Here is why Pakistan is more diverse than you thought

The linguistic and ethnic plurality of the country is breathtaking.
Nadeem F. Paracha Published December 22, 2016

Up North

Our journey to explore the genius of Pakistan’s diversity begins in the country’s northernmost area, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) which borders Afghanistan in the north and China in the east.

Main industries: Agriculture and tourism.

Literacy rate: 72%.

Main languages: Shina; Balti; Burushaski; Khowar; Wakhi.

Main faiths: Islam (largely Shia and Ismaili).

Main ethnic groups: Shins, Yashkuns, Kashmiris, Kashgaris, Pamiris, Pathans, and Kohistanis.

Political disposition: Progressive.

Social outlook: Moderate to liberal.

Aerial view of Gilgit City (Pic: GB Colors Network).
Aerial view of Gilgit City (Pic: GB Colors Network).

Domial Lake near GB’s second largest town, Skardu (Pic: Native Pakistan).
Domial Lake near GB’s second largest town, Skardu (Pic: Native Pakistan).

A heart-shaped lake at a tourist resort near Skardu. (Pic: Travel Pakistan).
A heart-shaped lake at a tourist resort near Skardu. (Pic: Travel Pakistan).

School children in Gilgit City (Pic: Nasir Ullah Baig).
School children in Gilgit City (Pic: Nasir Ullah Baig).

Gilgit Airport (Pic: Hamari Web).
Gilgit Airport (Pic: Hamari Web).

Wines made in the GB region of Hunza are popular with tourists. But visitors are advised to not go frolicking in their rented vehicles when under the influence.
Wines made in the GB region of Hunza are popular with tourists. But visitors are advised to not go frolicking in their rented vehicles when under the influence.

A snow leopard and her cub on a mountain at the foot of a village in Gilgit. (Pic: Wildlife of Pakistan)
A snow leopard and her cub on a mountain at the foot of a village in Gilgit. (Pic: Wildlife of Pakistan)

Mirpur in Azad Kashmir. Azad Kashmir is a self-governing administrative division of Pakistan.
Mirpur in Azad Kashmir. Azad Kashmir is a self-governing administrative division of Pakistan.

A protest rally in Gilgit City.
A protest rally in Gilgit City.

In the northeast of GB is the country’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. It shares an international border with Afghanistan.

Main industries: Agriculture, marble, forestry, small arms and tourism.

Literacy rate: 62%.

Main languages: Pushtu; Hindko; Punjabi.

Main faiths: Muslim (largely Sunni). Also has a small Sikh community.

Main ethnic groups: Pakhtun and Hindko-speaking Punjabi.

Political disposition: Mixed.

Social outlook: Conservative.

The historic Khyber Pass in KP connects Pakistan with Afghanistan. (Pic: Dost Pakistan)
The historic Khyber Pass in KP connects Pakistan with Afghanistan. (Pic: Dost Pakistan)

A mosque in Chitral which is one of the most scenic (and tourist-friendly) regions of KP. (Pic: Native Pakistan)
A mosque in Chitral which is one of the most scenic (and tourist-friendly) regions of KP. (Pic: Native Pakistan)

The ancient Qissa Khwani Bazar in KP’s capital city of Peshawar.
The ancient Qissa Khwani Bazar in KP’s capital city of Peshawar.

University of Peshawar (Pic: UoP).
University of Peshawar (Pic: UoP).

Fruit-sellers in KP’s Mardan city. (Pic: Dawn)
Fruit-sellers in KP’s Mardan city. (Pic: Dawn)

KP’s Abbotabad city at night. (Pic: Native Pakistan)
KP’s Abbotabad city at night. (Pic: Native Pakistan)

Aerial view of KP’s Swat region. An enchanting location, it was hit by religious militancy in the early 2000s. The Pakistan government and military pushed out the militants in 2009. The famous human rights activist Malala Yousafzai is from Swat. (Pic: Pakistan Tour Guide)
Aerial view of KP’s Swat region. An enchanting location, it was hit by religious militancy in the early 2000s. The Pakistan government and military pushed out the militants in 2009. The famous human rights activist Malala Yousafzai is from Swat. (Pic: Pakistan Tour Guide)

Soldiers of the Pakistan Army guarding a base in Pakistan’s volatile tribal area. The rugged beauty of this area has been tainted by years of extremist militancy. The government and armed forces of Pakistan finally conducted an intensive operation here to rid it of militant groups. (Pic: ISPR)
Soldiers of the Pakistan Army guarding a base in Pakistan’s volatile tribal area. The rugged beauty of this area has been tainted by years of extremist militancy. The government and armed forces of Pakistan finally conducted an intensive operation here to rid it of militant groups. (Pic: ISPR)

A markhor in Chitral. (Wildlife of Pakistan)
A markhor in Chitral. (Wildlife of Pakistan)

PTI chairman, Imran Khan, holding a rally in KP. His populist centre-right party, the PTI, swept the provincial polls in KP in 2013.
PTI chairman, Imran Khan, holding a rally in KP. His populist centre-right party, the PTI, swept the provincial polls in KP in 2013.

East of KP lies Pakistan’s capital city, Islamabad. The region was a hilly and forested area with a few villages until it was built from scratch as the capital city of Pakistan in the 1960s. It is an entirely new city and is federally administrated.

Main industries: Information & Technology; service sector.

Literacy rate: 88%.

Main languages: Punjabi, Pashtu, Sindhi, Urdu and English.

Main faiths: Islam (largely Sunni). A majority of foreign expats following a variety of faiths are also stationed here.

Main ethnic groups: Punjabi, Pakhtun, Sindhi and Mohajir.

Political disposition: Moderate to progressive.

Social outlook: Liberal.

Monsoon in Islamabad (Pic: M. Toori).
Monsoon in Islamabad (Pic: M. Toori).

The popular Pir Sohawa area of Islamabad has dozens of eateries situated upon a hill.
The popular Pir Sohawa area of Islamabad has dozens of eateries situated upon a hill.

The Prime Minister’s Secretariat.
The Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

The Parliament House/National Assembly building.
The Parliament House/National Assembly building.

A main commercial road in Islamabad.
A main commercial road in Islamabad.

A sprawling hotel in Islamabad.
A sprawling hotel in Islamabad.

A wild boar in the hills of Islamabad.
A wild boar in the hills of Islamabad.

Deep Centre

Bordering Islamabad in the south is Pakistan’s largest and most populated province, the Punjab. It shares a long border with India.

Main industries: Agriculture, heavy machinery, sports goods, motor and aircraft parts, metals, cement and tourism. Punjab is Pakistan’s most industrialised province.

Literacy rate: 61%.

Main languages: Punjabi, Sariki, Pashtu, Urdu, English.

Main faiths: Islam (largely Sunni). There are also significant Christian and Sikh minority communities here as well.

Main ethnic groups: Punjabi, Sariki, Pakhtun and Mohajir.

Political disposition: Moderate.

Social outlook: Moderate.

Aerial view of Punjab’s capital city, Lahore. (Pic: J. Zakriyah).
Aerial view of Punjab’s capital city, Lahore. (Pic: J. Zakriyah).

Balcony of a café behind which is Lahore’s historic Badshahi Mosque. (Pic: I. Hussain)
Balcony of a café behind which is Lahore’s historic Badshahi Mosque. (Pic: I. Hussain)

The University of Punjab, Lahore.
The University of Punjab, Lahore.

People at a literary festival in Lahore. (Pic: Dawn Images).
People at a literary festival in Lahore. (Pic: Dawn Images).

Section of a crowd at Lahore’s Gaddafi Cricket Stadium. (Pic: The News)
Section of a crowd at Lahore’s Gaddafi Cricket Stadium. (Pic: The News)

Lahore’s Anarkali Bazaar. (Pic: Khurram A.)
Lahore’s Anarkali Bazaar. (Pic: Khurram A.)

The famous Clock Tower of Faisalabad. Faisalabad is one of the oldest industrial hubs of Punjab.
The famous Clock Tower of Faisalabad. Faisalabad is one of the oldest industrial hubs of Punjab.

A man cycles through a field in rural Punjab. (Pic: S. Zaheer Abbas)
A man cycles through a field in rural Punjab. (Pic: S. Zaheer Abbas)

A young woman in rural Punjab. (Pic: Shirkatgah)
A young woman in rural Punjab. (Pic: Shirkatgah)

The Pakistan-India border near the Punjab city of Sialkot.
The Pakistan-India border near the Punjab city of Sialkot.

Multan: Punjab’s ‘city of Sufi saints and shrines’. (Pic: Junaid Shahid)
Multan: Punjab’s ‘city of Sufi saints and shrines’. (Pic: Junaid Shahid)

An ancient fort in Punjab’s Cholistan Desert. (Pic: Quratullah)
An ancient fort in Punjab’s Cholistan Desert. (Pic: Quratullah)

Punjab’s cool hilly town of Murree. (Pic: Nauman Hameed)
Punjab’s cool hilly town of Murree. (Pic: Nauman Hameed)

Punjab’s Jhang city. It has witnessed sectarian clashes and tensions ever since the late 1980s.
Punjab’s Jhang city. It has witnessed sectarian clashes and tensions ever since the late 1980s.

A flock of houbara bustards in South Punjab.
A flock of houbara bustards in South Punjab.

The current Pakistan PM and chief of the centrist PML-N, Nawaz Sharif, speaking at a rally in the Punjab city of Gujranwala. The PML-N has been Punjab’s largest political party ever since the 1990s.
The current Pakistan PM and chief of the centrist PML-N, Nawaz Sharif, speaking at a rally in the Punjab city of Gujranwala. The PML-N has been Punjab’s largest political party ever since the 1990s.

Down South

In the southeast of the country lies the Sindh province. Like Punjab, Sindh too shares a long border with India.

Main industries: Finance; manufacturing; service sector; fisheries; natural gas; agriculture.

Literacy rate: 70%.

Main languages: Sindhi; Urdu; Punjabi; Pashtu; Sariki; Balochi; Guajarati; English.

Main faiths: Islam (mainly Sunni, but Sindh also has the country’s largest Shia Muslim community). There are significant Christian, Hindu and Zoroastrian minority communities here as well.

Main ethnic groups: Sindhi; Mohajir; Punjabi; Pakhtun; Baloch; Sariki.

Political disposition: Progressive.

Social outlook: Moderate to liberal.

Sindhi’s gigantic capital city, Karachi. It is Pakistan’s largest city and main economic hub.
Sindhi’s gigantic capital city, Karachi. It is Pakistan’s largest city and main economic hub.

Karachi has a long coastline.
Karachi has a long coastline.

Girls playing street cricket in Karachi. (Pic: Fahim Siddiqui)
Girls playing street cricket in Karachi. (Pic: Fahim Siddiqui)

A licensed liquor store in Karachi. The government of Sindh earns revenues up to Rs 4 billion annually from these shops. These stores have also largely kept in check the proliferation of bootlegging mafias in Sindh who thrive in areas where there are no such shops.
A licensed liquor store in Karachi. The government of Sindh earns revenues up to Rs 4 billion annually from these shops. These stores have also largely kept in check the proliferation of bootlegging mafias in Sindh who thrive in areas where there are no such shops.

The marble mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi. Karachi was Jinnah’s birthplace.
The marble mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi. Karachi was Jinnah’s birthplace.

A church in Karachi.
A church in Karachi.

A Sufi shrine in Sindh’s second-largest city, Hyderabad.
A Sufi shrine in Sindh’s second-largest city, Hyderabad.

A ‘mango festival’ in the Sindh city of Mirpurkhas. (Pic: Kawish)
A ‘mango festival’ in the Sindh city of Mirpurkhas. (Pic: Kawish)

A Hindu temple in the Sindh city of Sukkar.
A Hindu temple in the Sindh city of Sukkar.

Dense forest near the Sindh cities of Dadu and Moro. These forests are often infested with highway bandits.
Dense forest near the Sindh cities of Dadu and Moro. These forests are often infested with highway bandits.

An oasis in Sindh’s Thar Desert. (Pic: PakWather)
An oasis in Sindh’s Thar Desert. (Pic: PakWather)

A village woman in Thar feeding a peacock. (Pic: Native Pakistan)
A village woman in Thar feeding a peacock. (Pic: Native Pakistan)

Devotees and pilgrims throng at the shrine of a famous Sufi saint in the Sindh city of Shewan.
Devotees and pilgrims throng at the shrine of a famous Sufi saint in the Sindh city of Shewan.

Women in traditional Sindhi dress.
Women in traditional Sindhi dress.

Chairperson of the left-liberal PPP, Bilawal Bhutto, at a party rally in the Sindh city of Larkana. The PPP has been Sindh’s largest political party since the 1970s.
Chairperson of the left-liberal PPP, Bilawal Bhutto, at a party rally in the Sindh city of Larkana. The PPP has been Sindh’s largest political party since the 1970s.

Bordering Iran and Afghanistan is the mountainous province of Balochistan.

Main industries: Coal; Natural Gas; Marble; Shipbreaking; Fisheries.

Literacy rate: 43%.

Main languages: Balochi; Pushtu; Barhui; Punjabi; Urdu.

Main faiths: Islam (mainly Sunni).

Main ethnic groups: Baloch; Pakhtun.

Political disposition: Moderate to progressive.

Social outlook: Conservative.

A mountain-top view of Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan. (Pic: Sadat Ali)
A mountain-top view of Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan. (Pic: Sadat Ali)

A train approaching the Quetta railway station. (Pic: Pakistan Affairs)
A train approaching the Quetta railway station. (Pic: Pakistan Affairs)

Balochistan’s Hingnol National Park. (Pic: Encyclopak)
Balochistan’s Hingnol National Park. (Pic: Encyclopak)

Children take a dip in a canal in the Balochistan city of Sibi. Sibi has the hottest summers in Pakistan. Temperatures can rise above 50c here.
Children take a dip in a canal in the Balochistan city of Sibi. Sibi has the hottest summers in Pakistan. Temperatures can rise above 50c here.

A mosque in Balochistan city of Turbat.
A mosque in Balochistan city of Turbat.

The Balochistan city of Ziarat.
The Balochistan city of Ziarat.

Balochistan’s port city Gwadar being developed with the help of China. (Pic: Husnain Amjad)
Balochistan’s port city Gwadar being developed with the help of China. (Pic: Husnain Amjad)

A Pakistani soldier stands on top of a hill in Gwadar. Parts of Balochistan have often been hit by a Baloch nationalist insurgency and also by violence from extremist groups. (Picture: The Guardian)
A Pakistani soldier stands on top of a hill in Gwadar. Parts of Balochistan have often been hit by a Baloch nationalist insurgency and also by violence from extremist groups. (Picture: The Guardian)

An ibex on a remote mountain of Balochistan.
An ibex on a remote mountain of Balochistan.

A rally of a Baloch nationalist party in Balochistan.
A rally of a Baloch nationalist party in Balochistan.

Stats from:

Pakistan Bureau of Statistics 1998 Census Report

Nadeem F. Paracha is a cultural critic and senior columnist for Dawn Newspaper and Dawn.com. He is also the author of two books on the social history of Pakistan, End of the Past and The Pakistan Anti-Hero.

He tweets @NadeemfParacha

Nadeem F. Paracha
Comments (195) Closed
SHarry Mann
Dec 22, 2016 11:48am
Very beautiful Country with many color no doubts. This Country should have been developed so far.
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junaid
Dec 22, 2016 11:56am
A nice little journey across Pakistan imaginatively . thanks NFP
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R.K Pathak
Dec 22, 2016 11:57am
Nice Pictures of Pakistan
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rajesh
Dec 22, 2016 12:00pm
Beautiful pics. Will never be able to visit though in my lifetime. Or atleast it seems so.
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Rajesh Agnihotri
Dec 22, 2016 12:03pm
A beautiful pictorial presentation of Pakistan.I believe it has one of the most beautiful places on earth.If wish peace returns to Pakistan to open up these areas to tourists from around the world including India.The day that happens,I am sure Bollywood film makers would rush to some of these areas to shoot their movies instead of going to Europe or America.
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aneeta
Dec 22, 2016 12:03pm
amazing job done!
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kings way
Dec 22, 2016 12:07pm
Very beautiful. To me, it looked like some developed western country. I was under the impression that Pakistan is a less developed, poor third world country.
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Pakistani
Dec 22, 2016 12:11pm
Overall very well laid down. However the writer missed on detailing the tribal area which is distinctly shown in the map and is not part of KPK. The AJK has also been missed. Also punjab has got substantial population of ethnic baloch tribes, specially in its southern areas of DG Khan, Rajan Pur and Multan. kindly ad these if possible. thanks
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cONCERNED CITIZEN
Dec 22, 2016 12:09pm
There is a huge potential for tourism, I am sure that tourists from across the world and neighbouring countries would make the beeline to Pakistan to get the glimpses of the beauty which is still unexplored and unspoilt.Simple Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Animesh
Dec 22, 2016 12:13pm
Amazing pictures. Pakistan is really beautiful. Want to visit these places one day.
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Maria
Dec 22, 2016 12:14pm
Immense rich in beauty and culture. This country deserves good leaders for sure!
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irfan farooqui
Dec 22, 2016 12:12pm
Brief but quite informative. Good work Paracha sahib.
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Jalbani Baloch
Dec 22, 2016 12:17pm
Very nice and informative piece of writing. Just to add, a large population speaking Sindhi language, lives in Balochistan, but this has not been mentioned. The areas include Lasbela and from Jacobabad to Sibi. In our Bolan, Sindhi is commonly spoken and understood.
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Naresh
Dec 22, 2016 12:24pm
Nice photos..! Can you post the details of FATA. Is that part of KP?
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WASEB
Dec 22, 2016 12:29pm
Wonderful ! Somewhat cherry-picked ! Few things about Waseb (southern part of Punjab): Potential, beauty and presentation of Waseb gets reduced when seen in overall Punjab's perspective (which is not NFP's fault of course). Only Derawar Fort and Houbara bustards can't show the full landscape of this region. Extreme poverty in south, shrines of Khawaja Farid (Kot Mithan), Shah Rukn-e-Alam (Multan) and Bibi Jindwaddi (Uch), Fort Munro hill station (D.G.Khan), historical buildings of Bahawalpur, overloaded passenger boats in Indus river and pictures of cotton-picking women etc could have better represented this part. Similarly, a significant Hindu community of Cholistan is not mentioned in the article.
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Zakir
Dec 22, 2016 12:31pm
Cool, i will visit there, will meet my friends(so far two) across border.
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Majid
Dec 22, 2016 12:32pm
Beautiful Journey. Thanks NFP & DAWN
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Bhushan Parimoo
Dec 22, 2016 12:34pm
Good job
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vasudevan
Dec 22, 2016 12:36pm
A colorful and highly informative journey through Pakistan. The country has everything going for it
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M S
Dec 22, 2016 12:44pm
Wonderful.
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ANTONY
Dec 22, 2016 12:46pm
Beautiful pics, I hope i get an opportunity to visit these places in my lifetime.
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Gourishankar
Dec 22, 2016 12:49pm
Let me tell with greatest possible respect to my Pakistani brethren you guys have been gifted with such a beautiful country but you are not so good bad at advertising yourselves.
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ABID ALI
Dec 22, 2016 12:52pm
faboulous yaar!!!!!
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IMTIAZ ALI KHAN
Dec 22, 2016 12:51pm
What a beautiful country Almighty gave us. Pakistan Zindabad! @Naresh No yaar it's separate from KP, mountain/valley/dry/green areas.
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Ahemd gorsi
Dec 22, 2016 01:03pm
Sohni dharti ALLAH rakhe kadam kadam abad.....!!!!!! Beautiful colors, Beautiful people, Beautiful land, Long live Pakistan..!!!!!
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ajay
Dec 22, 2016 01:02pm
Never thought Pakistan is so beautiful.
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Anees
Dec 22, 2016 01:07pm
An excellent tourism advert, there are few old pics though.
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azam khan
Dec 22, 2016 01:08pm
very good country but need to open for everybody.
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Liberals
Dec 22, 2016 01:10pm
Long Live Pakistan. Great Job!
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Ali
Dec 22, 2016 01:07pm
So proud of my country!
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Abid
Dec 22, 2016 01:15pm
@Rajesh Agnihotri Some Hollywood movies was being shooted in Pakistan. Recently i visited GB and found some Hollywood stars there for a movie shoot.
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Talha
Dec 22, 2016 01:22pm
Beautiful review.Long live pak inshallah
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Guru
Dec 22, 2016 01:21pm
Nadeem Saab, thank you for providing this view of Pakistan's beauty. Overall, as an Indian it makes me sad that there is so much to see and explore in Pakistan that will most likely be hidden fom us and the same goes for our brothers/sister across the border. It is unfortunate that the you forgot to mention about Nankana Sahib, birthplace of Guru Nanak. Founder of Sikhism. There are many gurudwaras in pakistan of immense significance. It would certainly have added to your cultural diversity thought.
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wellwisher
Dec 22, 2016 01:22pm
beautiful
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Talha
Dec 22, 2016 01:22pm
@kings way pak people may be poor in terms of money but we are not poor with hearts.
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Talha
Dec 22, 2016 01:23pm
@Pakistani tribal people and people of south punjab are in our hearts.
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kings way
Dec 22, 2016 01:25pm
Is this Pakistan?; Wow! Country is great. Only leaders are not good.
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The Me Again
Dec 22, 2016 01:27pm
Thank you NFP for the article that we can share with our friends to give them a quick overview of Pakistan.
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Careless Whispers
Dec 22, 2016 01:31pm
Nice, Big fan of ur's, this is something different from you.... loved it....
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ANIL
Dec 22, 2016 01:30pm
Simply beautiful!! I like smiley faces!!
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Talha
Dec 22, 2016 01:36pm
@ajay thanks ajay jee
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kings way
Dec 22, 2016 01:43pm
You can be proud of your country. Only thing is change your leaders, all of them.
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Karim
Dec 22, 2016 01:46pm
Brilliant work Sir Paracha
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stalele
Dec 22, 2016 01:49pm
Just WOW! Again, and yet another amazing piece in DAWN...Thanks for so much of beautiful photos and information...am sure there is much more that is not covered... but overall very very beautiful pictures..
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ind bihari
Dec 22, 2016 01:46pm
good
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Adivishnu
Dec 22, 2016 01:49pm
Excellent narration with images. Could get glimpses of Pakistan. Really some thing we are not aware of from other side of Pakistan. So colorful, seems to be there is lot of potential for tourism and it should have been more developed than current state.
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Dr. Kent B Huzen
Dec 22, 2016 01:49pm
What an amazingly wonderful country, must be a hot tourist destination. Pakistan Govt. or Tourism department should invite Hollywood to produce film here.
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Lalvaz
Dec 22, 2016 01:54pm
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and this article has so many splendid pictures. Really shows the diversity, the natural beauty, and such colourful people. Excellent article, really allowed me to get to know Pakistan a little better. Would love to visit Pakistan, especially Thatta and Karachi city. Thank you so much for this lovely article. God bless you.
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H. Khan
Dec 22, 2016 01:59pm
Beautiful country but it needs to go back to its liberal roots.
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sangun
Dec 22, 2016 02:17pm
Like the women in traditional sindhi dress
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VIJAY
Dec 22, 2016 02:20pm
Beautiful country full of colours.
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VLP
Dec 22, 2016 02:27pm
Very nice article .... A couple of things missed though.... Hazara community in Quetta... Saraiki in Dera Ismail Khan (KPK) and Potohari in Pindi Division... Overall informative...
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Vivek Amar
Dec 22, 2016 02:32pm
Lovely!!
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azeem usmani
Dec 22, 2016 02:41pm
. great work by writer!
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Dynamite
Dec 22, 2016 02:47pm
Awsome depiction of Pakistan...I think NFP should lead the way in promoting Tourism in Pakistan...this is the REAL image of Pakistan that the world should be seeing.
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yudh
Dec 22, 2016 02:47pm
I am from India. i love this place .
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Zubair
Dec 22, 2016 02:47pm
Being an overseas Pakistani, I am going to force all my colleagues to look at this page
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Helping Hands
Dec 22, 2016 02:58pm
NFP, you deserve a big, beary hug for this!
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aam admi
Dec 22, 2016 03:03pm
why you wanna destroy this beautiful land with fanatisizam.
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Tiku
Dec 22, 2016 03:07pm
Delightful pictures from Nadeem, as ever!
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Indian
Dec 22, 2016 03:17pm
Beautiful country.
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ASB
Dec 22, 2016 03:18pm
What a lovely country! Hope to visit one day! Best wishes!
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Ahmed
Dec 22, 2016 03:26pm
Thanks for sharing Sindhi Culture, though Ajrak and Sindhi cap is missing.
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mhAMZA
Dec 22, 2016 03:38pm
@Naresh FATA ia actually a tribal area, these tribes lived there for decades and thus on 1947 they choose to live with Pak but with their own identity. Nowadays, the talks are ongoing to either merge FATA with KPK or make it another province by taking into account the suggestions of tribe communities.
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Muti
Dec 22, 2016 03:54pm
Sitting abroad, this makes me miss Pakistan so much. Such peace to those eyes. Thanks NFP.
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SAM
Dec 22, 2016 04:00pm
Such a beautiful country, if peace exits between india & pakistan - i would definitely love to visit, especially the north and south..
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Singh
Dec 22, 2016 03:59pm
Excellent article showcasing pakistans diversity and all its splendour more such writing is much needed. It is a shame that politics continue to hinder prosperity and social development. Wish the nation a more peaceful and prosperous 2017.
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Naresh
Dec 22, 2016 04:05pm
@mhAMZA - Thank you..!
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true minds
Dec 22, 2016 04:12pm
It's beautiful. It is really change my perception of Pakistan as mostly crowded places and mostly conservative people.
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Khwarezmi
Dec 22, 2016 04:13pm
Great pictures! This is the best from Nadeem Paracha :)
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JAMIL SOOMRO, NEW YORK CITY
Dec 22, 2016 04:52pm
A beautiful journey of Pakistan through the eyes and mind of Mr.Nadeem Paracha.
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Ijaz
Dec 22, 2016 04:58pm
@Guru I agree, Nankana Sahib is one of the most important places in Pakistan
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Ash
Dec 22, 2016 04:57pm
very nice, beautiful land ...beautiful people, God bless
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kings way
Dec 22, 2016 05:06pm
I wish the country all the best.
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AHA
Dec 22, 2016 05:05pm
Very true.
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No1
Dec 22, 2016 05:06pm
diversity is gradually being flattened out.
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Mohsen
Dec 22, 2016 05:16pm
My Pakistan !!! Love this Blessed country.... Long Live Pakistan and Pakistanis... Love you all
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Dhaval
Dec 22, 2016 05:16pm
Hi. I am from India. What a beautiful depiction of Pakistan diversity.
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Prakash
Dec 22, 2016 05:21pm
Beautiful pictures...
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dr jaffar
Dec 22, 2016 05:33pm
Well-done. Excellent job done for bringing our beloved country more closer to our hearts. The more you explore, the more you love it. Long Live Beautiful Pakistan
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N.S Karachi
Dec 22, 2016 05:42pm
@VIJAY Check this thread with hundreds of pictures, and if you go to to main Pakistan thread 'Mehfil Pakistan' at the top, dozens more opens up about different parts of the country. http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=584077&page=201
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Upendra Deshpande
Dec 22, 2016 05:55pm
Wonderful ! Very creative and constructive article. Need of hour for Pakistanis.
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Inzy
Dec 22, 2016 06:13pm
Diversity is beautiful,
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Biswajit
Dec 22, 2016 06:22pm
Very colourful photos .. beautiful town , scenery and people . Excellent
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Moona
Dec 22, 2016 06:28pm
Good one.
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khakan
Dec 22, 2016 06:47pm
Thank you for the lovely journey through our beautiful country.
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Sridhar Raghunatha Rao
Dec 22, 2016 06:56pm
I have toured Pakistan to its entire length and breadth. Thanks for a nice photo article.
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Deepak sharma
Dec 22, 2016 07:06pm
Congrats Dawn, Great Job. Beautiful pics. I wish relations between India and Pakistan become friendly and people from both countries get the opportunity to explore beautiful places of both countries.
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Moneyisking
Dec 22, 2016 07:10pm
WOW !! So beautiful, scenic, and colorful.
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Pak
Dec 22, 2016 07:16pm
Pakistan is a gift from God. God bless Pakistan!
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Sukhi Sukh
Dec 22, 2016 07:15pm
After 15-20 minutes of read I know more about Pakiatan then I could have ever known.
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Fuad balluu
Dec 22, 2016 07:28pm
well journey to Pakistan the pure country i really get a lot of information about Pakistan and it's geography, people, culture and religion. well done and thank you.
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Human
Dec 22, 2016 07:33pm
Looks stunning, especially GB & KP. Hope to see these places someday. By the way, I'm from India
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Aftab
Dec 22, 2016 07:34pm
Sir, very nice and informative article. But you didn't touch the minor languages spoken in KP. You only mentioned three languages while there are more than 20 languages spoken in the north of KP. These smaller ethnic communities have their own unique languages and cultures. It would have been great if you had included these smaller ethnic communities too.
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deendayal
Dec 22, 2016 07:42pm
Fascinating photographs. Unknown facts of Pakistan revealed. With such a rich diversity, this nation can very well become an economic powerhouse of Asia. Congratulation Dawn.
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Nasir
Dec 22, 2016 07:51pm
Great Pictures of Pakistan !
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Solomon2
Dec 22, 2016 08:05pm
I especially liked the pictures of Gilgit-Baltistan. They make me want to visit!
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Balaji
Dec 22, 2016 08:07pm
Adorable!
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KAZIM REZA
Dec 22, 2016 08:24pm
Cricket playing girls of Karachi should have been placed in a more attractive location. Nonetheless, the photo -feature is wonderful! Imagination of Malala Yousufazai in a scenic beautiful spot of Swat , reflects a sharp mind of Dawn editors.Other can also recall the great old days ...Chalo... Dilwale Road to Swat!
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Udayan
Dec 22, 2016 08:27pm
Lovely pics, here's hoping peace returns so that we indians would come in such beautiful country.
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Ashok
Dec 22, 2016 08:35pm
Now I have developed a strong urge to visit Pakistan.Let somebody in your country sponsor my visit to get me a visa.
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Zack Khan - USA
Dec 22, 2016 08:46pm
@Gourishankar I cannot agree more!
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Dynamite
Dec 22, 2016 08:45pm
I would love to visit these places
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Abhishek
Dec 22, 2016 09:05pm
Beautiful pictures, will love to visit these tourist attractions, some of these attractions are shoulder to shoulder with Western countries. Hope our relations stabilize.
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KPK
Dec 22, 2016 09:18pm
Beautiful country beautiful people. Many ethnic groups but one Pakistan!!!
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Vijay B.
Dec 22, 2016 09:25pm
Beautiful article, superb pictures!
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RAJU THAKUR
Dec 22, 2016 09:48pm
Never know, Pakistan is such a beautiful country . :)
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KHIZIR FAROOQI
Dec 22, 2016 10:29pm
PAKISTAN HAS MANY HIGH CLASS TOURIST SPOTS WHICH MAY FETCH MUCH NEEDED VALUABLE FOREIGN EXCHANGE. IT WILL ATTRACT THE TOURISTS FROM EAST TO WEST IF THE AREA S ARE DEVELOPED A BIT WITH CONNECTING PROPER ROADS AND SUITABLE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES. THE DAWN & NADEEM F. PARACHA MUST BE CONGRATULATED FOR SUCCESSFULLY DEPICTING THE REAL PICTURE OF PAKISTAN.
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dgoy
Dec 22, 2016 10:31pm
Beautiful.. I hope that I get a chance to visit these places.
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Madan
Dec 22, 2016 10:32pm
Very beautiful pictures of Pakistan.Kudos to the author and his photographer.
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Gurmeet Singh
Dec 22, 2016 10:38pm
Indian Defence minister should see this before commenting. Worlfd famous Sikh Shrines have been ignored in the article.
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Zak
Dec 22, 2016 10:55pm
If foreign funded terrorists did not disrupt harmony, pakistan was most beautiful country to visit.
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udtha parinda
Dec 22, 2016 11:03pm
Makes me wanna go there. A welcome change from what we expat Indians see on the media. I just hope I get to see places like chitral and Skardu before it becomes too commercial
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Faisal R.
Dec 22, 2016 11:07pm
Pakistan - a paradise on earth waiting to be explored! https://plus.google.com/101172744180499639352
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Siva D
Dec 22, 2016 11:08pm
Very beautiful pictures and country. You are fortunate to have something so gorgeous.
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Ajay
Dec 22, 2016 11:26pm
Irony of the India-Pak border pic! Both border posts have quotes from Allama Iqbal. Nice pics by the way.
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Hemant
Dec 22, 2016 11:48pm
Great picture and details. As usual NFP has great knowledge of his country. To show diversity, you could have used some more type of Islam because it dos not look religiously diverse that I would expect specially keeping in mind the history of South Asia.
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Shahid Khan
Dec 23, 2016 12:14am
Thank you for your beautiful description of Pakistan!
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Saif
Dec 23, 2016 12:26am
There were some really good pictures, but I was really shocked to see that there were Only Two Lanes one way roads along the Gwadar Coast/Port. They need to be expanded to at-least Four Lanes each ways. In next 20 years this area is going to be the one of the most busy area of the country. We should think in terms of our future requirements. We are not building now another Anarkali or Empress Market.
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american_Desi
Dec 23, 2016 12:48am
Beautiful Pakistan, may you and your people thrive. Would love to visit some day. Regards from an Indian-American.
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Kabir
Dec 23, 2016 01:07am
Pakistan is not only very beautiful country in the world but it is also blessed with very productive land. Using modern agricultural techniques , it can feed to billions. Also it is where ancient civilization and education developed in Mohanjodaro and Takhishla university. May it should awaken from its deep sleep of blind faith and lead the world again.
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kris
Dec 23, 2016 01:12am
Some really beautiful pictures. Would love to visit GB one day.
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Beefeater
Dec 23, 2016 01:43am
"Nice one" from Mr. Paracha! ..Beautiful, stunning, amazing place.
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hajraaziz
Dec 23, 2016 01:44am
loved going through the article and reading all about our country. a
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ehsan
Dec 23, 2016 02:19am
this should be the headline news/ cover story for our news papers. World takes que from what we propagate about ourselves.
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Z.Asad
Dec 23, 2016 02:19am
My beautiful Pakistan.
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Qadir ali
Dec 23, 2016 02:34am
Proud to be a pakistani then Mohajir .
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Zubair Torwali
Dec 23, 2016 02:39am
I do not know if Dawn has blocked me but I often do not see my comments. If Dawn does not mind I see some basic information missing in this piece and some are written wrong. The pictures are great. They would have been greater if taken by the marvelous writer himself. I Nadeem Paracha is a friend and I hope he will some day make it to these areas, especially the Northwest Pakistan i.e. GB, AJK and the upper parts of KP.
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MANJU
Dec 23, 2016 02:52am
@GOURISHANKAR, I agree Advertising and Marketing was never a concept in the Subcontinent/Asian region unlike the western world.There is so much to see and do in India and Pakistan.No significance has been given in maintaining and promoting the historical sites by the governments. Very nice article, would love to visit pak within our lifetime. Imagine if we had peace, not hatred between the neighbor's...the amount of tourism revenue that would have generated would be significant. People need to rise above the religious mindset and hatred
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surrinder gill ADVOCATE
Dec 23, 2016 02:53am
Beautiful pictures of beautiful land. God bless you and progress with time. Come out of fanaticism and biased opinions. Once again all areas of Pakistan are gift of nature but I love my Punjab most. Jine lahore nahi vekhiya, oh jamia hi nahi. That is what will we Punjabis on east of wagha still believe. Long live my friends,
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surrinder gill ADVOCATE
Dec 23, 2016 02:56am
you should have also added pictures of some Sikh gurudwaras at nankana sahib, Lahore and pnja sahib at Hasan Abdal. It would have shown more of diversity in Pakistan.
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Fried Chillies
Dec 23, 2016 04:25am
Awesome. A camera, me and some good company can spend months exploring the beauty of Pakistan
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Malik
Dec 23, 2016 04:29am
@WASEB Annoying comments without any basis.
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Malik
Dec 23, 2016 04:29am
@Jalbani Baloch The topic is diversity not assimilation.
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Deepa
Dec 23, 2016 04:34am
Very nice. It sort of mirrors the diversity in India. The Sindhi dress resembles Rajasthani to me. The link to the article on front page had a picture of Punjabis but that pic is not included here. Nevertheless, a good article, keep it up.
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Naim Khan
Dec 23, 2016 05:16am
My country is very beautiful indeed, but we need a honest and patriotic leader, if people of Pakistan think before voting, I'm sure they can bring change in the country. I'm sorry to say we have to get rid of old political leaders and rulers.
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Baldev chandpuri
Dec 23, 2016 06:09am
lovely paradise should be open to all, to visit and savour gods creation .Thanks
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OSO
Dec 23, 2016 06:18am
Pakistan is beautiful.
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Rehana Kousar
Dec 23, 2016 06:39am
why education percentage is shown 61% in Punjab and 70% in Sindh. in actual it is opposite. Is not it?
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Farouq Omaro
Dec 23, 2016 06:54am
Nice
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Deshant Chopra
Dec 23, 2016 07:34am
A digital tour of Pakistan. Very lovely photographs and pictures. Love from India to all peace loving citizens of Pakistan.
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Alok Nandal
Dec 23, 2016 07:48am
Very beautiful!! I wish I could visit someday!!
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Tr
Dec 23, 2016 07:50am
100/100 for excellent photography. Never seen some of these beautiful places of my country even in photos before.
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Talha
Dec 23, 2016 08:24am
@Ashok i will also love to visit india
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Vb
Dec 23, 2016 09:06am
Beautiful pics
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DK PAMNANI
Dec 23, 2016 09:28am
Beautiful pictures
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Saad Riaz
Dec 23, 2016 09:29am
Awesome collection and information. Loved it!
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B.S.Brar
Dec 23, 2016 09:39am
You missed ...Great Saint Shree Gurunanak Devji,s Birth Place Nanakana Sahib...great miss
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v C BHUTANI
Dec 23, 2016 09:58am
Extremely beautiful places and people, painstakingly put together in photographs. Great.
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Rizwan
Dec 23, 2016 10:03am
Nice one indeed. I don't agree with the literacy rate shown for Sindh; its too low.
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need more
Dec 23, 2016 10:14am
We need more articles like this.
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abhishek
Dec 23, 2016 10:35am
No difference between Indian cities and pak cities. I love to visit pak and wanted to eat street food their.
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JUSTICE
Dec 23, 2016 10:55am
Thank for sharing great pictures of Pakistan.
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ajme
Dec 23, 2016 11:12am
We are lucky to have such a beautiful country we should look after it. I wish there is road from Kabul to Rangoon through India Pakistan and one can travel through without fear , I know it is a dream but u never know.
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Rafique
Dec 23, 2016 11:13am
Wake up all the political leaders of Pakistan lo0k what you have a piece of Heaven . Its time to get united now then ever.
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NAJEEB
Dec 23, 2016 11:19am
Very detailed and and exterminating article as always.
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RajasthanI
Dec 23, 2016 11:39am
Very very beautiful pics. Glad to see the beautiful side of Pakistan.
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RajasthanI
Dec 23, 2016 11:39am
Never thought that Pakistan is so beautiful. Amazed by the beauty of Pakistan.
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Kabeela Khan
Dec 23, 2016 11:50am
@Gourishankar Thats so right !
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hasan Bhally
Dec 23, 2016 02:26pm
Thanks for your excellent pictorial depiction of our great country.
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Nurul huda
Dec 23, 2016 03:39pm
This are very mind fresh pics.. I am not travelling all over the country (India), still i've seen so many beautiful places through movies or TV. But, we have very rare chance to see all over Pakistan. India & Pakistan are almost same but India's NE is very distinct & more look alike East Asian countries.
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aamir
Dec 23, 2016 04:03pm
I have showed to all my colleagues in email. Even one Indian said his country is dirty compared to our beautiful country. I sent his comment to all colleagues in email too :) Next year 200 foreign tourists from my Dubai office will come to visit for sure!!! Now all will love Pakistan and forget about India :)
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IMTIAZ ALI KHAN
Dec 23, 2016 04:12pm
@Gourishankar True and same can be said about India too, we both are the same. Love from Pakistan to you yaar.
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Murtaza
Dec 23, 2016 04:42pm
@Aamir. Are you mad? It's because of people like you that Pakistanis have such a poor reputation overseas. What a sick attitude. Why drag India into this? They have their beautiful spots and we have ours.
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Khalid syed
Dec 23, 2016 06:53pm
Very beautiful pictures of a beautiful country, but the people of Pakistan do not value it.
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Fahim
Dec 23, 2016 09:45pm
Very useful and interesting!
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Azhar Yousafzai
Dec 23, 2016 10:38pm
Wonderful as usual NFP ..
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Agha Ata
Dec 23, 2016 10:39pm
This kind of diversity is better understood if it is called our cultural symphony.
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Azhar Yousafzai
Dec 23, 2016 10:44pm
I really liked the pic of border crossing with verses from Iqbal by both sides. How both sides reflect own perspective
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Atif R Ibrahim
Dec 24, 2016 01:13am
Pakistan is a blessed country.
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HDI
Dec 24, 2016 01:26am
@Rajesh Agnihotri thank you for your kind comment. It is unfortunate though that the current Indian government has made things very, very difficult for the kind of ideas you have suggested. :(
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sana-1
Dec 24, 2016 03:05am
Woah man!! i'm speechless....again no wonder God has his hand on this country, even after suffering so much its like 'come n try me i'm still here'! May God always have such blessing for this country.
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shams
Dec 24, 2016 07:07am
Love the Article.....Very Informative even for a born pakistani....
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Luke
Dec 24, 2016 08:59am
very beautiful images! Thanks DAWN!
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Maria
Dec 24, 2016 11:23am
@Rajesh Agnihotri haha I hope that too
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Hassan Ashraf
Dec 24, 2016 11:47am
Thank you, NFP.
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Kanwal
Dec 24, 2016 12:25pm
Such a God Gifted Country, I fail to understand why do they want to destroy themselves and others in the name of Religion. They should stop worrying about the "Ummah" and do good to its own people first. God Bless you guys, please mend yourself.
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Chris Roberts
Dec 24, 2016 12:27pm
Pakistan is such a beautiful and fascinating place that must take pride in showcasing its cultural, religious and linguistic diversity, making it a place EVERYONE should be proud to call home. All those who were sons and daughters of the soil that is now Pakistan - including those of British origin who also have family members whose final resting place has forever bound them to this land - have played a role in its history and development. Hopefully things will settle down and progress will continue to be made with regard to cleanliness and hygiene because Pakistan can easily become a VERY attractive tourist destination.
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Wakas khan
Dec 24, 2016 01:58pm
i im living abroad and this pictorial visit take me right some of the places with good vibes..Thanks @MR.NadeemfParacha you have done a tremendous Job indeed. Bravo..
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BNJ
Dec 24, 2016 02:56pm
Nice pictorial journey !
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Lafanga
Dec 24, 2016 03:52pm
My beautiful Pakistan. May you live long and prosper.
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Niaz H. Jafri
Dec 24, 2016 04:43pm
Loved every bit of it. Keep writing dude and keep enlightening us.
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jkeshav
Dec 24, 2016 05:02pm
Lovely photos! Keep them coming!!
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DEBASISH SOM
Dec 24, 2016 05:24pm
A beautiful picture of Pakistan drwan by the author.Lovt o see the Pakistan,but may not be able to in my life.With love ...........May our two Country prosper like brother and sister
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Iftikhar Husain
Dec 24, 2016 05:42pm
Nice to see whole Pakistan in few minutes thanks for sharing.
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Zealot
Dec 24, 2016 07:07pm
Wonderful dawn.THANKS
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Ghulam abbad
Dec 24, 2016 07:54pm
There is a large population of persian speaking Hazaras, living in Balochistan that NFP has forgotten to mention.
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Munwar basha
Dec 24, 2016 08:15pm
Wonderful pictures. Thanks to Nadeem F. Paracha. You revealed the beauty of Pakistan. I am seeing such good images first time in DAWN.
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C. Mocha
Dec 24, 2016 08:52pm
Beautiful work....put together. Thanks !
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Shaukat
Dec 24, 2016 11:02pm
@WASEB , Thank God, you didn't tell him he overlooked your neighbourhood, he can't mention each and everything YOU wished. We all thought he did a wonderful job with extraordinary pictures and peoples, a praise should be given where its due, you look like a very negative person just relax and enjoy the beauty and diversity of our beautiful land.
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Habib Vora
Dec 25, 2016 12:27am
Nice article. This should generate tourism in Pakistan. Hope to visit and see the beauty someday.
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HUssEin
Dec 25, 2016 02:09am
Kudos to Nadeem bahia who for an enlightening article. Pakistan the beautiful full of beautiful people!!! I sincerely, wish the new year miraculously brings tolerance this beautiful land.
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PK
Dec 25, 2016 08:16am
The land of pure the beautiful!
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surender
Dec 25, 2016 11:16am
Beautiful and amazing pictures! Wish I could visit these places in my life time.
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surender
Dec 25, 2016 11:24am
@Naim Khan agree, but can be leave out politics aside and enjoy the pictures for the time being.
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