in northern areas of Pakistan and has many entry and exit points to the lake. It is also one of the most beautiful treks. Karomber lake lies on the boundary of Broghil valley in Chitral and Ishkoman valley in Gilgit Baltistan. The easy and shortest route to Karomber lake is from Chitral side (via Mastuj, Broghil valley).

Taobat is a village in Athmuqam Tehsil in Neelam valley, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is located on a distance of 200 kilometers from Muzaffarabad and 39 Kilometers from Kel Village. Taobat is the last station in Neelam Valley.

Siri Paye Meadows is one of the most beautiful and picturesque places in Northern Pakistan where nature can be found blushing everywhere. In the spring season, the flowers bloom and these colorful creatures look awe-inspiring with the white backdrop of the Makra Peak. This place is simply the best for a weekend adventure or even a full-fledged tour away from your stressful routine.

Chillum is the last village in Astore District and is the starting point to start the next journey toward the world highest plain, Deosai. It is a lush green area with grazing fields and crops, and number of running streams. The road is not in good condition, but still suitable to continue the journey, there are sharp ascends and descends on the road, which needs the extra power of the vehicle to travel. There are small size hotels and accommodation available in Chillum, you can also enjoy camping here. Weather conditions in Chillum are mostly cool and cold in the night.

Guess what’s up in Pakistan today? The Orange Line Metro also is known as OLMT is almost ready to go operational. It was run on a trial basis on Monday.

According to the Advisor to Chief Minister of Punjab, Khawaja Ahmad Hassan, four more trains sets have recently reached Lahore. They government officials state that once the new metro is operational, it would be comparable to the finest across the world including Moscow’s Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya.

Public transport has always been a major issue in our part of the world. It’s great to know that a new system would be facilitating over 250,000 people(PakistanToday.com).

Moreover, it is also going to lessen the burden on the insane traffic on the roads which entails numerous roadblocks, accidents, and most importantly pollution to our environment, every day.

Another important issue that OLMT is going to resolve is of employment. It has been a crucial point of our economy which has led to innumerable crimes and anarchy. People have already started to apply for vacancies at the new transport system.

Resources tell that the project has a 12 km long portion of the track, from Dera Gujran to Lakshmi Chowk. It would be completed within the ongoing week, according to Government officials.

If you’re thinking what makes the OLMT so hyped  on social and mainstream media, here’s what you need to know:

It’s not the first time that PML-N has provided a service like this one where it benefited hundreds and thousands of people but also went against the demands of thousands of citizens.

People are protesting and debating all over the country as to halt the project since the idea was proposed. The reason being: The Orange Line Metro

The areas through which the Orange Line Metro passes had been of great sentimental, cultural, and religious importance to many people. The Express Tribune stated this morning, “A retaining wall has also been constructed for the preservation of tomb of Baba Mouj Derya situated near the track and work for fixing stone on façade of Anarkali Station has been commenced.”

Hence the Orange Line Metro Train has been controversial since its inception. It’s also true to say that everything has its pros and cons. Hope this new venture can be more of a benefit than a loss to the population of Lahore. Let us know your opinions about the new public transport which has been the hot topic of our newsfeed.

Shrines of different Sufis and Saints in Pakistan do not only highlight the fact that Sufis and Saints once played a dominant role within the socio-religious life of Subcontinent in general and Pakistan in particular, but they also form interesting sites of religious and cultural activities for the followers and visitors. There are many Sufi shrines in Pakistan, which, behind their religious attires, possess a body with a heart that beats with the rhymes of love and affection, and with a soul that dances with the music of spiritualism, pluralism, and tolerance. No wonder that the religious extremists have always targeted these shrines.  

Nevertheless, the devotees of these shrines have kept their love intact; they keep on visiting them and keep on adding color, culture, and continuity to them.  

15 of the most visited shrines of Pakistan are given below:    

• Shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi, Karachi

This 1400-years-old shrine is of the famous saint, Abdullah Shah Ghazi, who was the great-grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through the lineage of Hassan (AS) Ibne Ali (AS).

The shrine is located near Clifton, Karachi and each year thousands of devotees visit the shrine.

In 2010, the shrine was attacked by two suicide bombers that resulted in the death of around 10 people and injury to 60 others.

• Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Sehwan Sharif

The captivating shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, the 13th century Sufi – equally respected by people of all religions, was constructed on the order of Shah Tughluq. It is situated in Sehwan Sharif, Sindh. Every year, around one million people visit the shrine.

In February 2017, the shrine was attacked by a suicide bomber, belonging to ISIL-Khorasan. The attack resulted in the death of around 90 people and injury to more than 300 others.

• Hazrat Bahauddin Zikriya, Multan

The Shrine (Darbar) of Baha-ud-Din Zikriya (1170 – 1267), Sufi of Suharwardiyya order, rests in north-eastern part of ancient fort of Multan. Each year, during the Urs of Baha-ud-Din Zakaria, many people from different parts of the country visit the shrine.

• Shrine of Data Ganj Bakhsh, Lahore

This shrine is the resting place of Shaykh Syed Ali al-Hujwiri, the 11th-century mystic, and theologian who contributed largely to the spread of Islam in Subcontinent. The shrine lies in Lahore and is the largest shrine in Pakistan, considering shrine complex and the number of visitors.   

This shrine was also attacked by two suicide bombers in July 2010 that killed at least 45 people and injured several others.

• The Tomb of Bibi Jawindi, Uch Sharif, Punjab

The Tomb of Bibi Jawindi was constructed by Iranian prince, Dilshad for great-granddaughter of the Sufi saint Jahanivyan Jahangasht, around 1493. It is situated in Uch Sharif and is included in the tentative list of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

• The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Multan

This octagonal shrine, with world’s second largest mausoleum, remembers Sheik Rukn-ud-Din Abul Fath who lived during the 14th century and is considered as one of the most eminent of Sufi saints in Multan.

• The Shrine of Khawaja Ghulam Farid, Rajanpur

This alluring shrine is of Khwaja Ghulam Farid, the renowned Punjabi Sufi poet of the 19th century who had a mastery of several languages and belonged to Chishti-Nizami Sufi order. The shrine is in Mithankot, Punjab.

• The Shrine of Sachal Sarmast, Khairpur

The eminent shrine of Sachal Sarmast – the Sufi poet who wrote poetry in seven languages, particularly in Sindhi – is in Khairpur, Sindh. As the meaning of his pen-name (Ecstatic Saint of Truth) suggests, his poetry is considered as the ‘ultimate truth’ by many readers. His shrine is always crowded with devotees, followers, and visitors.   

• The Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Hyderabad

The shrine of the greatest Sindhi Sufi poet, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (1689 – 1752), is situated in Hyderabad. Bhittai’s poetry, translated into many languages, is equated with that of the Persian poet Rumi. His shrine is always full of his aficionados.  

• The Shrine of Shah Hussain, Lahore

Situated near the Shalimar Gardens, Lahore, the shrine of Shah Hussain – the famous 16th century Punjabi Sufi poet, is the site for ‘Mela Chiraghan’ every year, which is both a spiritual and cultural festival that attracts thousands of people.  

• Shrine of Shah Shams Tabrizi, Multan

This shrine is claimed to be of Shah Shams Tabrizi, a well-known Sufi who lived during 12th and 13th century. According to some estimates, the shrine was first built in 1330 AD. His Urs is celebrated every year in June, which attracts thousands of devotees.  

• The Shrine of Baba Bulhey Shah, Qasur

This shrine, in Qasur, is the resting place of the celebrated Sufi poet of 17th century, Bulleh Shah, whose poetry has been transformed into qawwalis and songs that have become very popular. This shrine is visited by many people throughout the year.  

• The Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi (Bari Shah Latif), Islamabad

The shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi, also known as Bari Imam, is in the capital, Islamabad. Bari Imam was 17th century Sufi from Punjab. His shrine was originally built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. People in large numbers, generally from different parts of the country and particularly from Punjab visit the shrine during the Urs.  

This shrine was also attacked by extremists in 2005. As the result of the attack, twenty people were killed and nearly 100 others were injured.

• The Shrine of Rahman Baba, Peshawar

The shrine of Rahman Baba – Abdur Rahman Mohmand – is in Peshawar. The shrine is frequented each day by people in large numbers. Rahman Baba was a 17th century Sufi Dervish and poet, who wrote poetry in Pashto.

Rahman Baba’s shrine was also attacked by extremist militants in 2009. The attack killed more than 100 people and injured many others.

• The Shrine of Shah Noorani

Situated in Khuzdar, Balochistan, the Shrine of Syed Bilawal Shah Noorani is the center of attraction for thousands of devotees. Shah Noorani was a mystic saint, believed to be the descendant of Ali (AS) Ibn Abi Talib.

Shah Noorani’s shrine was attacked by Islamic State militants in November 2016. As a result of the attack, more than 52 people were killed and many others were injured.  

Sources:

www.wikipedia.org

www.dawn.com

www.thenation.com

www.thenews.com

www.tribune.com.pk

www.flikr.com