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Tag: islamabad

  • Ancient Buddhist caves in Islamabad to be developed as a tourist spot

    Ancient Buddhist caves in Islamabad to be developed as a tourist spot

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration to develop the historic Buddha Caves in Shah Allah Ditta as a tourist spot.

    According to details, PM Khan has directed both CDA and ICT to collaborate with the national history and literary heritage ministry for the restoration and development of the Buddha Caves to promote tourism.

    PM Khan’s government is actively working to open and develop historic religious sites across the country. Recently, a 1000-year old Hindu Temple was reopened in Sialkot. Plans to open a Gurdwara in Jhelum are also underway.

    The caves, located about half an hour from Faisal Masjid, are an important site for the followers of Buddhism and many worshippers who visit the caves often complain about the neglect.

    Archaeologists say that the Shah Allah Ditta caves date back to the Stone Age, while the Buddhist murals inside the cave are at least 2,500 years.

    The caves were used in various eras. Some of the surviving frescos depict images of Hindu deities, while a stream in front of the caves also shows that the site remained in the use of Hindus before partition.

    The area surrounding the caves is also rich in history. Marked on the ground close to the caves is the location where Alexander arrived and was received by King of Taxila Raja Ambi. Meanwhile, the road next to the caves that leads to the main top of the mountain is said to be built on the exact path followed by Pashtun emperor Sher Shah Suri during his visit.

    In the past, several calls for the preservation of the caves have been made but with little success.

  • Govt drops plan to make PM House a research university

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has dropped its earlier plan of converting the Prime Minister’s (PM) House into a research university and instead an “emerging technologies and engineering” university will be established.

    As per the details, the new idea will be materialised at a cost of around Rs30 billion and the university will be headed by former Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman Dr Attaur Rahman.

    “The proposal to have a policy institute at the PM House has been abandoned on my advice and rather an emerging technologies and engineering university will be set up in the vacant area of the venue,” Dr Rehman told a local English daily.

    Earlier, the Education Ministry had completed the process of making the PM House a research university, named as “Islamabad National University”, in the first phase.

    The university was to be constructed on 30 acres of land acquired from the polo ground, stables and mountains of the PM House in the second phase.

    Reports had said that a research institute was to be made initially which was to be further given the status of a university.

  • Tired of being bored? Here’s how you can explore your city

    Tired of being bored? Here’s how you can explore your city

    Karachi – Mohatta  Palace

    Art, architecture, and culture come to play at this 20th-century residential palace, which has now been converted into an art gallery and museum surrounded by trees and statues.

    While we were doing our research, a Karachi historian told us a lesser-known story about the palace. She told us that the building was constructed by Mohatta, a Hindu Marwari business, for his wife who was ill. The doctors suggested that her illness could be cured if she gets refreshing winds from the sea. Thus, Mohatta had this fascinating structure built on a large piece of land facing the sea.

    Lahore – Badshahi Mosque

    While taking a stroll through the masjid, one is almost transported back in history. The red bricks and perfectly round domes signify traditional Mughal architecture.

    Historians say that the Badshahi Mosque was initially planned to guard a strand of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) hair.

    The mosque is also famous for its unique echo system. The Muazzan used to recite the azan at one corner but the sound of it would be heard all around, as if he was speaking in a microphone. The sound system was destroyed when the floor was replaced, but one can still experience its remains.

    Islamabad – Pakistan Monument

    Everyone who visits this place says that it’s a must-visit. The Pakistan Monument in Islamabad represents all four provinces of Pakistan. Who knew that one day we would have five provinces?

    Apart from the large structure, the place also has a museum where you can learn about Pakistan from realistic models, which are informative and fun.

    Bahawalpur – Derawar Fort

    The fort was initially known as Dera Wal is one of the oldest and most architecturally fascinating forts in Pakistan. Located in the heart of the magnificent Cholistan Desert, the Derawar fort is also connected to other forts in the Cholistan through a network of underground tunnels.

    There is an old canon of historic value in the courtyard of the fort that was used against enemies during war. The walls inside the structure are damaged but their former glory is still intact.

    Tomb Shah Rukne Alam Multan

    Shah Rukn-e-Alam was an eminent Sufi from Multan, also known as the city of saints and sufis. The shrine of Shah Rukn e Alam is one of Pakistan’s architectural treasures. The shrine itself, its ambience and the presence of qawwals in the courtyard give you a peaceful vibe. A large number of devotees from every corner of the country visit Multan annually to attend the urs.