In Pakistani hill station, the Cecil Hotel is a grand survivor of colonial times

This photo taken on June 18, 2023, shows the grand structure of the Cecil Hotel which was constructed in 1851 in Murree, Pakistan. (AN Photo)
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Updated 30 June 2023
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In Pakistani hill station, the Cecil Hotel is a grand survivor of colonial times

  • Hotel has for decades been prime spot in Murree, known for churches, cantonments and schools built by British
  • Pakistani conglomerate Hashoo Group restored the hotel building and opened its doors to the public this April

ISLAMABAD: Nestled in the heart of the Pakistani resort town of Murree, the majestic Cecil Hotel building has been standing tall for 172 years, and now, its restored avatar offers guests and visitors a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the grandeur of a bygone era. 

From being a summer retreat for British colonial officers to the residence of the viceroy of India and later hosting top historical and political figures of Pakistan, the walls of the Cecil Hotel seem to have seen it all. 

Originally constructed in 1851, little has been written about the building’s initial history until it was purchased by Italian hotelier John Faletti in 1916 and converted into a hotel. Under Faletti’s ownership until 1944, the hotel became one of the most sought-after locations in Murree, a Pakistani hill station dotted with churches, cantonments and schools built by the British.




The undated photo shows the view of the Murree hills from the Cecil Hotel in Murree, Pakistan. (Photo courtesy: cecilmurree.com/website)

In 1944, the hotel was bought by Mohan Singh Oberoi, the founder and chairman of Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, India’s second-largest hotel company. Though Oberoi moved to India after the 1947 partition of the sub-continent into two nations, India and Pakistan, he continued to manage the company’s hotels in both nations until the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) took over The Cecil after the 1965 war.

The Pakistani conglomerate Hashoo Group acquired a majority share in the hotel in the late 1990s and in 2018 decided to restore the building to its former glory and opened its doors to the public with a grand launch this April.
 
Today, a walkway decorated with paintings chronologically depicting Pakistan’s history greets visitors as they enter the hotel. Hand-designed, multicolored tiles line the floors, ornate chandeliers hang from the ceiling and carefully picked pieces of art and period furniture as well as a sweeping staircase are main attractions. 




The undated photo shows the walkway showcasing pictures hilighting the establishment's history at the Cecil Hotel in Murree, Pakistan. (Photo courtesy: cecilmurree.com/website)

 
“This [building] was constructed in 1851 by the Cecil family, which is based in the UK, they have constructed almost 8 to 10 hotels worldwide for British army commanders,” Ali Raza, the hotel’s front office manager who also gives guided tours of the building, told Arab News. 

“It has been uplifted but almost 80 percent of things have been kept the same.”

While Raza said the building was initially a residence for Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence, an English soldier and administrator who helped to consolidate British rule in the Punjab region, many historians, including the writer of the book, “Once upon a time in Murree,” Dr. Omer Mukhtar, said there were no records that Lawrence ever stayed at the establishment.

Indeed, since the history of the building has never been officially recorded, much information about its initial owners remains disputed, including if it was ever the home of the Viceroy of India, Louis Mountbatten. 




This photo taken on June 18, 2023, shows the grand structure of the Cecil Hotel which was constructed in 1851 in Murree, Pakistan. (AN Photo)


 “In the early 19th century, Mountbatten, he used to stay here,” Raza said. “It is said that during the viceroy’s stay, Quaid-e-Azam [Pakistani founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah] would also visit him here.”

Speaking about the building’s more recent history, Raza said it was owned by the Pakistan Tourism Development Authority until 1997:

“During this time, the property’s condition deteriorated, so they auctioned the property … That is how it came to its current owners ... who then decided to restore it to its original condition.”

Lahore-based historian Mukhtar said Murree was known for its colonial buildings and a particular type of architecture of which the restored Cecil was a perfect example: high ceilings, bay windows, beautiful wooden balconies, wooden staircases, elaborate dancing floors and ballrooms.




This photo taken on June 18, 2023, shows the grand staircase at the Cecil Hotel Murree, Pakistan. (AN Photo)

“I don’t know of any prior restorative efforts on the Cecil Murree but the one that has recently been done by the PC hotel is truly commendable,” Mukhtar told Arab News. 

“They have done it very tastefully, aesthetically. They have not taken the flavor of colonial times away from it, rather they have revived it.”

Visitors agreed.

Obaid Khan, a software engineer who was visiting a friend at the hotel, appreciated the owners for preserving the building and said he would bring his family soon.

“Rest of the hotels in Murree are regular buildings, establishments that you can find anywhere,” he said. “But here you actually get to experience the heritage.”

Muniba Khan, a hairstylist from Lahore, said she was visiting the nearby town of Bhurban with friends and had come to the Cecil Hotel for a cup of tea and fallen in love with the property.

“And when I liked the hotel, I refused to go back,” Khan told Arab News. “The way they have done, I mean, the whole thing, the tiles, the walls, everything is so beautiful. You can just keep on looking at it. I really think it’s a treat for Pakistan.”


Pakistan PM vows to ‘break any hand’ threatening relations with Saudi Arabia

Updated 7 sec ago
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Pakistan PM vows to ‘break any hand’ threatening relations with Saudi Arabia

  • Statement comes after Imran Khan’s wife released a video message widely viewed as critical of the Kingdom
  • Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are close allies, with nearly 3 million Pakistanis living and working in the Kingdon

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday vowed strict action against anyone attempting to undermine Pakistan’s close relations with Saudi Arabia, declaring that his government would “break any hand” threatening ties between the two nations.
Sharif’s statement appeared to reference recent remarks by Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, who in a rare public message on Thursday assured state institutions that her jailed husband would not seek revenge against political opponents if he returned to power.
She also made remarks in her video message that were widely viewed as implying that the Saudi government had opposed Khan when he was prime minister from 2018-22.
“Such venom-spitting is an unforgivable crime,” Sharif said while addressing a ceremony on Friday. “I, as the prime minister of Pakistan, want to announce that the nation will break any hand trying to undermine the Pakistan-Saudi friendship.”
“This is not a joke,” he continued. “The allegation is beyond understanding. The biggest national interest is being slaughtered to serve the short-term political interest.”
He criticized the former first lady, whose husband’s PTI party is currently in opposition, saying that the Kingdom had never demanded anything in return from Pakistan for extending economic and diplomatic support but instead always “opened its doors.”
“I think there can be no greater enmity against Pakistan than this [issuing such comments],” he said, adding that Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was sacrificing the country’s interest for its political interests.
Sharif said “no one will be allowed to play” with Pakistan’s interests when it concerned “brotherly allies” such as Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also addressed the issue in a press conference, highlighting that over 2.8 million Pakistanis were working in the Kingdom, sending billions of dollars in remittances back to their country every year.
“Our cordial and friendly relationship with Saudi Arabia should not be affected due to someone’s political gains,” he said. “Such a controversial statement is an effort to save PTI’s sinking ship.”
Khan was ousted from the prime minister’s office in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in 2022, alleging that he was removed by his political rivals and the all-powerful military at the behest of the United States. All three parties deny the accusation.
The cricketer-turned-politician has been in prison since August last year, facing a slew of legal challenges. He denies any wrongdoing, claiming that all cases against him are politically motivated to keep him in jail.
His PTI party is set to kick off a “long march” to stage a protest in Islamabad on Nov. 24, aiming to pressure the government into releasing Khan from prison. Authorities have refused to grant permission to hold the gathering and imposed a ban on public assembly in the capital for two months.


Pakistani stocks break psychological 99,000 barrier on optimism over rates, reserves

Updated 22 November 2024
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Pakistani stocks break psychological 99,000 barrier on optimism over rates, reserves

  • An analyst attributes the intraday rally to broad-based gains across most economic sectors
  • The stock market has remained bullish since the government slashed policy rate in November

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday breached a major psychological barrier, surging past 99,000 points during intra-day trading before settling at 97,798.23, as analysts attributed the rally to investor optimism driven by falling lending rates and higher foreign exchange reserves.
The benchmark KSE-100 index climbed 2,057.40 points by 11:10 am, reaching 99,385.79 points from the previous close. However, the index closed at 97,798.23, marking an increase of 469.84 points or 0.48 percent.
Analyst Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation said bank levies on large deposits, surging global oil prices, and rupee stability were fueling investor optimism.
“Stocks remained bullish, led by scrips across the board, as investors weighed falling lending rates and the imposition of bank levies on large deposits following a drop in government bond yields,” he told Arab News. “Surging global crude oil prices, rupee stability, and higher forex reserves played a catalytic role in the record surge at the PSX.”
Last month, Pakistan’s external current account recorded a surplus of $349 million, marking the third consecutive month of surplus and the highest in this period. The current account reflects a nation’s transactions with the world, encompassing net trade in goods and services, net earnings on cross-border investments and net transfer payments.
A surplus indicates that a country is exporting more than it is importing, thereby strengthening its foreign exchange reserves.
A bullish trend has been observed in the stock market since Pakistan’s central bank cut its key policy rate by 250 basis points, bringing it to 15 percent earlier this month. Economic indicators have also steadily improved since securing a 37-month, $7 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in September.
In the past, the country faced a prolonged economic crisis that drained its foreign exchange reserves and saw its currency weaken amid double-digit inflation. Last year, Pakistan narrowly avoided a sovereign default by clinching a last-minute $3 billion IMF bailout deal.


US vows to be ‘steadfast partner’ after deadly attack in Pakistan’s Kurram district

Updated 22 November 2024
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US vows to be ‘steadfast partner’ after deadly attack in Pakistan’s Kurram district

  • American diplomatic mission says Pakistanis deserve to live free from harm, danger and threat
  • It offers condolences to victims’ families after 41 people were killed by unknown gunmen this week

KARACHI: The United States on Friday condemned a deadly attack in Pakistan’s Kurram district that killed 41 people this week, reaffirming its commitment to stand with Pakistan in ensuring the safety of its citizens against such militant attacks.
Unidentified gunmen targeted vehicles carrying Shiite community members in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday, in one of the deadliest sectarian attacks in recent years. The assault, which also left many critically injured, occurred in a region already plagued by deadly clashes in recent months.
“The United States will remain a steadfast partner as Pakistan works to ensure the safety and security of all its citizens,” Jonathan Lalley, the spokesperson of the US diplomatic mission in Pakistan, said in a statement. “We stand in solidarity with Pakistan and the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in this difficult time.”
Lalley expressed condolences to the victims’ families and called for a full recovery for the injured.
“The Pakistani people deserve to live free from harm, danger, and threat, and to feel protected and secure in their daily lives,” he added.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which followed the reopening of a key highway in the region after it was closed for weeks due to sectarian violence.
Kurram, a volatile district near the Afghan border, has been a flashpoint for sectarian clashes between Sunni and Shiite communities, adding to the challenges of maintaining security in the area.
The US-Pakistan forged a counterterrorism partnership in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks, to address regional security challenges. Over the years, however, the relationship faced friction, while the US-led international forces were in Afghanistan.
Despite the tensions, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to security cooperation and counterterrorism efforts, especially in the wake of the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
The commitment to security partnership reflects a shared goal of combating extremism and ensuring regional stability.
 


Pakistan, Malaysia agree to enhance military cooperation with focus on air force training

Updated 22 November 2024
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Pakistan, Malaysia agree to enhance military cooperation with focus on air force training

  • Malaysian air chief praises PAF’s advancements in indigenization on his first Pakistan visit
  • His Pakistani counterpart reaffirms commitment to training Malaysian Air Force personnel

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to deepen bilateral military cooperation, with a particular emphasis on joint training and air power collaboration, Pakistan’s military said on Friday.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Royal Malaysian Air Force Chief General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Mohd Asghar Khan bin Goriman Khan at Air Headquarters in Islamabad.
“The [Pakistan] Air Chief reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing military partnership between the two Air Forces through joint training initiatives, particularly within the realm of air power,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. “These initiatives will encompass provisioning of both basic and tactical level training for personnel of the Malaysian Air Force.”
The Malaysian air chief, making his first visit to Pakistan, praised the PAF’s advancements in indigenization and technological innovation. He also expressed interest in bolstering ties through enhanced collaboration in training, maintenance and operational excellence.
The meeting included discussions on defense cooperation, joint exercises and technology sharing, ISPR said, highlighting the robust defense relationship between the two nations.
During his visit, the Malaysian official toured the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park Silicon and the PAF Cyber Command, where he was briefed on Pakistan’s advanced operational capabilities.
He also lauded the innovative projects displayed at the ongoing International Defense Exhibition IDEAS-2024 in Karachi.
Earlier, the Malaysian air chief was presented with a guard of honor upon his arrival, ISPR added.


Pakistan government doubles down on preventing Imran Khan’s Nov. 24 protest

Updated 22 November 2024
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Pakistan government doubles down on preventing Imran Khan’s Nov. 24 protest

  • Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warns no talks if Khan’s PTI proceeds with the protest
  • Ex-premier’s party plans a ‘long march’ to Islamabad, seeking his release from prison

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday vowed to implement the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) order, refusing to allow former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to stage the Nov. 24 protest in the federal capital demanding his release.
The PTI has announced a “long march” to Islamabad, primarily to pressurize the government to end Khan’s imprisoned that has lasted for over a year on what his party contends are politically motivated charges. The protest also aims to raise PTI’s voice against alleged rigging in the February 8 general elections while calling for measures to ensure judicial independence, which the party says has been undermined by the 26th constitutional amendment.
Only a day earlier, the IHC directed the government to form a committee to engage in talks with the PTI, emphasizing the need to avoid disruptions during the three-day visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to discuss bilateral economic cooperation. The court expressed hope that the PTI would allow “meaningful communication” with the administration while acknowledging that the maintenance of law and order would be the government’s priority if there was no breakthrough between the two sides.
Addressing the media in Islamabad alongside the capital city’s chief commissioner and police chief, the interior minister highlighted that no rally, march or protest would be allowed in the federal capital owing to the Belarusian president’s visit to the country, as per the IHC order.
“No one will be allowed to stage a rally or protest in Islamabad in compliance with the high court order,” Naqvi said. “After the IHC order, we will implement it 100 percent at any cost. We are bound by the law to implement it.”
Regarding the IHC directions to hold talks with the PTI party leadership, the minister said he would speak to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the evening to constitute a committee “but definitely if they stage a protest, this [negotiation] will get difficult.”
Islamabad’s district magistrate has already imposed a two-month ban on the gathering of more than five people in the capital using Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which allows the government to prohibit various forms of political assembly, gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, demonstrations and other activities for a specified period.
In response to a question about whether the government was in touch with Adiala Jail, where ex-premier Khan is currently incarcerated, Naqvi said he has no contact with anyone there.
The interior minister also highlighted that the capital city’s administration did not receive any application from the PTI to stage a protest.
He made it clear that people violating the court orders would be responsible if there was any loss of life during the Nov. 24 protest.
Naqvi also said that he agreed with the residents of Islamabad that shops, roads, businesses and mobile signals should not be shut down but noted there was no other way of dealing with such protests.
“If they want to come and protest [in Islamabad], I’ll be the one who will say that no talks should take place,” he concluded. “If they want to hold talks, they should do it in a proper manner. This is no way that on one side they protest and on the other call for talks.”
Earlier this week, Pakistan’s interior ministry had authorized the deployment of paramilitary Punjab Rangers and Frontier Corps troops in Islamabad to maintain law and order.
Pakistan’s parliament also passed a law earlier this year to regulate public gatherings in Islamabad, specifying timings for rallies and designating specific areas. The law prescribes three-year jail terms for participants in illegal assemblies and 10-year imprisonment for repeat offenders.