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Tuesday 24 January 2017

GILGIT (AwesomePakistan.Net): The International Ski Federation (FIS) has approved 16 international races for Pakistan, giving the sport a much-awaited boost.

The facility means more international skiers will visit Pakistan to benefit from Pakistani ski slopes of international standard.

According to information gathered by The Express Tribune, Pakistan Ski Federation (PSF) after sending two skiers – Muhammad Abbas and Mohammad Karim to Canada Olympics and Sochi (Russia) Winter Olympics in 2010 and 2014, respectively – tried hard to get international status with FIS races for its ski slopes.

Cable cars bring life back to Malam Jabba

However, it was made possible last year when FIS sent its international experts to Pakistan who approved Swat’s Malam Jabba and G-B’s Naltar for international competitions.

PSF then held the Chief of Air Staff International Karakorum Ski Cup 2016 at Naltar in which six skiers from Turkey participated. “That’s how FIS was convinced to approve 16 races for this year,” an official close to PSF said on Tuesday.

PSF spokesperson Obaid Abbasi said that for the first time around 12 countries will participate in races to be held in Malam Jabba and Naltar valley from January till March 2017.

Rocky thoroughfare: Dilapidated state of Malam Jabba Road irks locals

He said previously Pakistan would send its skiers to foreign countries for training, but now this practice will be stopped which will save Pakistan millions of rupees.

More than 20 ski associations and departments including the army, air force, navy, HEC, CAA and G-B scouts will participate in various competitions.

The latest development is said to be a revolution in skiing field. In Naltar and Malam Jabba locals started the game with homemade wooden skis and plastic boots in the 1990s.

“It’s a dream come true,” said a local skier about the event in which international teams will compete for 64 medals.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2017.

SWAT / ISLAMABAD (AwesomePakistan.Net): The top agency for disaster management issued a weather advisory and alerts on Tuesday after weather officials forecast high intensity rain and snowfall in major parts of the country within the next 24 hours.

“It is expected that from Tuesday onwards there will be an increase in the intensity of rainfall and snowfall in major parts of the country which will continue till Thursday,” said the PMD Director General Dr Ghulam Rasul, while talking to The Express Tribune. “There are chances of floods in low-lying areas due to heavy rainfall and landslides due to snowfall over hilly areas. In the coming two days temperature is expected to drop further in northern areas,” he said.

More showers are expected next month and after mid-February spring season will start in Pakistan. He said it was unfortunate Pakistan had a capacity to store only 30 days water in its two major reservoirs no matter how much amount of rain it receives every year.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has advised people to take extra precautionary measures while travelling towards hilly areas. Those living in low-lying areas should move to safer places in order to avoid any untoward situation which may occur due to heavy rain/snowfall, it said.

Extreme weather: Heavy rains kill two in Balochistan

The NDMA has requested the Provincial National Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) to coordinate with vulnerable districts – particularly of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan – for timely preparedness and immediate response.

“All roads leading to snow bound areas should be covered by police check posts to control flow of traffic and ensure commuters travel safety. Traffic to and from Murree, Galiyat, Naran and Kaghan valley must be regulated,” it said.

The NDMA has also asked that all crossing points at seasonal nullahs and hill torrents to be manned by police to stop crossing of vehicles during flash flood.

“People living in slums [kachi abadi] must be sensitised to shift to safe locations to avoid any loss of life due to a roof or wall collapse. Food, medicines and fuel stock to be ensured for far-flung and snow bound areas,” the NDMA advisory said.

The authority also requested Information Ministry to ensure airing of advisories and public service messages through electronic media and the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) to ensure that telecommunication services remain intact, especially in snowbound areas.

“Ensure functioning of urban rainwater disposal, sanitation systems along with backup supply and availability of requisite staff,” it advised.

Snowfall on Swat mountains

Heavy rain and snowfall on mountains of Swat further dropped the temperature in the valley. According to an official of the Swat meteorological department, rain coupled with chilly wind which started on late Monday night continued lashing parts of Swat till Tuesday evening.

Weather Report: Twin cities expect rains from Sunday

“The recent downpour has lashed parts of lower Swat including the main city of Mingora, Saidu Sharif, Matta, Khawaza Khela and Kabal,” the official said, adding that besides downpour, snowfall was also recorded on the mountains of Bahrain and Kalam valley.

The official also said the recent spell of rain and snowfall would continue till Thursday.

Meanwhile, one person was killed and two others were injured due to heavy rains in Quetta on Tuesday.

Several houses were also damaged and power supply remained suspended in various areas of the city. Many areas of Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Zhob and Toba Kakari were cut off from the district headquarters as flash floods washed away the link roads.

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued emergency alert in the province, while Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri directed all concerned departments to immediately send relief goods and food items to the affected areas and shift the people to safer places, if needed.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2017.

Tuesday 17 January 2017

SUKKUR (AwesomePakistan.Net): Sindh culture minister Sardar Ali Shah has vowed to preserve all historical sites in Sindh and restore the Kotdiji fort. Talking to media persons after visiting Masoom Shah Minara in Sukkur on Monday, Shah said the archeology department was under the federal government till 2012, but it did nothing to preserve the historical sites in Sindh.

Report sought on heritage protection

On the contrary, many artifacts were shifted to Punjab, he remarked. Some of the cannons at the Kotdiji Fort were taken to Punjab, which will be returned back to its original place, he added. “Being the custodian of historical sites, it is my duty to protect all the historical sites,” he said.

Replying to a question regarding the slow pace of work on the Benazir Bhutto Cultural Complex in Sukkur, he said that the works and services department was responsible for the construction and he will inquire from them about the delay.

Published in The Express Tribune.

Sunday 15 January 2017

GILGIT: Although snowfall in Gilgit-Baltistan brings respite and a sigh of relief to residents, enhancing the beauty of the majestic and pristine mountainous landscape, unfortunately, it also puts a freeze on daily life in the region.

The picture perfect snow-draped areas might be an attraction for tourists, but for local people, winter is a test of survival skills.

Residents of Gilgit-Baltistan brave sub-zero temperatures with no gas or electricity for heating, and only wood and coal available as fuel, which also must be managed frugally because all the roads are shut and supplies are limited.

“It is like I am living inside a deep freezer,” said Ashiq Khan who has come from Islamabad to visit his family in Gilgit. “There is no gas, electricity or even water in the homes. Everything is frozen,” said Ashiq who finds it difficult to live in his birthplace after spending few years in Islamabad. On Sunday, the mercury dipped to minus 14 degree centigrade in Skardu and Ghanche valleys, and minus eight degrees in Gilgit.

Extreme weather has compelled residents to stay indoors. According to locals, the drop in temperature makes life harder for them. Even washing, bathing and cooking become a challenge with water frozen in pipes and limited fuel for heating. Communications remain suspended, with no letup in snowfall. The heaviest snowfall of the season so far was recorded in Astore Valley.

Snowy silver linings

The chill brings its own thrill. With lakes frozen across G-B, people in Ghizer enjoy football tournament on Khalti Lake every year. Participation is usually limited to local teams from Ghizer in the tournament dotted with slips and bruises and tons of joys and laughter. The lake in Gupis Valley is between 30 and 70 feet deep at most points.

Frozen lakes also attract a small trekking community that travels from plains across the mountains to savour the hikes over the ice.

Phundar and Karambar lakes, located in the same valley, have also frozen over. In Hunza, Attabad Lake was frozen as well. People enjoyed going for walks on the ice.

A couple of traffic accidents were reported in the region due to slippery roads, but no loss of life was reported.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2017.

CHAKWAL: The Katas Raj Temples, situated near Chakwal, have been a popular tourist attraction for decades.

In heavenly surroundings, the complex of temples are integral Hindu mythology. The complex houses the Satgraha, a gathering of seven old temple, the remains of a Buddhist stupa, a couple of medieval sanctuaries, havelis and some relatively newly built sanctuaries.

These structures are strategically located around a pool of water which is considered to be sacred by Hindus. However, only four of the seven temples are intact today.

Moen Jo Daro excavation: ‘Site undergoing maintenance to attract archaeologists’

Although the smaller temples were built around 900 years ago, the larger ones date back to the latter half of the sixth century CE.

The sanctuaries at the complex were mostly built atop square platforms.

Alan Cunningham, the first director general of the Archaeological Survey of India (1872-73), said that Katas Raj was the second largest sacred location for Hindus in Punjab after Jawala Mukhi.

30,000-year-old rock art, 110 heritage sites discovered in Khyber Agency

Legend has it that the pond at Katas Raj was formed by the tears Lord Shiva shed after the death of his wife Sati.

The temple complex was abandoned after the Hindu exodus to India in 1947.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2017.

Friday 13 January 2017

MINGORA: Cultural activists and archaeologists in Swat urged the government to protect the recently discovered Dadahara Fort built in the 9th Century, located in the mountain of Dadahara in Brikot tehsil.

The activists and archaeologists, while talking to The Express Tribune, said that the discovered castle is part of a chain of castles in Swat built during the Hindu-Greek period.

Amjad Ali, a local archaeology expert said, “This castle has been built by the Hindu-Greeks and covers a large area, but unfortunately a lack of attention and illegal excavators have destroyed the ancient castle.” He added that the height of the castle allowed a soldier to guard the entire lower Swat.

“We can not only see parts of lower Swat but Malakand Pass, Thana area, parts of Dir and Bunir districts are also visible from this castle,” Ali said while pointing at these faraway areas.

Moen Jo Daro excavation: ‘Site undergoing maintenance to attract archaeologists’

Anwar Anjum, a cultural activist who was one of the visitors, said, “The architects of the Hindu-Greek period were skillful.” He added, “The site around the castle is a rough terrain and architects must have faced difficulties when they constructed it centuries ago.”

He also said this castle had a strategic importance as, after the fall of Hindu-Greeks this castle was used as strategic post the later Muslim dynasties of Ghaurids and Ghaznavids.

Referring to the current dilapidated condition of the historical site Anjum lamented, “Some parts of the boundary-wall and few bastions of the castle can be seen, while the rest of the castle has been ruined by the locals and illegal excavators.”

He said it is the responsibility of the local administration to take the castle into their custody and protect it from illegal excavators.

Tajdar Alam, a local resident of Barikot, said the locals were unaware about the historical importance of the castle and demolished parts of the castle because the believed that it belonged to Kafirs (Infidels).

Alam added that there were dozens of hollow bastions were erected to support the castle but unfortunately, only four are intact and the rest have been raised to the ground by illegal excavators and smugglers. He said that the smugglers and illegal excavators believed that the hollow bastions were full of precious items.

Archaeologists in Swat said that there had been six major castles and close thirty watch towers built for the purpose of fortification of Swat, Dir and Bunir during the Hindu-Greek period.

They believe that most of these fortifications were built on high land alongside the Swat River. They built these to monitor activities across the empire which is currently spread across Swat, Dir and Bunir districts.

Sindh to repair car of man who excavated Moen Jo Daro

Director Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Archaeology and Museum Dr Abdul Samad Khan, while talking to The Express Tribune said, “Steps have been taken to preserve and protect the recently discovered historical castle in Swat.” He added that the Swat Museum’s curator has also been directed to visit the site soon and submit his report to the directorate.

IsLAMABAD (News2World): The department of archaeology and museums (DOAM) is preparing a plan to conserve the famous Rawat Fort located in the Pothohar region. According to DOAM officials, the fort has been in a dilapidated condition for many years and needs urgent attention of the authorities for its preservation. “Rawat Fort was protected by the federal government and the DOAM was working on PC-I for conservation of this forgotten relic and will soon submit it to the authorities for approval,” an official said. The fort was built in early 16th century by Gakhars, a warrior clan, to defend the Pothohar plateau. The grave of the Gakhar chief, Sultan Sarang Khan is present within the fort. Around 17 km east of Rawalpindi on Grand Trunk Road, this is where Gakhar chief Sultan Sarang, loyal to Mughal dynasty, crossed swords with the army of Afghan king Sher Shah Suri in 1546 AD. Sultan Sarang was later captured by Sher Shah Suri and flayed alive.

Misty mornings, foggy streets and our favorite dry fruits — it's that time of the year when a blanket of snow dramatically transforms every place hit by winter.

Last week we challenged our photographers to take amazing pictures showing their love for winters and we were overwhelmed by the massive response. Here are some magical shots submitted to us on Instagram through Dawn Weekly Project

1. Magnificent view of snow packed Lowari pass

Photo by @imranthetrekker

2. Mighty cones at Gashabrum Glacier

Photo by @bhutta07

3. Snowy Kashmir

Photo by @muntazir.a

Photo by @masood_bhat

Photo by @azameap

4. Mesmerising beauty of 'Nanga Parbat'

Photo by @aliabbasakhtar

5. Sunshine at Mushkpuri Top

Photo by @mmp.art

6. Kashmiri pedestrians walking through a snow-covered street during heavy snowfall in Srinagar

Photo by @Saqibmajeed

7. Hiking up the frozen Mushkpuri Top

Photo by @ayubiiiii

ABBOTTABAD (AP TV): Daily life was crippled in the hilly parts of Hazara Division on Friday after heavy snowfall and rain continued to lash different parts of the region for the third consecutive day on Friday.

Business activities remained suspended in many areas, while tourists were also not allowed to visit places beyond Kaghan owing to land sliding and the lingering fear of getting stranded.

Officials told The Express Tribune that most of the roads remained blocked for traffic owing to the heavy snowfall. The most affected areas were Galiyat areas in Abbottabad, Mansehra, Bhogarmang valley, and Kaghan valley.

Nathiagali and Ayubia in Abbottabad received 1.5 to 1.75 feet of snow, while the hills of Galiyat region received 1.75 to two feet of snow till Friday evening, locals and officials said. Snowfall is expected to continue throughout the night.

Officials added that the main Abbottabad-Murree Road and all link roads, including Ayubia Road, had been blocked at different places.

“Almost all the link roads in the valley have been blocked due to snow,” Donga Gali police told The Express Tribune.

The rain and snow also interrupted power supply to different parts of Galiyat.

PESCO sources confirmed that power lines had snapped after trees laden with snow fell in the forested areas. However, the official said that their staff were busy locating the line breaks and fixing the fault.

Similarly, the Kaghan valley had between two to three feet of snow on Friday. Babusar Top and other surrounding high altitude areas had received three to four feet of snow. As a result of the snow and land sliding, the Kaghan Road was blocked at different places. The road blockages forced the local administration to ban the entry of tourists to the Kaghan valley.

“Tourists going beyond Kaghan town are at risk as they could get stranded due to land sliding and snowfall,” police officials said.

However, the snowfall has only proven to be a magnet, especially for domestic tourists, with social media awash with pictures of people enjoying the snow or of cars slowly snaking up the hillsides.

Motorists heading to Gilgit-Baltistan via Babusar Top had been diverted towards Kohistan, police said.

Apart from Mansehra and Abbottabad, Chattarplane, Bogarmang valleys, Battagram, Torghar and Kohistan also re

ceived snowfall. It blocked several link roads in Kohistan, Torghar and Battagram.

Th Sharah-e-Kagan was blocked at Sharkool while the Karakoram Highway was also blocked at different places in Kohistan, police confirmed.

Roads blocked in AJK

Roads heading to the Neelum and Leepa valleys in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), have also been blocked due to ongoing heavy snowfall and rains in the area which continued for a fourth day on Friday.

All linking routes have also been blocked for all kinds of traffic in the area.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), over six feet snowfall was recorded in Neelum Valley’s Keel sector whereas eight to ten feet was observed on hills.

The meteorological department has predicted further snowfall over the hills in Malakand, Hazara, Galyat and Kashmir over the next 12 hours with mostly cold and dry weather expected elsewhere in the region.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2017.

Thursday 12 January 2017

The US Virgin Islands are paying tourists to visit its beautiful beaches this year in celebration of its 100th anniversary of being part of the United States.

Saudis seeking reciprocity on visa, says minister

All you need to do is book the trip through the island’s tourism website before October 1 and stay at a participating hotel on one of the main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John and Saint Thomas. You will be given $300 to spend on a range of tours and activities, including kayaking and diving, CNBC reported.

PIA’s premier service set to take off

December, January and February tend to be peak seasons for tourists and flights are offered from the east coast. Tourists visiting the islands on March 31 will also receive a souvenir in honour of “transfer day,” which celebrates the centennial of Denmark selling the islands to the US.

The world’s best airlines for 2017

The Caribbean islands are located to the south east of Florida, have a population of just over 100,000 and are classified as a “Non-Self-Governing Territory” by the United Nations. It should be noted, however, that the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel notice for the area to anyone who is pregnant or expecting to become pregnant due to the Zika virus.

This article originally appeared on Independent.

Wednesday 11 January 2017

GILGIT: With one eye on the rising number of tourists flocking to the area and the other on preserving a fast disappearing tradition, the Gilgit-Baltistan police on Tuesday formally inducted a traditional piece of headgear into their uniform.

The cap, locally known as “Khoi”, will be donned by the traffic police in the region.

Security guards for KKH trained by G-B police

The addition to the uniform was formally made by Inspector General of G-B Police Zafar Iqbal Awan, who put the caps on the heads of traffic officials in Gilgit on Tuesday.

“This new arrangement has been made to give the police a friendly look,” said Mubarak Jan, the official spokesman of G-B police.

“It will serve two objectives,” Jan told The Express Tribune. “It will help promote culture as well help promote tourism for which the region is famous.”

He added that the region was fast becoming a tourist-destination, especially in the summer, and wearing traditional clothing would help give them a softer image among foreign and domestic tourists.

The decision stems from the G-B government’s move to preserve and promote local culture. Last year, the G-B government had stipulated September 1 as ‘cap day’ with all government employees in G-B required to don the traditional caps. Eventually, the day was celebrated on October 1, though the government now plans to hold the event annually on September 1.

Khoi is still an integral part of G-B’s formal dress in this mountain-locked region and is worn by many as a symbol of pride. The soft, round and flat-topped cap is usually white in colour and is made from the finest wool. They are usually decorated with either a tuft of feathers or a flower – shanti. Together, the cap and the feather are called Shanti-Khoi.

A year of highs and some lows for Gilgit-Baltistan

However, for the police, the cap has been slightly modified with an emblem of the G-B police added to the spot where the feather is inserted into the cap.

“It will certainly be different look when one finds a policeman wearing a local cap,” said Kamran Khan, a resident.

Manzar Shigri, a local journalist, was apprehensive about the feathers being used. Referring to the age-old practice when Shanti would be made from feathers of birds, he said that the government must ensure that artificial feathers are used.

This is not the first time the cap has become part of a uniform. Previously, Major William Brown’s pre-partition Gilgit Scouts used the cap as part of their uniform. Today, the modern version of the scouts – the Northern Light Infantry Regiment (NLI) – includes the cap in their uniform.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2017.

Tuesday 10 January 2017

SHIMSHAL (Awesome News): A weeklong basic mountaineering camp organized by Pakistan Youth Outreach in collaboration with Karakorum Expedition, came to its end. This year marked successful conclusion of 6th Basic Mountaineering and 2nd National Ice Climbing championship at Malangudi Glacier Shimshal.\

For the past six years, Pakistan Youth Outreach has been organizing outdoor sports related events for youth. The outdoor mountaineering training camp is initiative of mountaineering duo siblings, Ms. Samina Baig and Mr. Mirza Ali, as a part of wider youth outreach program. In particular, the purpose of this event is to promote outdoor sports, encourage women participation in challenging adventure sports and promote tourism specially winter & adventure tourism in Pakistan.

The event had around 25 participants, representing different regions of Pakistan, from Sindh, Punjab, PATA (swat), AJK and Gilgit Baltistan. Out of total 25 members, there were 13 girls from different professions and of age group between 17 to 48 years. This year’s event also had three foreign participants, two females and a male from Norway, USA and Germany respectively.

The weeklong mountaineering camp concluded with the 2nd National Ice Climbing Competition. The initial plan was for the championship to be held at the Pakistan’s first artificial wall, however due to global warming affecting Shimshal’s winter this year the wall couldn’t be built. The championship was therefore held at the foot of Malangudi Glacier’s natural ice wall.

The Championship is a promotion of winter Olympics in Pakistan and engaging youth in healthy activities. The competition was divided into two categories for girls and boys. After a thrilling competition, under boys category Mr. Sultan Mirza age 17 secured the first position, 1st National ice champion Mr. Ahmed Baig came to 2nd place and Mr. Reco from Germany secured 3rd position.

In a compelling competition among girls, Ms. Siv Ann secured 1st position, 1st National Ice climbing Champion Ms. Samana Rahim secured 2nd position and Ms.Maira Wafa held 3rd position.

The full day championship was followed by an award distribution ceremony, which was a perfect way to end the event, with winners being awarded with unique prizes of ice climbing tools.

Mr. Reco, Mr. Kalim swaty highly appreciated PYO for organizing such events for the youth of Pakistan and hoped for this to continue in future. Mr. Saleem an engineer by profession also commended the event and showed his eagerness to join similar events in the future. Ms. Natasha and Zoya from Sindh also expressed their gratitude and thanked Mr. Mirza Ali and Ms. Samina Baig for organizing such a wonderful event.

The event came to a great end and all the participants greatly enjoyed their time & learning experience, and happily returned home after spending a night in Shimshal village. The basic mountaineering camp was an inspiration and motivation for the young participants, as it taught them not only the basic climbing techniques, but also unique survival skills and provided a great platform for social interaction.

Ms.Samina and Mr.Mirza Ali highly appreciated the participants for their courage, interest and enthusiasm for outdoor sports and appreciated participants’ families for allowing and trusting PYO to send their children in this outdoor camp specially in case of young girls. This was indeed a great message of women empowerment and gender equality.

Pakistan Youth outreach will continue to organize similar events in the future for youth with same objectives. Pakistan Youth outreach next event is Ski4Freedom starting from 20th -27th January and first ski event in Chipursan valley from 1st till 4th February.