Karachi
Karachi city also known as city of lights was the first capital of Pakistan. It is the twentieth largest city of the world in terms of metropolitan population and is Pakistan’s premier center of banking, industry, and trade. Karachi is also the home of Pakistan’s largest corporations that are involved in entertainment, arts, fashion, advertising, publishing, software development and medical research. It also serves as a major hub of higher education in South Asia, and the wider Islamic World. The Karachi Stock Exchange is the largest stock exchange in Pakistan, and is considered by many economists to be one of the prime reasons for Pakistan’s 8% GDP growth across 2005. Karachi is also home of many famous and old universities and educational institutes of Pakistan. Karachi enjoys its prominent position, due to its geographical location on a bay, making it the financial capital of the country. It is one of the fastest growing cities of South Asia. It was the original capital of Pakistan until the construction of Islamabad, and is the location of the Port of Karachi and nearby Port Qasim, one of the region’s largest and busiest ports
Lahore
Lahore, also known as the Heart of Pakistan, has the honor of being capital of Punjab province and the second largest city of Pakistan. It is the most cultural, political, and educational city of Pakistan. Lahore’s native language are Urdu and Punjabi which are mostly spoken. It is famed for being an eminent historical citywith the famous nine gates, the G.T Road, and the Lahore Fort. Shahi Mosque, Shahi Qila and Shalimar gardens are the excellent examples of splendid architecture of the Mughal period. Lahore has a lot to offer, including, from its popular film industry known as Lolly wood, Mughal and highly ethnical architecture to the most hospitable culinary fiestas, Lahore has a breathtaking charm and charisma that enchants every one that happens to be in Lahore.
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and is one of the major cities of Pakistan. Islamabad is one of the well-planned cities in South Asia. The city is well-organized and divided into different sectors and zones. Islamabad is located in the Potohar Plateau in the north of the country. It is the part of Punjab province. The city was built 1960 and was called capital after karachi city. Islamabad is surrounded by beautiful mountains of margalla Its weather is also pleasant and cool. Islamabad have many famous areas and places that can be interest of tourists. Islamabad is the home of many well known information technology companies and software houses. These all companies provide different IT services in paksitan as well as well out of Pakistan too.
Peshawar
Peshawar is now officially recognised as being one of the Oldest Living Cities in Asia. Its history and culture has continued uninterrupted since several centuries. It is an ancient city with a population of about 10 million people. A few miles away from the famous Khyber Pass, Peshawar has a common border with Afghanistan and commands routes through Khyber Pass to Kabul and Central Asia. Socially and culturally Peshawar is a conservative city, but this does not curb the locals from their showing their highly hospitable nature. The locals commonly known as the “Pthans” are famous from their hospitality and friendliness.
Peshawar is famous for its handicrafts, museum, sculptures and other antiques. It is also famous for producing excellent guns and pistols that are exactly identical to those made in the foreign countries. Peshawar is famous for being the route of conquerors from the north through its Khyber Pass, namely Mahmood Ghaznavi.
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Sialkot
Sialkot is a city situated in Punjab province of Pakistan. It is located near Indo-Pak border, about 125 k.m. from
Lahore, the capital of Punjab. The city is famous for being the birthplace of Allama Iqbal. It is also famous for making sports items. It contributes in generating revenues through exporting sports items to the entire world.
This city is centuries old. According to tradition, it was constructed by Raja Sul. After his death some 5000 years ago, there is a tradition that the dynasity continued for some 1500 years and then the country was flooded and remained one vast uninhabited region for about 1000 years.
The popular belief is that it was re-founded in the reign of Vikramaditya of Ujjain by Raja Sáliváhan or Sálbán, who built the fort and city and gave the place its present name. It is believed that the name of the city means “Fort of the Sia”, the Sia being a particular caste which founded the city in ancient times.
Multan
It is located in the southern part of the province, and is historically a very significant city. It has a population of over Multan is famous as the ‘City of Saints and Shrines’. The mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e –Alam, Sheikh Baha-ud-din Zakaria’s shrine and Shams Sabzwariis are places of true mystic and architectural delight. The city has its own charm, culture and crafts. Multan has some beautiful modern buildings such as Nishtar Medical College, University Campus, Arts Council building with and auditorium, Multan Railway Station building the famous Clock Tower building of the Multan Municipal Corporation. about 3.83 Million, making it the sixth largest city in Pakistan.
Quetta
With population of around 676,941 people, Quetta is one of the most important military stations of the country, occupying a vital and strategic position on account of the fact that the boundaries of Iran and Afghanistan meet here, and the Bolan Pass lies on important lines of communications. Quetta is a major Tourist attraction. It envisages all the colors of thrill, adventure and enjoyment. Some prominent bazaars of Quetta are on Shahrah-e-Iqbal (Kandahari Bazaar) and Shahrah-e-Liaquat (Liaquat Bazaar and Suraj Gang Bazaar). Here tourists can find colorful handicrafts, particularly Balochi mirror work embroidery which is admired all over the world. For Cuisine crazy, there are lots of sumptuous dishes to feast upon. Main places of Quetta are Liaqat Bazaar, Suraj Gang Bazaar and Kandahari Bazaar.
Faisalabad
Faisalabad happens to be the third biggest Pakistani city. Faisalabad district has an area of 5,856 sq km and a population of 35,47,446 souls. Faisalabad district has been endowed by nature with a rich soil. Aided by an efficient irrigation system, it has earned a name for agricultural productivity. Back in the day, Faisalabad was called Lyallpur up until the year 1979, after Sir Charles James Lyall, who was the founder of the city back in 1890. The actual name of the city was change to honor Saudi Arabia’s king Faisal. Today, Faisalabad is pretty much like Manchester, but to Pakistan, due to its famous textile mills. The primary area for markets in Faisalabad is known as Ghanta Ghar and actually refers to the clock tower that was constructed in the year 1895.
Essential industries in Faisalabad include goods, textiles, food, chemicals and synthetics. Some essential and famous educational institutions are the medical college of Punjab, the nuclear medicine institute of Punjab and the exceedingly famous university of national textile.
Gwadar
Gwadar is located on the south-western coast of Pakistan, on the Arabian Sea. It is strategically located between three increasingly important regions: the oil-rich Middle East, heavily populated South Asia and the economically emerging and resource-laden region of Central Asia. The Gwadar Port is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenues and create at least two million jobs. Gwadar deep-sea port emerges as a place of great strategic value, enhancing Pakistan’s importance in the whole region, extending from the Persian Gulf through the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia and the Far East. Gwadar port will directly and indirectly bring lots of wealth, trade and infrastructure advancement to the area which has been traditionally left behind in developement. The significance of Gwadar is great to both Pakistan and China. China is going to be the beneficiary of Gwadar’s most accessible international trade routes to the Central Asian republics and Xinjiang. By extending its East-West Railway from the Chinese border city of Kashi to Peshawar in Pakistan’s northwest, Beijing can receive cargo to and from Gwadar along the shortest route, from Karachi to Peshawar.
Swat Valley
Swat is a valley and an administrative district in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan. The capital of Swat is Saidu Sharif, but the main town in the Swat valley is Mingora. It was a princely state in the NWFP until it was dissolved in 1969. With high mountains, green meadows, and clear lakes, it is a place of great natural beauty that used to be popular with tourists as “the Switzerland of Pakistan”. Swat was ruled by the Hindu Shahi dynasty who have built an extensive array of temples and other architectural buildings now in ruins. Sanskrit was the language of the Swatis. Hindu Shahi rulers built fortresses to guard and tax the commerce through this area. Their ruins can be seen in the hills of Swat: at Malakand pass at Swat’s southern entrance. There is a popular ski resort in Swat at Malam Jabba, 40 km north east of Saidu Sharif. Ayub Bridge is one of the attractions for visitors. The scenery attracts many tourists from all over Pakistan during the summer.
Naran and Kaghan Valley
Naran is a village located in Kaghan Valley of Mansehra District, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan. The Kunhar River, swollen by glacier melt, passes through this village as it meanders its way through the valley. Kaghan valley is naturally equipped with high peak mountains, richly greenish meadows, plateau and thick pine forests. Kaghan is at its best in the summer months (May to September). Naran also serves as the base for the whole valley. From here you can ride a jeep or horse or hike in excursions to several picturesque lakes, valleys and peaks.Gilgit Balistan At an elevation of 1,454 metres lies the Gilgit Valley. Gilgit has spectacular scenic beauty. The peak tourist season is from May to mid-October though the tourist season is round the year. The maximum temperature in May is 33 C and minimum 16 C. The favourite sport in Gilgit is polo which local folks claim originated here. It’s more rugged, free-style version than the sedate variety known in the plains. The polo tournament held from 1st November to 7th November is a festive occasion and draws a large number of visitors. The streams and lakes of Gilgit are full of trout. The economy of region is basically based on traditional route of trade through Silk Road, agriculture and tourism. Agriculture such as: wheat, corn (maize), barley, fruits; Tourism is mostly in trekking and mountaineering and this industry is ‘growing in importance.
