This picture is a representation of a typical snack shop that is found in Karachi, Pakistan. This particular vendor sells a variety of foods used by Pakistanis for snacking. Among the various things found here are jalebi, nimco, and biscuts. These are just a few examples of my favorite munchies sold at a shop like this. I visited shops like these when I was in Karachi last summer. This picture is a good representation of what a typical food stall found in Karachi is like. A stall like this is where people go when they have many or as few people over visiting for tea in the evening.
An abundance of color can be found at this vendor's stall. He is selling various fabrics and crafts that make the many different decoration pieces found in Pakistan. This particular stall happens to be in the middle of a busy bazaar in Karachi. The Pakistani people are very particular about having everything matching when it comes to apparel, accessories, and decorations. The exact matches to a variety of bright and vibrant colors can easily found in a market as illustrated above. These textiles and crafts are popular with the local people and tourists. Pakistan is one of the countries which exports many of its hand goods overseas.
One of the yearly events that takes place in Islamabad is the Pakistan Day Parade. This is a day that the Pakistani people rejoice the victory over India in 1947. The Pakistani people are very open to showng their feelings about the pride they hold for their country. On Pakistan day people decorate their house with flags and lights to express their patriotism.
This picture is a representation of how the west perceives the east. A typical image in the minds of most people not too familiar with the culture of the Indian Subcontinent. This picture however, does portray a way of life for some of the lower class people in Pakistan. These snake charmers, often found in tourist areas, support their families by this means. Many of the people that watch these performances are often tourists from the west.
The major city of Karachi is the port for access to the Arabian Sea. The beach that most people of Karachi and tourists go to is called Clifton beach. This beach has a variety of activities for a family to do when spending a day here. These activities are solicited by the local people. The activities include beachside camelback rides, horseback rides, snake charmers, amusement parks, restaurants, or just a plain old dip in the sea. Aside from a fun day at the beach; Karachi is the main port for Pakistan's fishing industry.
Swat is a well known nature preserve area. It an area located between the capital city of Islamabad and the city of Rawalpindi. This area has the center very commercialized. Most of the hotels are built on the Indus River. The Indus River is a major lifeline for Pakistan. It serves the many irrigation and fishing needs starting in north Pakistan empting at the south of the country. The region of Swat attracts many tourists, especially during the summer.
The Khyber Pass is a well-known trade route found in the North-West Frontier Province. This pass is, as can be guessed, an opening between two mountains. This is probably the most direct route between Peshawar and Kabul. In order to gain access to travel on this path, one must get appropiate approval from the right officials. Even the UN diplomats must get approval. On the ends of the pass Afghani refugee camps can be found. Pathani villages also are scattered around the pass, these are the people that guard the pass.
The Karakoram Mountains have the second highest peak in the world. This mountain is called K-2 and is found in northeastern Pakistan on the Chinese border. This towering peak stands at the altitude of 28,250 feet. K-2 is set on a granite base with limestone and ice making up the remaining portion of the mountain. The unusual name for this mountain can be understood when one realizes that the "K" stands for Karakoram range and the "2" represents the number of the mountain in the range. This mountain was first surveyed in 1909 but not climbed until 1954.
This monument holds a place dear to the heart of many Pakistanis. This is the tomb of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azim. His name is actually Mohammed Ali Jinnah but the Pakistanis refer to him as Quaid-e-Azim as a form of respect. This tomb is in the heart of Karachi. Many people go here to pay their respects for their former leader. Pakistani people in general hold a place in their heart dear for this great leader.
Faisal Masjid is a mosque that Muslims use to do worship. This building is a major tourist attraction in Islamabad due to its enormous size. This mosque is the largest one to be found in the world. It can hold up to 15,000 worshipers inside the building itself and another 85,000 in the courtyard.
This uniquely constructed structure represents Pakistan. This is where the first meeting to form the Muslim Republic of Pakistan was held. As oral history holds it Quaid-e-Azim, the founder of Pakistan, met with the Muslim League Party of British India and passed the resolution to form Pakistan. This monument can be found in the heart of Lahore. Many people from around Pakistan and the world come to see where the dream for the country of Pakistan was first envisioned.
This mosque is a representation of the Mogul Empire architecture. This mosque was built in 1674 by Emperor Aurangzeb. The Badshai Masjid was built 30 years after the other great Mogul mosques in Agra and Delhi. This is also, as the Faisal Masjid, a place of worship for the followers of the Islamic faith.
Submitted by Fariha Ahmed on December 9, 1998.