Empowering Women With Education

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Civil Lines, Civil Lines Rawalpindi, Fatima Jinnah, Fatima Jinnah Women University, International Women's Day

Fatima Jinnah Women University was established in 1998

International Women’s Day will be celebrated on March 8, so this may be an ideal time to learn more about Rawalpindi’s Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) – the first university dedicated solely to educating women in Pakistan. (Incidentally, the first college for women was APWA, which came into being in Karachi in 1949).

History and education… FJWU was established in 1998. Since its inception, thousands of women from across Pakistan have been educated there and have pursued Masters and PhD programmes. The campus building is an imposing white, with impressive columns and turrets. It also has an interesting history as it was constructed as a residence by two Sikh brothers Mohan and Sohan Singh (most likely prior to Partition given the Victorian influenced architecture), and in the early 1960s it served as the Presidency of Pakistan.

Serenity in Civil Lines… A five-minute drive away from FJWU is Civil Lines – an elite residential neighbourhood established during the British Raj to serve as the residence of civil officers (this is how it got its name). Today, Civil Lines is considered to be one of Rawalpindi’s most upscale neighbourhoods, with large houses, well maintained parks, mosques and a few grocery stores; it remains peaceful thanks to minimal commercialisation. Consequently, shopping and dining avenues there are next to non-existent; however, plenty of options are located within a 10-minute drive, and include Diva Restaurant, Pappasallis, Pearl Continental Hotel, Usmania Restaurant and McDonald’s. Saddar Bazaar is also located in proximity, as is Jinnah Park, which also has a movie theatre.

The real estate take… Classified as a premium residential area, property options in Civil Lines are largely limited to large houses constructed on 500, 1,000 and 4,000 square yard plots. Property is in high demand; prices and rentals have increased by 40% in the last two years and are among the highest in Rawalpindi.

In a nutshell… This part of Rawalpindi is, for the most part, quiet, serene and green, and the presence of the prominent white building that houses FJWU adds to its appeal.

– Nimrah Butt

Photograph courtesy: FJWU

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A Testament To Pakistan’s Regal Past

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Akbar, Akbari Serai, Jehangir, Jehangir’s Tomb, Ladli Begum Asif Khan, Mughal buildings in Lahore, Nur Jehan, Royal Pathway, Shahdara, Shahdara Bagh

Connected to Lahore’s city centre via Ring Road, Shahdara – or the Royal Pathway – is a suburban neighbourhood located on the northern banks of River Ravi. During the Mughal rule, it served as the entrance to Lahore.

Emperor Jehangir’s tomb is built with red sandstone

The resting place of the royals… Historical landmarks continue to stand tall in Shahdara, the most well-known of which is Emperor Jehangir’s Tomb. Its exterior is adorned with mosaic, red sandstone and decorative marble. You can enter it through impressive stone gateways that are embellished with frescoes and ghalib kari , which lead into a square enclosure, the iconic Akbari Serai (Palace of Akbar). To its west is the red sandstone mausoleum of Empress Nur Jehan with a cenotaph of Ladli Begum, her daughter. The tomb of Asif Khan, Noor Jehan’s brother, is also located there; it is an octagonal brick structure layered with and blue tiles.

Akbari Serai is located within Shahdara Bagh

Even more attractions… In addition to the aforementioned structures, Shahdara is also home to Kamran ki Baradari, a summer pavilion built by Kamran Mirza, son of Emperor Babur; it has two-storeys and 12 columns with arched balconies. Remember, a sight-seeing trip to Shahdara is never quite complete without partaking signature Mughlai dishes such as malai tikkas, murgh cholas, pulao and haleem at one of the many eateries there.

The Shahdara Bagh Junction is a crucial connecting point

A touch of modernity… Over the years, modern utilities and amenities have made life convenient for residents. These include quality educational institutes, healthcare facilities, shopping malls, sports complexes and plenty of green spaces. Furthermore, the construction of two railway stations – Shahdara Bagh and Shahdara Town – ensures improved connectivity to the rest of Punjab.

The real estate take… Primarily a residential area, property options in Shahdara are limited to small houses, constructed decades ago. Commercial property options include standalone shops and makeshift pavement stalls. Due to its distance from the main city, demand and prices of property have remained relatively stable over the years.

In a nutshell… Despite the hints of modernity in the form of well-developed road networks and infrastructural developments, Shahdara remains one of the most prominent reminders of Pakistan’s regal, historic past. n

– Moneeza Burney

First published in the DAWN National Weekend Advertiser on August 14, 2016.

A Testament To Diversity

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Holi, MA Jinnah Road, Mama Parsi Girls High School, Nauroze, Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, the shrine of Baba Alam Shah Bukhari

Mama Parsi Girls High School

A small stretch of M.A. Jinnah Road, extending between Yakub Khan Road and Preedy Street, is definitely worth exploring. It is home to several landmarks that epitomise Karachi’s rich cultural diversity – all the more relevant given that Nauroze (Parsi New Year) will be celebrated tomorrow, and three days later, on March 23, Pakistan Day and Holi.

The shrine of Baba Alam Shah Bukhari

Diverse landmarks… This strip is home to several striking landmarks that will surely catch your eye. These include Mama Parsi Girls High School, named after a Parsi philanthropist, Seth Khan Bahadur Ardeshir H. Mama, and established by Jamshed Nusserwanji Mehta, a friend of Mr Jinnah and the first mayor of Karachi. Nearby are two Hindu temples (Ramchandra and Shri Swaminarayan Mandir), the shrine of Baba Alam Shah Bukhari, a revered Sufi saint, as well as an Eid Gah and imambargah.

The Ramchandra Temple

Hunt for bargains… If you stop at Gul Plaza, you will find kitchenware, homeware, furniture and toys at wholesale prices. Jama Cloth Centre and Mehboob Cloth Market is where you can source a wide variety of ready-to-wear clothing and fabric; these old-fashioned bazaars, despite the prevailing mall culture, remain the go-to places for many people looking for quality clothing at affordable prices.

The best Pakistani food… In between shopping – and sightseeing – indulge at two of Karachi’s legendary eateries: Al-Hajj Bundoo Khan and Sabri Nihari. For a quick snack, stop at Dilpasand Sweets, or one of the many roadside cafés there.

The real estate take… Commercial property options include standalone shops as well as retail and office space, and are in high demand. The area is completely built-up and vacant plots are not available. Property prices and rentals increase annually by an estimated seven and 10% respectively.

In a nutshell… With historic landmarks that stand as a testament to Karachi’s rich cultural heritage, not to mention some of the city’s best shopping and dining avenues, a trip to this part of M.A. Jinnah Road is an absolute must. n

– Sadia Kamran

Photos: Tahir Jamal/White Star

Celebrating Valentine’s Day

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Celebrate Valentine's Day in Karachi, Hilal Park, Phase VI DHA KARACHI, restaurants in Karachi

Trendy restaurants

If you are thinking about celebrating Valentine’s Day and live in Karachi, consider heading to Phase VI, DHA.

See and be seen… Phase VI is home to several well-known commercial hotspots, including Bukhari, Rahat, Seher and Shahbaz commercial areas, where many of Karachi’s trendy restaurants, coffee shops and chai dhaabas are located. There are also plenty of spas where you can indulge yourself, not to mention gift shops, book and home stores, as well as bakeries and florists where you can find the perfect present for your Valentine.

Relax and unwind… If you are a nature lover or looking for a quiet, relaxing evening under the stars, Hilal Park is the place to go. Possibly one of Karachi’s best landscaped Parks, it stretches over a hillock and boasts of manicured gardens, walking tracks, a play-area and an abundance of greenery, making it a perfect spot for relaxation or a picnic.

Karachi’s Marble Market

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black, buying marble in Karachi, Ceramic tiles, Fatima Zehra Park, gold, granite, Indus gold, Karachi’s Marble Market, Mangophir Road, marble, Marble Market, motiffed tiles, onyx, porcelain tiles, Sir Syed Girls College, Syed Atif Barelvi Road, tervera, tippi, Usmania College, verona

Marble handicrafts

If you drive down Syed Atif Barelvi Road, past Sir Syed Girls College and Usmania College and turn left on to Mangophir Road, you will be assaulted by dust, fumes and noise from grinding and polishing machines. This is Karachi’s Marble Market – packed with shops selling onyx, marble and granite that line the kitchens, driveways and homes of both the well heeled and the middle income residents of the city.

Marble Market – packed with shops selling onyx, granite and marble

Commercial transformation… Old residents of the area say that the Market was initially a cottage industry with dealers selling marble out of their homes. Over the years, these homes were transformed into shops and hence the market emerged. Large slabs of uncut stone including Indus gold, black and gold, verona, tervera, tippi and countless other varieties of marble and granite now lie outside the shops, waiting to be cut and polished.

Motiffed marble tiles

Marble, motifs and greenery… Besides marble, the Market also houses shops that stock ceramic and porcelain tiles and stunning tile motifs, sold at a fraction of the price than in the more up market shops on 26th Street in Defence; you can also find hardware shops dealing in kitchen and bathroom accessories such as sinks and faucets, as well those selling marble handicrafts. For a quick bite, stop at one of the many eateries there, followed by a stroll at the lush green Fatima Zehra Park.

The verdant Fatima Zehra Park

The real estate take… Marble Market is completely built-up and vacant plots are therefore no longer available. Commercial property options are restricted to standalone shops; property is in high demand. Property prices and rentals increase are among the highest in Karachi and increase by seven to 10% every year

Symbols Of Independence

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Allama Iqbal, Arif Masood, Fatima Jinnah, Independence Day, Islamabad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Liaquat Ali Khan, Lok Virsa Museum, Mahatma Gandhi, Mr Jinnah, Pakistan Monument, Sector G-7, Shakarparian Hills, The Heritage Library, Virsa Café

Mr Jinnah’s words are inscribed on the Pakistan Monument

Every year on Independence Day (August 14), the Pakistani flag is hoisted at the Pakistan Monument, which stands in the centre of one of Islamabad’s largest parks (also known as the Pakistan Monument), overlooking the picturesque Shakarparian Hills.

An important landmark… The Monument was designed by Arif Masood and completed in 2007. Made of granite, it is shaped like a flower with four large petals (representing the four provinces of Pakistan) and three smaller ones (which represent the three territories). If you are lucky enough to view it from above, the monument will appear as a crescent and star that characterises the Pakistani flag. Several inscriptions adorn the Monument, the most prominent one of which are   Mr Jinnah’s words: “Unity, faith and discipline.”

Waxworks at the Lok Virsa Museum

Out and about… Located nearby is the Lok Virsa Museum which provides a compelling glimpse into Pakistan’s history via with several impressive exhibits. The most noteworthy of these are perhaps the waxworks of prominent people that led the Independence Movement (including Mr Jinnah, Fatima Jinnah, Allama Iqbal, Liaquat Ali Khan, Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi).

Eid Shopping At H-Block Market

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Eid, H-Block Market, Lahore, Syed Wajeeh-ul-Hassan Naqvi

Plenty of restaurants

If you live in Lahore and are thinking about venturing out for a shopping marathon for Eid, or a casual evening during the last days of Ramazan, consider heading to H-Block Market, located on Khayaban-e-Jinnah.

Eid shopping at its best… Several high-end retail stores are located in H-Block Market and you can source most Eid essentials there, be they fabrics, shoes or accessories. If you are looking for a tailor, or someone to embroider intricate patterns on your clothes to give them that Eid oomph, the Market also houses several embroidery and tailoring shops. There are also home stores where you can find the accessories you need to add a little pizzazz to your home, be they lighting fixtures, decorations or colourful cushions. While there, take the opportunity to stock up on groceries at one of the supermarkets.

Fixtures for your home

Casual dining from the East and West… Over the last five years, the Market’s culinary range has expanded significantly with several eateries catering to both the desi and angrez in you and includes kababs, tikkas and shawarmas or burgers and fried chicken. Top off your meal with a few cupcakes at Frosted Fantasies, a trendy little bakery that has opened recently. If it is a fine-dining experience that you seek, MM Alam Road’s high-end restaurants are a short drive away.

Shoe and clothes shopping

The real estate take… Due to a prime location in Lahore’s upscale DHA, commercial property in
H-Block market is in high demand. Property options include standalone shops and retail space in low-rise buildings.  Prices increase by 20 to 25% every year and rentals by 20 to 30%. The area is completely built-up.

A good meal

In the nutshell… Thanks to an increasing number of shopping and dining options, H-Block Market is one of Lahore’s popular shopping and dining
go-to places.

– Syed Wajeeh ul Hassan Naqvi

Greenery And Wildlife

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Islamabad Highway, Korang River, Korang Shopping Centre, Korang Town, Korang Town Market, Lohi Bhair Wildlife Park, Muhammad Waqas Ali Saif, Rawalpindi, Taha Shopping Mall

The Korang River as it passes through the Lohi Bhair Wildlife Park

The last decade has witnessed Korang Town’s evolution from a quaint residential area into one of the most well developed and green neighbourhoods in the twin cities.

Korang Town is one of Rawalpindi’s greenest neighbourhoods

A picturesque neighbourhood… Located on the picturesque banks of the Korang River and far from the bustle of city life, Korang Town, with its tree-lined roads and houses with terraced gardens, offers the perfect mix of peaceful living, while allowing residents easy access to Rawalpindi’s city centre via the Islamabad Highway. If you stroll around the neighbourhood, you will find several play areas for children, as well as paved walking and jogging tracks to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Peacocks enjoying their natural habitat

Curtain Call For Nishat Cinema

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Doli, Fatima Jinnah, Gul Plaza, Inayat Hussain, M.A. Jinnah Road, MA Jinnah Road, Nishat Cinema, Rajesh Khanna, Saddar, Shehri Babu

Nishat Cinema in all its glory (c. 1950)

Located on M.A Jinnah Road, Nishat Cinema was Pakistan’s first movie theatre, and despite facing competition from cinemas that were established later, including the nearby, Bambino, Capri and Prince, which boasted 70 mm screens and plush interiors, it continued to entertain crowds for almost six decades. Unfortunately, Nishat Cinema was burnt down during a protest in 2012 and two weeks ago, any hope of its restoration were dashed when it was put on sale.

Charred remains of Nishat Cinema

It’s show time… According to its Director, Nawab Hasan Siddiq, Nishat Cinema was inaugurated by Fatima Jinnah in 1947. People who went there regularly recall queuing for hours outside to buy tickets for blockbusters including Shehri Babu and Doli (starring Rajesh Khanna and Inayat Hussain Bhatti respectively) in the 1950s. They vividly remember the hushed silence as the lights dimmed and the films began, as well as singing along to the songs of these films.

Out and about… Several high-end malls such as Gul Plaza and Star City Mall have cropped up recently near Nishat Cinema, replacing old-fashioned, wholesale bazaars. Several of Karachi’s oldest healthcare institutions, including the Taj Medical Complex, OMI and 7 Day Hospital, that have treated people for generations, are also located nearby. Foodie options are restricted to roadside cafes offering doodh patti and parathas, or fast food at the malls’ food courts.

Home accessories at Gul Plaza

The real estate take… Commercial property options in this part of M.A Jinnah Road include standalone shops as well as retail space in low- and high-rise buildings (the latter have been established recently). Property prices and rentals have increased by approximately 45 and 50% in the last three years; property is in high demand. Residential property options are limited to apartments.

Celebrating Pakistan Day

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Badshahi Mosque, Circular Road, Lahore Food Street, Lahore’s Walled City, Pakistan Day, Pakistan Day in Lahore, Pakistan Day Parade, Ranjit Singh’s tomb, Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara, Sikh temple

The Gurdwara’s dome seen in juxtaposition with the minaret of the Badshahi Mosque

Pakistan Day will be observed tomorrow and as part of the celebrations, parades will be held throughout the country. In Lahore, one of the most colourful parades will pass through Circular Road, where many of the city’s best known historic landmarks are located.

Old city life… In addition to tourist attractions such as Allama Iqbal’s tomb, Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort and Minar-e-Pakistan (where the Lahore Resolution was passed), several havelis line Circular Road. Lesser known attractions include the tomb of Hafiz Jalandhri, the renowned poet and writer (who wrote Pakistan’s national anthem) and the Dehra Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara – a Sikh temple that houses Ranjit Singh’s tomb.

The Badshahi Mosque was built in 1673

 

Devotees entering the Dehra Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara

The famous 13… Many of the 13 gates that lead to Lahore’s Walled City are on Circular Road. These include Delhi, Lahori, Mochi and Shah Alam. While they no longer exhibit their past glory, they are integral to Lahore’s rich cultural heritage. Several of Lahore’s popular bazaars are located nearby, where myriad items, including handicrafts, dried fruit, kites, chappals and fireworks can be sourced. The new revamped Food Street is a major attraction; foodie treats include halwa puri, naan kahtai, nihari, payas and sweetmeats.