ISLAMABAD: Whether we call ourselves Islamabadians, Isloo-ites or (for the young crowd) Islamabaddies, we can give non-capital-dwelling Pakistanis plenty of reasons why we love our city so much. We have the Margalla Hills, for example, with greenery that is overwhelming in the best possible way, and also a front-row seat to the shenanigans of those who run our country.
However, as much as we love the urban life, everyone needs to get away from the hustle and bustle once in a while, and another major benefit of living in Islamabad if the number of great places within easy reach for a quick escape.
When the city goes to sleep, which is relatively early, or the social scene grows tired, which is relatively often, residents are spoiled for choice if they want to head off for a while, whether for a day trip, a long weekend, or even just a few hours of respite.
The easiest escape to make, which you can do on foot, is to head to the Margalla Hills, which give Islamabad’s skyline a substantial scenic boost over other major cities, such as Lahore and Karachi. The Margallas are filled with lush greenery and well-maintained hiking trails that guide you from stony paths to creek beds and forested areas to wide-open ridge walks, all while giving you unparalleled views of the city.
If you really want to hit the hills, drive up to the hill station, or mountain resort town, of Nathia Gali. You will pass through a number of other hill-top towns along the way, including Murree and Bhurban, along with and smaller settlements, such as Charra Pani, offering rest stops and restaurants. It all makes for a wonderful and relaxing few hours away from the city.
For a slightly longer break, Nathia Gali in particular is a great choice for a weekend getaway, with views that will take your breath away (literally, given the altitude) and fantastic hiking trails that allow you to leave the concrete jungle far behind and immerse yourself in nature.
Hills and hiking are not for everyone, and for the nature adverse there are other options for day trips.
In about an hour or less you can drive from the city to Golra Sharif Railway Station. A beautifully preserved, and still-operating, piece of history, the station is impeccably managed, with an on-site museum documenting the history of the station and the country’s relationship with railways, complete with a number of interactive displays. A particular highlight is the chance to tour the railway carriage that Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, traveled in.
About an hour and half from Golra Sharif, there is the chance to take a dip (monsoon permitting) in the cooling waters of the Khanpur Dam. If messing about in the water is not your idea of fun, it is still worth heading there right before spring slips into summer to pick blood oranges straight from the trees.
A mere two hours from there you can find Pakistan’s last active Hindu worship site, the Katas Raj Temples. Located near Kallar Kahar, the group of temples, connected by walkways, are a popular tourist site. Their architectural beauty is set off by the sacred pond they surround which, legend has it, was formed from the teardrops of the Hindu god Shiva after the loss of his wife, Sati.
On the drive back to Islamabad, make a stop at the famed Khewra Salt Mine, outside of Jhelum, which is another popular tourist attraction. After exploring the brightly lit caves — and, if you dare, taking a taste of the salt direct from the walls — you can buy a souvenir of your visit, including pink salt from the mine and gifts crafted from salt, such as lamps and paperweights.
Another great escape within a two-hour drive of the city is Rohtas Fort. A UNESCO-protected World Heritage Site, the massive 16th-century fortress in Jhelum has survived the centuries relatively intact.
Those prepared to venture slightly further afield should head for Mardan to see Takht-i-Bahi, an incredible ancient relic of Buddhism dating back as far as the 1st century. The former monastery, the remains of which have been remarkably well preserved, is also on the UNESCO list and a protected site in Pakistan, and the government has made efforts to restore it where needed.
Whatever your recreational preferences, and whether you have a couple of hours to kill or a few days, a cultural, historical or nature retreat is waiting for you within easy reach of Islamabad.
Culture, history and nature: Islamabad’s best and easiest getaways
Culture, history and nature: Islamabad’s best and easiest getaways
- A drive of less than three hours will take you far from the hustle and bustle of the city and bring you face to face with some of Pakistan’s hidden heritage and historical sites
- Great getaways within easy driving distance of the capital include protected historical sites in Jhelum, Khewar and in Mardan
Pakistan Association Dubai hosts climate action event to promote sustainable solutions
- Pakistan is counted among world’s Pakistan is counted among world’s most severely threatened countries due to climate change effects most severely threatened countries due to climate change effects
- Event brings together climate activists, advocates and youth leaders to discuss climate challenges
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) this week organized a climate action event in the city to promote sustainable solutions and highlight the dangers of deteriorating weather patterns, the Pakistani embassy in the UAE said.
The event on Friday was a collaboration between community climate action platform Extreme Hangout Dubai, social enterprise Earth Warriors and the Pakistan Youth Forum.
It featured climate advocates and members of the Pakistani community in the UAE, and Pakistan’s Consul General in Dubai Hussain Muhammad.
“Pakistan remains committed to be part of the solution,” Muhammad was quoted as saying by the Pakistani embassy in UAE. “However, global solidarity, climate finance, and technology transfer are essential to tackling this crisis.”
The event featured entrepreneurial stalls showcasing innovative eco-friendly solutions, keynote speeches and panel discussions by experts, activists and youth leaders who engaged in insightful discussions on climate action strategies and the importance of collective efforts.
The event also included performances and artistic presentations highlighting the beauty of nature and the necessity of preserving it for future generations.
“The Consul General encouraged the Pakistani community in the UAE to act as global ambassadors for Pakistan’s climate challenges through storytelling, social media and community engagement to raise awareness and bring change,” the embassy’s statement said.
The South Asian country is counted among the most severely threatened countries in terms of climate–induced challenges, especially in the context of its dependency on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, water, natural resources and the environment, and socio-economic issues such as poverty.
Unusually heavy monsoon rains and melting of glaciers in June 2022 triggered flash floods across the country which killed over 1,700 people and dealt damages to critical infrastructure across the country.
Pakistan estimates damages from the floods to be around $33 billion.
Over 3,000 Pakistani, overseas athletes expected to take part in Islamabad Marathon today
- Marathon to feature five categories: full marathon, half marathon, children’s race, family race and senior race
- A prize money of Rs1 million [$3594] has been allocated for winners of all categories, says marathon organizer
ISLAMABAD: Over 3,000 athletes from Pakistan and abroad are expected to take part in a running marathon in Pakistan’s capital today, Sunday, state-run media reported.
Organized by the Islamabad Run With Us (IRU) running community in the capital, the marathon will feature five categories: a full marathon, a half marathon, a children’s race, a family race and a senior race.
The IRU says it has organized over 700 complimentary community events and numerous races, adding that it launched the Islamabad Marathon event in 2020.
“Founder of the Islamabad Run with Us community, Qasim Naz announced on Friday that the fifth Islamabad Marathon will take place on January 26, with the participation of over 3,000 athletes from across Pakistan and abroad,” state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.
Naz said a prize money of Rs1 million [$3594] has been allocated for winners of all categories of the marathon.
The marathon kicked off at the city’s newly built Iran Avenue at 9:00 am. Its route includes the GT Road and runners will have to return to the starting point, the organizer said.
Naz said a pitch system would be introduced to ensure transparency, enabling real-time tracking of athletes and accurate identification of winners.
“He said that the purpose of organizing the event is to showcase Pakistan’s soft image and highlight the country’s beauty to the world,” APP said.
Naz said arrangements for medical and other facilities for participants have been made with cooperation from the district administration and police.
Pakistan says won’t risk rushing Saim Ayub’s recovery for Champions Trophy
- Saim Ayub was ruled out of competitive cricket for six weeks after suffering ankle injury this month
- Left-handed batter will enter recovery phase in a day or two, says PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday that he will not risk injured batter Saim Ayub’s future by rushing his recovery for the sake of the multi-nation Champions Trophy tournament, which is scheduled to get underway in Pakistan and Dubai next month.
Ayub, one of Pakistan’s most in-form batters who helped the team secure a historic ODI series whitewash over South Africa in December, suffered a right ankle fracture while fielding in the second Test against South Africa this month.
The injury forced Ayub out of competitive cricket for six weeks, dealing Pakistan a massive blow before it hosts the multi-nation Champions Trophy tournament in February. Ayub is currently in London seeking treatment as Pakistan hopes the star batter recovers in time for the crucial tournament.
“I am in contact with Saim on almost a daily basis. His rehab is going on and god willing, the plaster on his foot will be removed in a day or two after which he will enter the recovery phase,” Naqvi told reporters.
“It will take time, I don’t want to put his future at risk because of one Champions Trophy.”
The PCB chairman said he was monitoring Ayub’s rehabilitation himself, adding that Ayub was Pakistan’s asset and would soon make a full recovery.
Pakistan will play the Champions Trophy tournament opener on Feb. 19 against New Zealand in the eastern city of Lahore.
Pakistan expresses desire to formulate joint plan to combat ‘terrorism’ with US
- Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met US lawmakers, investors in Washington this week to discuss bilateral issues
- Pakistan has faced a surge in militant attacks in its western provinces bordering Afghanistan since November 2022
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday that Islamabad wanted to formulate a comprehensive plan with American politicians to combat “terrorism,” amid Islamabad struggle to contain surging militant attacks on its soil in recent months.
Islamabad and Washington have shared a complicated history when it comes to bilateral ties. Both countries shared close defense and security cooperation in the past, particularly during the Cold War after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and post-September 11, 2001 attacks.
However, more recently, US officials criticized Pakistan for not sufficiently supporting their military efforts against the Taliban following the 9/11 attacks. Islamabad denies sheltering Taliban fighters and helping them regain control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
Pakistan has faced a surge in militant attacks in its western provinces bordering Afghanistan since November 2022, ever since its truce with the Pakistani Taliban broke down. Islamabad blames Afghan rulers for providing sanctuaries to militants to launch attacks against Pakistan, charges the Taliban government vehemently denies.
“See the main purpose of my visit this time [to the US] was to make a comprehensive plan against terrorism with the politicians here,” Naqvi told reporters in Washington.
Naqvi is in Washington where he met US lawmakers this week to hold talks on issues of bilateral concern between the two countries.
“The terrorism that we are suffering is not just our fight, it is everyone’s fight,” he added. “Both 2023 and 2024 were bad years for us but you will see that whosoever takes up arms against Pakistan will suffer a bad fate.”
On Saturday, the Pakistani interior minister visited the United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington where he spoke to a delegation of the US-Pakistan Business Council.
Naqvi invited American investors to invest in Pakistan’s priority sectors, particularly in IT and minerals, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said.
“Talking to a delegation of the US-Pakistan Business Council during his visit to United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington, he highlighted Pakistan’s mining and IT sectors have emerged as investors’ ultimate destination,” it added.
Citing Pakistan’s recent economic gains, Naqvi said the country is heading toward economic stability “rapidly,” adding that all economic indicators have improved.
Pakistan okays increase in gas prices for industries
- The decision aims to ensure required revenue for the gas sector during the fiscal year ending on June 30
- A cabinet committee turns down Petroleum Division summary to increase the tariff for domestic consumers
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of Pakistan’s federal cabinet has approved an upward revision in gas tariff for industries, the Finance Division said on Saturday.
The development came after an ECC meeting to discuss a summary submitted by Petroleum Division for an upward revision of the indigenous gas tariff for industry, or captive power plants, as well as non-protected domestic slabs.
A captive power plant refers to an electricity generation facility owned and operated by a specific industrial or commercial entity to primarily power their own operations, rather than selling electricity to the public grid. It’s dedicated to supplying electricity solely for the needs of the company that owns it, like a large factory or industrial site, minimizing reliance on the national power grid.
While the committee approved a revision in prices for industrial consumers, it declined to increase the tariff for domestic consumers to protect them from additional burden, according to the Finance Division.
“The ECC, following a through discussion, decided to approve upward revision in gas tariff for captive power plants from Rs3,000 per mmbtu (metric million British thermal unit) to Rs3,500 per mmbtu to ensure required revenue for the gas sector during FY2024-25,” the Finance Division said in a statement.
Pakistan’s caretaker government increased the prices of natural gas by up to 67 percent for residential consumers in February 2024, in a bid to meet one of the key fiscal tightening conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a final review of its last bailout program, worth $3 billion, that helped saved the country from a default.
In August last year, Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik had said his government would keep the gas prices unchanged until winter months of December 2024 and January 2025, amid rising costs of living in Pakistan at the time.
Pakistan, which imports most of its energy needs, saw days of protests in July and August 2024 over the rising costs of living, mainly fueled by energy price hikes. The protests had prompted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to announce a three-month, Rs50 billion subsidy for electricity consumers using up to 200 units a month.
