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

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).

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

Small Town Charm

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bakeries, banks, Butterfly Restaurant, commercial pocket, Defence Mall, Defence Park, DHA, Gloria Jean’s, Grand Trunk Road, grocery stores, haleem, Jameel Sweets, Jungle Restaurant, Milano Nights, multi-storey houses, nihari, Phase I, prestigious residential areas, Rawalpindi, roadside cafes, Soan River, tailoring shops, tikka boti, wajiha malik

Defence Park is a popular recreation spot

Located at the banks of the Soan River and accessible via Grand Trunk Road, Phase I, DHA has evolved into one of Rawalpindi’s most upmarket residential enclaves.

Safe and serene… Phase I is a secure and serene neighbourhood, far removed from the bustling city life of Rawalpindi. It is dotted with sprawling, multi-storey houses, with wide, tree-lined roads that ensure that traffic jams are next to nonexistent.

Ramazan Bazaars

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2Ramazan Bazaars, Bahadurabad, bangles, Cantonment Board, Clifton, clothes, commercial hubs, crockery, DHA, electricity, F-10 Markaz, F-7, fibre-glass stalls, food stalls, Fun and Festivity Bazaars, Gulberg, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, henna, household goods, janitorial services, KMC, Liberty, LMC, NOC, North Nazimabad, parking lots, permission license, Ramazan, Saddar, security, shoes, spices, sports grounds, stalls, Tariq Road, temporary bazaars, Uzma Nawaz, vacant plots, valet parking, Weekly Bazaars

During Ramazan, a slew of temporary bazaars crop up across Pakistan. Most of these temporary bazaars are established in vacant plots, parking lots and sports grounds, and are usually located in commercial hubs that are accessible via major thoroughfares.

A permission license and an NOC are required from the local authorities (such as KMC, LMC, DHA, Cantonment Board etc) before setting up these bazaars. The areas where most of them are set up include Bahadurabad, Clifton, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, North Nazimabad, Saddar and Tariq Road (Karachi); DHA, Gulberg and Liberty (Lahore); and F-7 and F-10 Markaz (Islamabad).

Upmarket Living

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2013, art enthusiasts, art gallery, ‘food court’, bakeries, cafes, Centaurus, cinema, clothing boutique, coffee, desserts, expatriates, F-8 Markaz, fashionistas, fitness centres, foodies, grocery stores, hospitals, Islamabad, Margalla Hills, multinational, parks, Patio Lounge, prime, restaurant, salons, schools, Sector F-8, sheeshas, spas, tailoring shops, Tehzeeb, Urban Lounge

Sector F-8 is one of Islamabad’s most upscale residential areas

Home to a significant number of expatriates, Sector F-8 is located at the foothills of the scenic Margalla Hills and is one of Islamabad’s oldest and most expensive areas.

An ideal neighbourhood… Sector F-8 is one of Islamabad’s most coveted areas, and for good reason.Wide,       tree-lined roads meander throughout the neighbourhood, interspersed by spacious, rambling houses that have stood there for decades, not to mention a significant number of parks and reputable schools and hospitals.

Greenery, Fun And Food

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acacia nilotica, Arsalan Khan, Ayub National Park, barbeques, Ferris wheel, Flowers, Fun Zone, grocery stores, GT Road, Gulistan Colony, handis, haunted house, Jinnah Park, Jungle World, karahis, lake, lawns, Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi Golf Club, Relish Restaurant, retail outlets, skating rink, zoo

The Ferris wheel – just one of the Fun Zone’s many attractions

Located on GT Road, Ayub National Park is spread over 2,000 acres and is one of Rawalpindi’s most popular recreational spots.

The lake in Ayub Park is shaded by acacia nilotica trees

Inside the park… Ayub National Park is well worth a visit, especially at this time of the year. Paths meander through lush green lawns, aflame with flowers of every possible colour; many lead to the artificial lake, which is partially shaded by acacia nilotica trees. Boat rides are a popular activity; families also have barbeques by the lakeside, or take a leisurely stroll.

All Aboard!

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1882, 2002, Afghans, apartment complexes, Arsalan Khan, Buddhist civilisation, close-knit, colonial-style, community, crockery, devotees, Golra, Golra Sharif, Greeks, Havelian, houses, Kohat, Maharaja of Jodhpur, midrange, modernity, Mughals, navigation equipment, pendulums, Persians, Peshawar, railway bogies, railway junction, Railways Heritage Museum, Rawalpindi, residential area, Safari Train, Sector E11, signal lamps, Sikhs, steam engines, Sufi, Taxila, urban sprawl, urs, Viceroy Lord Mountbatten, wall clocks, watches, White Huns

The Golra Mosque is located within the compound of Golra Sharif

A century ago, Golra was a small village on the outskirts of Rawalpindi. Well-known as an important railway junction and the birth place and last abode of the Sufi mystic, his shrine – called Golra Sharif – attracts thousands of devotees.

A junction in history… Located near the ancient Buddhist civilisation of Taxila, Golra is strewn with splendid archaeological examples of art and artifacts. Historians believe the area to have historical and cultural significance as several foreign armies – including the Greeks, Persians, Afghans, White Huns, Mughals, Sikhs and British – passed through it over the centuries, each leaving their influence and impact.

Serenity Amongst An Urban Sprawl

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The Parsi Temple was built in 1898 by a Parsi merchant family

Nauroz, the day that marks the beginning of the Persian Calendar’s New Year, will be celebrated on March 21, primarily by Iranis and Parsis. On this day, Parsis attend special prayers at their temples, after which they celebrate with fervour – and good food. This year, like those before it, the small yet impressive agyari (fire temple) in Rawalpindi will be frequented by the city’s Parsi community.

Rawalpindi’s one and only fire temple… This is Rawalpindi’s only Parsi temple, and is located near a bustling commercial pocket on Murree Road, one of Rawalpindi’s primary thoroughfares. Built in 1898 by a Parsi merchant family, this single-storey structure is pale peach in colour and has white doors. It is located in a compound with plenty of trees; a well-planned graveyard is located within the compound.

Romantic Forests In Bhurban

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apartment complexes, aromatic, B Khan, bakery, bank, barber’s shop, Bhurban, birds, blacksmithshop, blue magpie, blue-throated, boars, boots, buzzards, commercialisation, deciduous, desi, dhaaba, earth, emerald green, fir cones, forests, fox, fresh milk, fruits, Growing, hawks, Hiking, Himalayan barbets, holiday homes, household, houses, housing, Kashmiri, Kashmiri Bazaar, leopard, monkeys, Pearl Continental Hotel, pied woodpeckers, pine trees, popular, porcupine, prices, resinous, romantic walk, russet, shops, spoors, spruce, tourists, upscale dining, vegetables, wild flowers, wildlife, yellow-billed, yoghurt

View of Azad Kashmir from the top of the Bhurban ridge

With endless miles of stunning forests still managing to cling to life in the otherwise over-exploited Bhurban, putting on your walking boots and taking off for a romantic walk, on marked hiking tracks, is a wonderful way of escaping the world. These stately, incredibly dense forests are, in some places, composed of nothing but magically aromatic pine trees ornamented with resinous fir cones, and in others, are a mixture of pine, spruce, and deciduous trees with wild flowers rambling and growing in the rich earth.