As Pakistanis, food is always our first priority no matter what. Be it an official meeting, a wedding, a college break, or even a funeral, food is something that brings us all together.

A while ago I was discussing delicacies of Pakistan with my friends which brings me to write this blog.

There are a number of foods that have always won our heart.  If you’re traveling across Pakistan, there are plenty of places where you can go…balkay you MUST go, for ‘UFF BUHAT MAZAY KA KHANA”

Mian Jee Ki Daal:

Way before Islamabad-Lahore motorway was constructed, GT road was the only way to go Lahore. While traveling from Rawalpindi to Lahore or other cities of a Punjab, it was a must to have Ievery time we crossed Lala Musa. Between Lahore and Pindi, there’s a restaurant for the masses called Mianjee

Known for its special daal channa and paratha, the place has always served the taste for years. People from all parts of Pakistan visit the restaurant just for its unique flavour. Desi ghee is a magical ingredient for sure but we still haven’t figured out how they make it so yummy!

Hassan Abdal Ki Machli:

Located in the north of Punjab, 40km northwest of Islamabad, Hassan Abdal is a home of the Gurudwara Panja Sahib- one of the most sacred sites of Sikhism.

The town is famous for its historical association with the Mughal Era; Wah Gardens, Tomb of Lalarukh, and Hakimon ka Maqbara.

What still remains is the fresh river fish which has driven us crazy for so long! There’s not a specific eaterie as per say but the several roadside fish vendors cook it with spicy and yummilicious masala. It’s a must try if you’re planning to go there!

Charsi Tikka, Peshawar:

Known for its lamb chops and karai, Charsi tikka is something you would definitely want to have over and over again. Located in Namak Mandi, the restaurant offers a wide range of meat; barbeque, karahi, and kabab. They’re made in a special ghee and tossed with salt in an unconventional way which makes it a delicacy.

Patakha Chicken, Nathiagali:

Patakha Chicken is a fried roast marinated in salt, garlic juice and lots of crushed red chili flake. If you’re a spice lover, you would definitely love this chicken! Wo bhi Nathiagali mein <3

Featured image source: Mangobaaz

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

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

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.