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Friday, June 1, 2012

Tourism in Pakistan




Tourism in Pakistan has been stated as being the tourism industry's next big thing. Pakistan with its diverse cultures, people and landscapes has attracted 0.7 million tourists to the country. Almost double to that of a decade ago.
The country's attraction range from the ruin of civilization such as Mohenjo-daro, Harappa and Taxila, to the Himalayan hill stations, which attract those interested in winter sports. Pakistan is home to several mountain peaks over 7000m, which attracts adventurers and mountaineers from around the world, especially K2. The north part of Pakistan has many old fortresses, ancient architecture and the Hunza and Chitral valley, home to small pre-Islamic Animist Kalasha community claiming descent from Alexander the Great. The romances of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is timeless and legend. Punjab province has the site of Alexander's battle on the Jhelum River and the historic city Lahore, Pakistan's cultural capital, with many examples of Mughal architecture such as Badshahi Masjid, Shalimar Gardens, Tomb of Jahangir and the Lahore Fort. Before the Global economic crisis Pakistan received more than 500,000 tourists annually.
In October 2006, just one year after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, The Guardian released what it described as "The top five tourist sites in Pakistan" in order to help the country's tourism industry. The five sites included Taxila, Lahore, The Karakoram Highway, Karimabad and Lake Saiful Muluk. To promote Pakistan's unique and various cultural heritage, the Prime Minister launched the "Visit Pakistan" marketing campaign in 2007. This campaign involved various events throughout the year including fairs and religious festivals, regional sporting events, various arts and craft shows, folk festivals and several openings of historical museums.
In 2009, The World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report ranked Pakistan as one of the top 25% tourist destinations for its World Heritage sites. Ranging from mangroves in the South, to the 5,000-year-old cities of the Indus Valley Civilization which included Mohenjo-daro and Harappa.
July 2010 floods that made around 22 million people homeless in Pakistan also collapsed Tourism Industry in the country that was already becoming fragile due to bad law and order situation in the country. Swat Valley that geared up domestic tourism after a lull 2 years due to terrorism again faced total disaster due to heavy rainfalls and floods. Around 101 hotels on the bank of Swat River flushed out in floods because these hotels were constructed on the bank of the river against the law of nature and law of land. Around 277 people including 6 domestic tourist lost their lives in Swat valley. Thousands of tourists were stranded in Kalam and Bahrain areas affected by the devastating rain-triggered floods. There was no electricity in the entire district for 14 days and no road network left to evacuate tourists therefore Pakistan Army provided helicopters to airlift them to Islamabad. . All business activities and factories are lying closed in Swat.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani visited Swat valley to examine the flood situation and directed authorities to ensure adequate food supply for flood victims and improved communication links. The Prime Minister stressed for proper connectivity of Swat valley with other parts of the country and directed the Minister for Communications to ensure early restoration of roads and bridges so as to ensure unhindered provision of relief material.
Kalam in Khybar Pakhtunkhawa Pakistan, was a popular tourist destination famous for its terrain, view and natural beauty. The worst flood in memory has wreaked havoc to the tourist facilities and left locals wandering about their future. There were only two sources of income of Kalam. One is agriculture and other is tourism, both are destroyed and seriously affected,said a resident. Kalam had some four hundred hotels and restaurants before the floods. Dozens of which have been swept away in the raging water. Most of the major hotels were either on the river bed or overlooking it from the edges of River Swat. The water swept dams, swallowed fertile land and torn down bridges effectively dividing the Valley into two.
The floods that have caused massive devastation across the country struck at a time when tourism was in full swing, especially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan. Damages inflicted on tourism infrastructure in these areas are estimated to run in billions. Apart from claiming so many human lives, the floods took serious toll on hotels, motels, bridges, roads, houses. It rendered thousands of people jobless, who were affiliated with tourism. Gilgit Baltistan and Kaghan valley also affected by floods and rain and collapse of infrastructure. Karakuram Highway that was already blocked due to Aliabad landslide now totally shutdown for traffic. Balakot-Kaghan road is also impassable. Ecotourism Society Pakistan (ESP) estimation indicated around 550 million $ damaged to private sector. That include postponement of confirmed tours, damage to property and transportation. ESP submitted a detail damage report to world media and recommendations how tourism industry can cope with such disaster. American movie star Angelina Jolie who helped Pakistan in 2005 earthquake again came forward to help Pakistan and visited floods hit areas on 7 September 2010. She appealed to the international community to provide aid needed to help the country recover from its worst natural disaster. 22 million people affected by the floods. The United Nations issued an appeal for $460 million in emergency funds on 11 Aug., but only $294 million, or 64 percent, has been received so far, and donations have more or less dried up in recent days.

Major attractions

Pakistan is such a diverse region, it is the epicenter of various religions and settlements long before the creation of the nation that exists today. Today, Pakistan is formed of four large provinces - Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and four territories - Islamabad Capital Territory, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The cultural and physical diversity of Pakistan has developed the country into a tourist hot spot for foreign travellers as well as adventurers.


Site#138: Excavated ruins of Mohenjo-daro


Site#140: Buddhist ruins at Takht Bhai


Site#139: Ghadhara ruins at Taxila


The Chaukhandi Tombs


Site#171: Lahore Fort & Shalamar Gardens


The Mohatta Palace


Badshahi Mosque


The mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam
Currently Pakistan has six major cultural sites that are categorised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include:
Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro of the Indus Valley Civilization.
1st Century Buddhist Ruins at Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol.
The ruins of Taxila from the Gandhara Civilization
The Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens in Lahore.
Historic Monuments of the ancient city of Thatta.
The ancient fort of Rohtas.
During the period of 1993-2004, Pakistan was unable to submit information to UNESCO which delayed several sites to be categorised as potential World Heritage Sites. In 2004, the Ministry of Tourism was given funding to continue its research and ten sites were placed onto UNESCO Tentative List. In total, eighteen sites are awaiting to be categorised as of June 2010 which include:
The 17th Century Mughal built Badshahi Mosque.
The 17th Century Mughal built Wazir Khan Mosque.
The 17th Century Tombs of Jahangir, Asif Khan and Akbari Sarai.
Hiran Minar and Tank, built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in commemoration of his favourite antelope in the city of Sheikhupura.
14th Century Tomb of Hazrat Rukn-e-Alam.
One of the world's largest forts in the world, Rani Kot Fort.
17th Century Mughal built Shah Jahan Mosque, located in the ancient city of Thatta.
15th and 18th Century Chaukhandi Tombs of several Sindhi and Balochi tribes.
Neolithic archaeological Site of Mehrgarh.
Archaeological site of Rehman Dheri.
Archaeological site of Harappa.
Archaeological site of Ranigat.
Shahbazgarhi Rock Edicts.
Mansehra Rock Edicts.
Baltit Fort, an ancient Tibetan styled fort in the Hunza Valley.
Tomb of Bibi Jawindi, Baha'al-Halim and Ustead and the Tomb and Mosque of Jalaluddin Bukhari in Uch Sharif.
Port of Banbhore.
Furthermore, there are several landmarks and structures that have not yet made the UNESCO Tentative List. Long before the creation of Pakistan in 1947, there were plenty of cultures and religions that existed before the Partition of India. Pakistan being the epicenter of various wars led to several dynasties and tribes ruling its lands. They left various landmarks behind which some have become national icons whilst others needing the attention of concerned authorities. Some of these include:
Faisalabad Clock Tower and the Eight Bazaars
Altit Fort in Hunza Valley
17th and 18th Century Tombs of Talpur Mirs
Samadhi of Ranjit Singh
Mughal built tomb of Asaf Khan
Empress Market built during the rule of the British Empire
The tomb of Qutb-ud-din Aibak the first Sultan of Delhi and founder of the Slave dynasty.
Sikh built Mohatta Palace
18th Century Omar Hayat Mahal
19th Century Italian chateau Noor Palace
Derawar Fort
Mughal-built Hiran Minar
One of the oldest salt mines in Asia, Khewra Salt Mines
The 3000BC built fort of Kot Diji and Faiz Mahal in Khairpur
16th Century built fort at Shardu
Post-independence Pakistan retained its heritage by constructing various sites to commemorate its independence by blending various styles and influences from the past. Some of these include:
Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore.
Faisal Mosque in Islamabad.
The mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Bab-e-Pakistan a memorial site for the victims of the Partition of India.
Pakistan Monument in Islamabad.
The mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

Infrastructure and the economy

Main articles: Economy of Pakistan, Transport in Pakistan, and Telecommunications in Pakistan
Tourism is a growing industry in Pakistan. With more and more foreign investment and funding, Pakistan was able to build its major road and air networks to cater mass movements of cargo and inter-city travel. Roads are being developed by several consultants from the Northern Areas all the way down to the Port of Karachi. However, till this date, the government has not be able to take the tourism market seriously within Pakistan. Pakistan is home to a diverse number of tourist attractions which have not been funded or protected due to the government giving the tourism market a low priority.
Several statistics from the last decade show tourism is a "market led industry and not supply driven" which has led a large decline in travel to Pakistan. This has led to fewer tour agencies being set up and development of historical sites. It has been estimated that the public and private sectors have gradually earned less income from the tourism market causing less investment and innovation within the industry. This has led to several sites to depreciate over time and the lack of Minimum International Standards have left many sites in poor states. The latest budget showed that less money was being spent on research and marketing and more on defence and other fixed markets.
The 2008 World Economic forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report (TTCR) ranked Pakistan 103 out of 124 countries to visit. This low figure was due to a weak travel and tourism infrastructure, low branding and marketing effectiveness and low priority the government gave to the travel and tourism industry. Despite various campaigns such as the Visit Pakistan 2007 scheme the number of tourists dropped each year. This year it dropped by 6% as compared to the figures of last year. The lack of facilities within Pakistan cannot compete those of international standards. With a poor tourism infrastructure the provision of standard and competitive hotel rooms in Pakistan, the national and cultural resources being reduced, the security situation prevailing and rising inflation are the main factors reducing tourism within Pakistan.
Many critics have encouraged the government to again attract tourists to Pakistan by initiating the sponsorship of new businesses within the tourist market. Building and maintaining the road and air networks to meet international standards. The maturation of human and natural resources can also contribute in development of this feeble industry. Advertising campaigns need to attract tourist by developing holiday packages tailored to explore the greater regions of the country.


PTDC Motel at Malam Jabba Ski Resort.
[edit]Ministry of Tourism
Main articles: Ministry of Tourism (Pakistan) and PTDC
In September 2004 with the bifurcation of the Minorities, Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth Affairs, Tourism was given a separate status of Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry of Tourism is responsible for the policy formulation, development, marketing and promotion of both foreign and domestic tourism besides coordination and regulating of federal and provincial governments and private sector activities responsible and involved in tourism. Within the overall set up the tourism wing of the ministry is in collaboration with its field organisations making it completely responsible for the development of the tourism industry.

Tourism by subdivisions

Pakistan is subdivided into four provinces, one federal capital territory, and a group of federally-administered tribal areas.[ The four large provinces are what make up the majority of Pakistan which include Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh. The Islamabad Capital Territory is home to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. Finally, leaving Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan the minor territories under Pakistan control.

Islamabad Capital Territory
Main article: List of tourist attractions in Islamabad
[edit]Balochistan


Kund Malir, is one of the most famous beaches in Balochistan
Balochistan is the largest province by geographical area of Pakistan, constituting approximately 43% of the total area of Pakistan. Balochistan is home to one of the oldest Neolithic (7000 BC to c. 2500 BC) sites in archaeology. Mehrgarh and Nausharo, was an ancient city linked to the Indus Valley Civilization. Another ancient sites dating back 800 years are the Nausherwani tombs at Qila Ladgasht. There was also an ancient port at the site of Oraea which proved to be a useful port during the Hellenistic civilization.


Scenic beauty of Pasni beach
Quetta is the provincial capital of Balochistan. There are a number of sites of interest including the protected Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park, Hanna Lake, Quetta Geological Museum, Balochistan Arts Council Library, Quetta Archaeological Museum as well as Command and Staff College Museum. The Quaid-e-Azam Residency is another major site in Balochistan in the city of Ziarat. Ziarat is also famous for the juniper forests which are the oldest and largest in the world. Sibi, is an important historical city in Balochistan. The Jigra Hall has a collection of pieces found at the archaeological sites of Mehrgarh, Nasshero and Pirak. The annual Sibi Festival marks the famous Horse and Cattle Show.
There are a number of mountain passes within Balochistan. The Bolan Pass has been the main entrance to the provincial city of Quetta. There are several others including Lak Pass, Khojak Pass and Harnai Pass. The Balochistan coastline extends from the Sindh province to the Iranian border measuring a total distance of over 750 km. The city of Gwadar holds the largest port in the province which is based near the ancient area of Makran. Pasni is an another beautiful medium-sized town famous for fishing. Along the Makran Coastal Highway there are several rock formations as well as Kund Malir and the Hingol National Park.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa


The famous Khyber steam train safari
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is located in the north-west region of Pakistan. It is known as the tourist hotspot for adventurers and explorers. The province has a varied landscape ranging from rugged mountains, valleys, hills and dense agricultural farms. The region is well-known for its ancestral roots. There are a number of Buddhist archeological sites from the Gandhara civilisation such as Takht Bhai and Pushkalavati. There are a number of other Buddhist and Hindu archeological sites including Bala Hisar Fort, Butkara Stupa, Kanishka stupa, Chakdara, Panjkora Valley and Sehri Bahlol.


Usho Swat valley


Ghabral Swat Valley
Peshawar is the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The city is home to a number of sites including Bala Hisar Fort, Peshawar Museum, archelogocial site of Gor Khuttree, Mohabbat Khan Mosque, old city of Sethi Mohallah, Jamrud Fort, the Sphola Stupa and the most famous market of Qissa Khawani. The city of Dera Ismail Khan is known to be the entrance into the province from Punjab and Balochistan. The city is famour for its Hindu ruins at Kafir Kot. The Buddhist ruins at Shahbaz Garhi are also famous in the city of Mardan. Heading North, the divisions of Dir, Swat, Haripur, Abbottabad and Chitral all contain a several archaeological evcavated sites, rural landscape and famous festivals. There is a famous polo festival at Shandur Top between the Gilgit and Chitral tribes which dates back several centuries. There is also a Khyber train safari which travels from Peshawar to Landi Kotal.


Kunhar River originates in Lulusar within the Naran Valley
One of the most important cities in the province is Mansehra. The city is a major stop for tourists setting out to the Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir. The city is connected by the famous Karakoram Highway which ends up in China. Along the route there are several stops including the Kaghan Valley, Balakot, Naran, Shogran, Lake Saiful Mulook and Babusar Top. There are also several other sites within the province which attract a large number of tourist every year including Ayubia, Batkhela, Chakdara, Saidu Sharif, Kalam Valley and Hindu Kush mountain range in Chitral.
There are also several mountain passes that run through the province. One of the most famous is the Khyber Pass which links Afganistan with Pakistan. The trade route sees a large number of trucks and lorries importing and exporting goods in and out of the region. The Babusar Pass is another mountain pass connecting the Thak Nala with Chilas on the Karakorum Highway. The Lowari Pass is another pass which connects Chitral with Dir via the Lowari Tunnel. The highest mountain pass in Pakistan is Shandur Pass which connects Chitral to Gilgit and is known as the Roof of the World. The pass is the epicenter of three mountain ranges - Hindukush, Pamir and Karakoram.

Punjab


The Minar-e-Pakistan is located in the provincial capital of Punjab, Lahore


The Katasraj temple in Chakwal


The 1872-built Italian chateau Noor Mahal (Diamond Palace) in Bahawalpur
Punjab is the second largest province in Pakistan. It is known for its ancient cultural heritage as well as its religious diversity. The lands of Punjab have been home to a number of religions and civilisations. The Indus Valley Civilization once ruled the region and a significant archeological find was discovered at the ancient city of Harrapa. The Gandhara civilisation was also quite dominant in the northern region of Punjab at the site of Taxila. Several other civilisations such as Greeks, Central Asians, and Persians ruled Punjab leaving a number of sites which still exist today. The arrival of Islam came about during the rule of the Umayyad Caliphate followed by the Ghaznavids. The Mughals took control of the region and ruled its land for several centuries. The mughal heritage remained quite strong in Punjab with a large number of forts, tombs and monuments still intact today. The Durrani Empire ruled the Punjab at the fall of the Mughal Empire for a short period following the rise of the Sikh Empire. The strong control of the Sikhs also lead to a number of sites still remaining intact throughout Punjab. The British Raj took control of the region until the independence of Pakistan.
Tourism in Punjab is regulated by the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab. There are a number of large cosmopolitan cities in Punjab. The provincial capital, Lahore is the second largest city of Pakistan as is known to the Cultural Heart of Pakistan. The Mughal Empire left behind the Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens which are now recognised World Heritage Sites. The Walled City of Lahore, Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan Mosque, Tomb of Jahangir and Nur Jahan, Tomb of Asaf Khan and Chauburji are other major sites visited by tourists each year. The tomb of Qutb-ud-din Aibak from the Delhi Sultanate is located in the historical market of Anarkali Bazaar in Lahore. The Samadhi of Ranjit Singh and Hazuri Bagh Baradari are prime example of Sikh architecture during the rule of the Sikh Empire. There a number of other sites within Lahore such as Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore Museum, Data Durbar Complex, Tomb of Muhammad Iqbal, Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore Zoo, Tomb of Shah Jamal, Sukh Chayn Gardens, Gaddafi Stadium which all create a large number of visitors annually.
Rawalpindi is known to be a famous hill station stop for tourists before setting out to Murree, Patriata, Northern Areas, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The Pharwala Fort is a major fort on the outskirts of the city built by an ancient Hindu civilisation. There are a number of sites from the Mughal Empire in the city of Sheikhupura called Hiran Minar and the Sheikhupura Fort. The Rohtas Fort near Jhelum is a major fort built by Sher Shah Suri is a World Heritage Site. The Katasraj temple in the city of Chakwal is a major destination for Hindu devotees. The Khewra Salt Mines is another major tourist attraction as its one of the oldest mines in South Asia. The city of Nankana Sahib is birthplace of the founder of Sikhism. The Gurdwara is visited by a number of pilgrims ever year to mark Guru Nanak Dev birthday. Another famous gurdwara in Punjab is Panja Sahib located in the city of Hasan Abdal. The clock tower and eight bazaars of Faisalabad are famous for its bazaars since they were designed to represent the Union Jack flag.
Travelling southwards, the region starts to become more desertic. Multan is another major tourist destination in Punjab. It is known for its mausoleums of saints and Sufi pirs. The most famous being the Rukn-e-Alam and Baha-ud-din Zakariya. The Multan Museum and Nuagaza tombs are so significant attractions in the city. The city of Bahwalpur is a major destination as it is located near the Cholistan Desert and Thar Desert. The Derawar Fort is a large fort built in the Cholistan Desert which is also the site for the annual Cholistan Jeep Rally. The city is also near the ancient site of Uch Sharif which was once a Delhi Sultanate stronghold. The Noor Mahal, Sadiq Ghar Palace, Darbar Mall are large palaces built during the reign of the Nawabs. The Lal Suhanra National Park is a major zoological garden on the outskirts of the city.

Sindh


The Karachi Port Trust Headquarters


The Faiz Mahal (Faiz Palace) built by the Talpur Mirs dynasty
Sindh is located in the south-eastern region of Pakistan. The province is known for its religious heritage and rapid-urbanisation. The province is home to the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation. Mohenjo-daro near the city of Larkana was one of the largest city-settlements in South Asia and is a official UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Chaukhandi tombs are another example of ancient Sindhi and Balochi heritage located near the town of Landi. Another ancient city, Aror, located near the city of Sukkur is also a famous tourist spot for its ruins. Kahu-Jo-Darro is a famous ancient Buddhist archaeological site near Mirpurkhas were a Buddhist stupa was excuvated.
The arrival of Islam in the Indian subcontinent took place in Sindh. There has been a number of sites within the province that have led archeologists to suggest this. Makli Hill is one of the largest necropolises in the world. The site is home to a number of ancient tombs and graves of Islamic dynasties. The Talpur Mirs of Hyderabad also left a number of sites including, Tombs of Talpur Mirs, Faiz Mahal in Khairpur, Qasim fort, Pacco Qillo and the Kot Diji Fort in Kot Diji. Another famous fort built during the Islam invasion was the Ranikot Fort. Like other provinces, Sindh has a number of cultural shrines and mausoleums including Thatta, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Lal Shahbaz Qalander, Shahjahan Mosque, Mazar-e-Quaid, Minar-e-Mir Masum Shah, Bhambore and Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.


The British built Sukkur Barrage
Karachi is the provincial capital of the province and largest city of Pakistan. It is home to the founder of the nation, Mohammad Ali Jinnah. His tomb, Mazar-e-Quaid, is the most iconic mausoleum in Pakistan. The city has the largest port in the country, Port of Karachi, followed by the second largest, Port Qasim. Karachi has also been ruled under a number of tribes which meant the city is home to a number of cultural sites including, Mohatta Palace, National Museum of Pakistan, Empress Market, Frere Hall, Jehangir Kothari Parade, Karachi Municipal Corporation Building and the Hindu Gymkhana. There are also several beaches within the city, some of the most famous are Clifton Beach, French Beach, Sandspit Beach and Manora Island.
The province also forms the basin for the Indus river. This has led to a number of lakes being formed in the province. Some of the most notable ones include: Keenjhar Lake, Manchar Lake and the Bakri Waro Lake in Khairpur. The Kirthar National Park is also a protected reserve for several wildlife within the region. The Thar Desert is also located in the province which adjorns it to Punjab and India. The Great Rann of Kutch is a protected wetland site in the province. There are two wildlife santuaries in the province: Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary and the Nara Desert Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sukkur Barrage is another famous icon in the province it was built to alleviate famines caused by lack of rain.

See also

Azad Kashmir: Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, Jhelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch
Balochistan: Ziarat, Bolan Pass, Moola Pass, Chotok Waterfall, Mehrgarh, Khojak Pass
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa: Peshawar, Khyber Pass, Kohat, Bannu, Mardan, Swat, Mingora, Saidu Sharif, Shangla District, Kalam valley, Chitral, Kalash, Broghil Pass, Haripur, Tarbela Dam, Havelian, Abbottabad, Thandiani, Mansehra, Khanpur, Nathiagali, Dungagali, Ayubia, Kaghan Valley, Naran Valley, Batagram
Punjab: Murree, Cholistan Desert, Uch Sharif, Multan, Harappa, Pakpattan, Lahore, Fort Munro, Panjnad, Salt Range, Rohtas Fort, Taxila, Lal Suhanra National Park
Gilgit-Baltistan: Chakdara, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Lowari Pass, Drosh, Chitral, Garam Chashma, Kohistan District, Besham, Dasu, Chilas, Astore Valley, Nanga Parbat, Gilgit, Parri Bangla, Naltar Valley, Bagrot-Haramosh Valley, Juglot, Gashoo Pahoot, Rama Ishkoman, Yasin Valley, Ghizar, Baltistan, Skardu, Deosai National Park, Shigar, Khapalu Biafo glacier, Sadpar lack, Shangrilla, K2 base camp, K7, Broad Peak, Braqthok khaplu, Gondogoro-laa, Masherbrum, Hunza, Nagar, Gojal, Chalt, Aliabad, Karimabad, Altit Fort, Gulmit, Passu, Sost, Khunjerab Pass
Islamabad: Faisal Mosque, Margalla Hills, Simly Dam, Rawal Lake
Sindh: Karachi, Mohenjo-daro, Hyderabad, Sehwan Sharif, Gorakh Hill, Manchhar Lake, Kot Diji, Kalri Lake, Bhambore, Thatta, Chaukundi Tombs, Makli Hill, Keti Bandar, Shahbandar, Jani Bandar, Bhanbhor, Gidu Bandar.


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Snigdha Nandipati spells 'guetapens' to win 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee

OXON HILL, Md.  — Snigdha Nandipati heard a few words she didn't know during the National Spelling Bee, but never when she stepped to the microphone.

Calm and collected throughout, the 14-year-old from San Diego spelled "guetapens," a French-derived word that means ambush, snare or trap, to win the 85th Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night. She beat out eight other finalists in the nerve-wracking, brain-busting competition.

After she spelled the word, she looked from side to side, as if unsure her accomplishment was real, and, oddly, she was not immediately announced as the winner. Applause built slowly, and a few pieces of confetti trickled out before showering her. Then her 10-year-old brother ran on stage and embraced her, and she beamed.

"I knew it. I'd seen it before," Nandipati said of the winning word. "I just wanted to ask everything I could before I started spelling."

A coin collector and Sherlock Holmes fan, Nandipati aspires to become a physician or neurosurgeon. She also plays violin and is fluent in Telugu, a language spoken in southeastern India.

A semifinalist last year, Nandipati became the fifth consecutive Indian-American winner and 10th in the last 14 years, a run that began in 1999 when Nupur Lala won and was later featured in the documentary "Spellbound."

Wearing a white polo shirt with a gold necklace peeking out of the collar, the bespectacled, braces-wearing teen never showed much emotion while spelling, working her way meticulously through each word. Only a few of the words given to other spellers were unfamiliar to her, 

The bee came down to two female spellers, Nandipati and Stuti Mishra, who misspelled "schwarmerei" in Round 12, leaving the door open for Nandipati if she spelled her next word correctly.

Nandipati is an aspiring psychiatrist or neurosurgeon and is the 5th consecutive Indian-American winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Her prizes include $30,000 in cash, a trophy, a $2,500 savings bond, a $5,000 scholarship, $2,600 in reference works from the Encyclopedia Britannica and an online language course.

Alejandro Sanz

Alejandro Sanz, born Alejandro Sánchez Pizarro on December 18, 1968 is a Spanish singer-songwriter and musician. For his work, Sanz has won a total of fifteen Latin Grammy Awards and three Grammy Awards. He has won the Latin Grammy for Album of the Year three times, more than any other artist. Throughout his career, he has released a total of ten studio albums and six DVDs. The singer is noted for his flamenco-influenced ballads, but he has also experimented with rock, salsa, and hip hop.

Born in Madrid, Sanz began playing guitar at age seven, taking influence from his family's flamenco roots. He released his debut album at age sixteen, although he did not gain commercial success until his second release, Viviendo Deprisa. His next two records, Si Tú Me Miras and 3 also fared well commercially, but it was his 1997 breakthrough album Más that garnered international success. El Alma al Aire followed in 2000, selling more than a million copies in its first week.

In 2002, he became the first Spanish artist to record an MTV Unplugged album. His collaboration with Shakira on the single "La Tortura" reached number one on several charts worldwide. His albums No Es lo Mismo (2003) and El Tren de los Momentos (2006) showed Sanz experimenting with more diverse styles of music, while his most recent release, Paraíso Express (2009) served as a return to form for the musician. He signed to Universal Music Group in 2011 and is reported to be working on his tenth studio album.


To promote his new record, Paraíso Express, Sanz started a campaign in which fans could create a video about their definition of paradise and upload it to his YouTube channel. Artists such as Shakira, Laura Pausini and Paulina Rubio also participated. On November 10, 2009, Sanz released Paraíso Express. This record was described as a return to form for Sanz, focusing more on melody as opposed to the experimentation he pursued on his previous two albums. He commented that "On this album, I first composed the melody and then the lyrics. It is more of a rock album than my past releases, with more elegant and positive lyrics and a happier and more rhythmic spirit.
The bilingual single "Looking for Paradise" featuring Alicia Keys reached number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. At the 2010 Latin Grammy Awards, the album was nominated Album of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Album, while the single "Desde Cuándo" received both Record and Song of the Year nominations. On February 15, 2011, Sanz announced that he would be signing with Universal Music Group after twenty years with Warner.


Musical style
Sanz is known for his distinctive raspy vocals, which he attributes to his flamenco roots, crediting singer Camarón de la Isla as a major influence.His song "Sí, He Cantado Mal" (Yes, I Have Sung Badly) from No Es lo Mismo references this, with Sanz saying "I'm laughing a little at myself so that I can laugh at other things. Sometimes, I'm harder on myself than any music critic can be. I'm laughing at that. Throughout his youth, Sanz was heavily influenced by English-language heavy metal groups such as Iron Maiden and Dio, referring to himself as a "heavy metal radical". He also feels that living in the city of Cadiz had a major impact on his musical style, where "Any 7-year-old kid you find knows how to play guitar, play the cajón, knows how to sing. When the family comes together we start to sing. In a way it's not just music, it's culture.
Early in his career, his music generally consisted of romantic ballads. However, in the late 1990s, his collaborations with other artists greatly expanded his musical style. On No Es lo Mismo, he experimented with rock, salsa, and hip hop. While recording the album, he noted that he often entered the studio with a rough idea for a song and the guest artists would "contaminate it with their rhythms...in a good way. El Tren de los Momentos continued this pattern of musical experimentation, featuring diverse genres such as funk, jazz, and country.Despite this, Jason Birchmeier of Allmusic described his musical evolution by saying "Even as Sanz broadened his style over the years, he never ventured far from his strength: romantic songs, generally ballads, tinged with flamenco and sung wholeheartedly with his distinct voice.

Personal life
Sanz married Mexican fashion model and actress Jaydy Michel in Bali on December 30, 1999, but this marriage was never legally recognized in either of their home countries. Sanz felt that having a legally recognized marriage was unnecessary: "My wife is my wife and I am her husband. For me, that has enough validity...I am married with the heart."[39] The couple separated in 2005.Their daughter, Manuela Sánchez Michel, was born in 2001. Sanz later had a son named Alexander with Valeria Rivera, a Puerto Rican fashion designer.
Sanz welcomed his third child in New York, a boy named Dylan (b. July 2011), the first child from his relationship with girlfriend and former assistant, Raquel Perera. Sanz chose flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía to be the godfather to his son. Sanz and Perera are godparents to David Bisbal's daughter, Ella. On May 23, 2012, Sanz married Raquel Perera in a private ceremony in Barcelona.
In addition to music, Sanz enjoys painting, which he often does while trying to create ideas for new songs.[44] He explains that painting "teaches you that taking risks rarely leads to failure. In fact, from the moment you assume a risk, you have succeeded.

Sanz was born in Madrid, Spain, on December 18, 1968, the youngest son of María Pizarro and Jesús Sánchez. He grew up in the high-crime neighborhood of Moratalaz in eastern Madrid. Sanz recalled that "Back then, kids grew up on the street...I was a bit like the group troubadour; the one who played the guitar and sang. That kept me out of a lot of trouble. Sanz's father, a door-to-door book salesman, played guitar professionally, which inspired seven-year-old Sanz to learn to play the instrument. He pursued the instrument with an intensity that eventually frustrated his mother, who broke his guitar one morning after his playing kept the family from sleeping.
He was exposed to traditional flamenco music as a child while vacationing each summer in his parents' native Andalucía in southern Spain. Originally, Sanz intended to become a flamenco performer, but he found the music teachers to be overly strict. Commenting on his early experiences, Sanz explained, "Flamenco can be very hard on beginners. If you lose the rhythm, they toss you out with, 'You're no good, boy!' They're very strict and very cruel. But it's also a marvelous education, because you either learn to play or else. He felt that he could not compete with his peers, and decided to focus on creating pop music with flamenco influences, viewing flamenco to be a "lifestyle" better suited to others.

Buddy Roemer

Charles Elson "Buddy" Roemer III, born October 4, 1943 is an American politician who was a candidate for the presidential nominations of the Republican Party and the Reform Party, respectively, in 2012. He withdrew. He was seeking the 2012 Americans Elect presidential nomination until that group announced it would not field a candidate in 2012 because no candidate reached the required minimum threshold of support to be on its ballot. He also served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1981 to 1988 before serving as the 76th Governor of Louisiana (52nd since U.S. Statehood), from 1988 to 1992.
In March 1991, while serving as Governor, Roemer switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party.

The Sterling Group, Inc (1992–1997)
After the 1991 election cycle concluded, Roemer teamed up with a long time friend, Joe Traigle, to form The Sterling Group, Inc. The two met in the late 1960s in Shreveport, Louisiana when they were both active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees).
The Sterling Group specialized in international trade of plastic raw materials between the US and Mexico. Roemer served as the Chairman of the board and Traigle served as President. Roemer was a strong supporter of improving Louisiana and US trade with Mexico. Traigle bought Roemer out of the company in 1997.

1995 gubernatorial election

In 1995, Roemer attempted a comeback, running again for governor. Having been squeezed out in 1991 between Edwards and Duke, Roemer chose to run on a much more conservative platform in 1995, emphasizing an anti-crime and anti-welfare stance. For example, he called for prisoner chain gangs to clean up litter on state highways. Roemer held a wide lead for much of the campaign, but faded in the days before the primary election as conservative state senator Mike Foster, who switched affiliation from Democratic to Republican during the campaign, peeled conservative votes away from him. Roemer finished fourth with 18 percent of the vote, two percentage points from making the runoff.

2004 U.S. Senate election

In the summer of 2004, Roemer briefly considered entering the race to succeed retiring U.S. Senator John Breaux. Roemer passed on the race, and Republican Representative David Vitter of suburban New Orleans was elected to replace Breaux.

Later business career

Having failed at his political comeback, Roemer has in recent years been an investor and banker. He formed one company that built retirement housing for retirees near universities, with alumni from each university being the target buyers. He also founded Business First Bank, based in Baton Rouge.
In June 2005, Roemer underwent triple bypass heart surgery at the Baton Rouge General Medical Center. In 2008, Roemer supported and campaigned for U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona for President of the United States.
Roemer is currently President and CEO of Business First Bank in Baton Rouge.
In 2000, Roemer was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.
Ron Gomez (a Lafayette politicist) said that he believes Roemer "could have been one of Louisiana's great governors. The state's horrible financial condition when he took office, his dependence on an inexperienced and sometimes rashly immature staff in his first year or so, an overly-ambitious legislative agenda and his own unpredictable dealings with individual legislators all contributed to the failures he suffered. Ultimately, all of these factors led to his running third, as the incumbent, in the 1991 gubernatorial election. Gomez describes Roemer as "a dynamic orator who could light up an audience with his first two sentences. When he got wound up it was truly evangelical, and he made sense. His wiry, five foot seven, one-hundred thirty-five pound frame would seem to uncoil and grow as he outlined his vision as a fighter against crime, corruption and waste in government, poor education, taxes and industrial pollution.
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Americans long ago reached a verdict on John Edwards


U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles declared a mistrial on five other counts because the jury was deadlocked about whether Edwards, 58, took money from two wealthy donors to keep voters from learning he was cheating on his cancer-stricken wife, Elizabeth, with a campaign videographer.


The jury's decision on the ninth day of deliberations capped a nearly six-week-long trial that included salacious testimony more befitting of a soap opera than a campaign for the country's highest political office.


Jurors heard about tawdry affair details, furtive phone calls and secret donor checks written under the guise of buying furniture, as former campaign workers and supporters painted an unflattering portrait of Edwards.


The trial's outcome marked yet another dramatic turn of events for the two-time presidential hopeful who beat a Republican incumbent senator in his first political race and became the Democrats' vice presidential nominee just six years later.


As the jury's verdict was read, Edwards, who did not testify during the trial and faced possible fines and prison time if convicted, slumped back in his seat in relief.


Later, standing in front of the federal courthouse in Greensboro, he maintained his innocence and choked up as he spoke of his affection for the 4-year-old daughter he fathered with then-mistress Rielle Hunter.


"While I do not believe I did anything illegal, or ever thought I was doing anything illegal, I did an awful, awful lot that was wrong, and there is no one else responsible for my sins," he said, flanked by his parents and 30-year-old daughter, Cate, who stood by him throughout the proceedings.


"I am responsible, and if I want to find the person who should be held accountable for my sins, honestly I don't have to go any further than the mirror. It's me. It is me and me alone."


He went on to call his child with Hunter "my precious Quinn, who I love more than any of you could ever imagine" and said he still hoped to one day help the country's poor children.


Justice Department prosecutors are unlikely to retry Edwards, but a final decision will be made in the coming days, a law enforcement source said. A department spokeswoman had no immediate comment on the jury results or what would happen next.


JURORS SURPRISE COURTROOM


The government accused Edwards of orchestrating a cover-up plot that funneled more than $900,000 from heiress Rachel "Bunny" Mellon and trial lawyer Fred Baron to Hunter and campaign aide Andrew Young, who said he once falsely claimed paternity of Edwards' love-child at the candidate's request.


Jurors found Edwards not guilty of accepting illegal campaign contributions from Mellon in 2008.


But they could not reach a unanimous decision on a similar count involving money from Mellon in 2007; two counts of accepting illegal campaign money from Baron; one count of conspiring to solicit illegal campaign funds; and one count of failing to report donor payments in excess of $2,300 as political contributions.


The defense said all along that Edwards knew nothing of the supporters' payments, which were meant as personal gifts to shield Elizabeth Edwards from her husband's indiscretions, not to influence the election.


Asked how he felt after the acquittal and mistrial, Wallace Edwards, the former senator's 80-year-old father, pointed at the smile on his face. "This says it all," he said.


Federal prosecutors likely will weigh the political risk and expense of a retrial as they decide how to proceed with a case that took an unprecedented view of what qualifies as a political contribution, said Elon University assistant law professor Michael Rich.


"I'm sure that they will spin it that a hung jury simply indicates that they had a strong case but couldn't convince a couple of reticent jurors," Rich said. "I do think we saw their strongest case, and it just wasn't enough."


Rich said Young, who received immunity as the government's chief witness, ultimately proved untrustworthy.
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Buddy Roemer quits 2012 race


On an unusually balmy March evening in Washington DC, a crowd of polished Beltway types—consultants, advocates, lobbyists, and the usual politicos—listen attentively to former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer at a salon on money in politics at a historic row house. Roemer, (in the South it's pronounced "roma") dives right into his speech, his distinct Shreveport accent and Methodist preacher rhythm echo in the room. "Washington isn't broken"—brief, effective pause—"it's bought!" The slight, white-haired 68-year-old drops phrases like "Goldman-friggin'-Sachs" with fire-and-brimstone inflections. The crowd listens politely. "It's not the White House I want," Roemer roars in his final crescendo. "I want a free America!"


You could be forgiven for having missed it, but Roemer has been running for president. A Harvard-educated four-term congressman, one-term governor, and successful banker, he campaigned for more than a year. In a field light on Southern Republicans (Newt Gingrich was born in Pennsylvania and Rick Perry, well…), he once might have looked like a contender. But not in the eyes of Republican tastemakers. Roemer was not invited to a single one of the 20 primary debates, a fact he repeats with unmitigated animosity. Which is why, after 20-plus years as a Republican convert (he started his career as a Democrat), he quit the party in February.


His third-party run was based on a signature issue: not accepting any campaign contributions exceeding $100. In a political system awash in money, it's a compelling concept, but then again, why $100? Why not $500? Why not the federally mandated maximum of $2,500 per donor, still peanuts compared to the million-dollar checks being written by superwealthy super-PAC donors? When you press him on this, Roemer defaults to folksy. "I hope people see past my farm"—a sly reference to his family's 2,000-acre plantation—"into my heart and see what the future ought to be—a president who's free to lead.


After 17 months of a wonderful campaign, the lack of ballot access in all 50 states makes the quest impossible for now.


I want to thank my family, particularly my wife Scarlett, and my three children Caroline, Chas, and Dakota. I’d also like to thank my three sisters, Margaret, Melinda, Melanie, and my brother Danny for all of their efforts.


I could not have done this without the guidance and brilliance of my campaign manager, Carlos Sierra of El Paso, and without the new media expertise of Jill Sherman and Morgan Martinez, the volunteer efforts of Joshua Chavers, the start-up assistance of a great leader, Skardon Baker of Los Angeles, the courage of my New England director, Jim Knowlton of Worchester, and the scheduling patience of William Pierce of Rhode Island.


A special thank you to Bill Klotz of Louisiana who never faltered— not once. My kitchen cabinet included Taunton Melville of Louisiana, Len Sanderson of DC, Larry Lessig of Massachusetts, Dennis Stine of Louisiana, Brian Silver of California, and Mark McKinnon of Texas.
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Buddy Roemer


Charles Elson "Buddy" Roemer III, born October 4, 1943 is an American politician who was a candidate for the presidential nominations of the Republican Party and the Reform Party, respectively, in 2012. He withdrew. He was seeking the 2012 Americans Elect presidential nomination until that group announced it would not field a candidate in 2012 because no candidate reached the required minimum threshold of support to be on its ballot. He also served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1981 to 1988 before serving as the 76th Governor of Louisiana (52nd since U.S. Statehood), from 1988 to 1992.
In March 1991, while serving as Governor, Roemer switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party.


The Sterling Group, Inc (1992–1997)
After the 1991 election cycle concluded, Roemer teamed up with a long time friend, Joe Traigle, to form The Sterling Group, Inc. The two met in the late 1960s in Shreveport, Louisiana when they were both active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees).
The Sterling Group specialized in international trade of plastic raw materials between the US and Mexico. Roemer served as the Chairman of the board and Traigle served as President. Roemer was a strong supporter of improving Louisiana and US trade with Mexico. Traigle bought Roemer out of the company in 1997.


1995 gubernatorial election


In 1995, Roemer attempted a comeback, running again for governor. Having been squeezed out in 1991 between Edwards and Duke, Roemer chose to run on a much more conservative platform in 1995, emphasizing an anti-crime and anti-welfare stance. For example, he called for prisoner chain gangs to clean up litter on state highways. Roemer held a wide lead for much of the campaign, but faded in the days before the primary election as conservative state senator Mike Foster, who switched affiliation from Democratic to Republican during the campaign, peeled conservative votes away from him. Roemer finished fourth with 18 percent of the vote, two percentage points from making the runoff.


2004 U.S. Senate election


In the summer of 2004, Roemer briefly considered entering the race to succeed retiring U.S. Senator John Breaux. Roemer passed on the race, and Republican Representative David Vitter of suburban New Orleans was elected to replace Breaux.


Later business career


Having failed at his political comeback, Roemer has in recent years been an investor and banker. He formed one company that built retirement housing for retirees near universities, with alumni from each university being the target buyers. He also founded Business First Bank, based in Baton Rouge.
In June 2005, Roemer underwent triple bypass heart surgery at the Baton Rouge General Medical Center. In 2008, Roemer supported and campaigned for U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona for President of the United States.
Roemer is currently President and CEO of Business First Bank in Baton Rouge.
In 2000, Roemer was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.
Ron Gomez (a Lafayette politicist) said that he believes Roemer "could have been one of Louisiana's great governors. The state's horrible financial condition when he took office, his dependence on an inexperienced and sometimes rashly immature staff in his first year or so, an overly-ambitious legislative agenda and his own unpredictable dealings with individual legislators all contributed to the failures he suffered. Ultimately, all of these factors led to his running third, as the incumbent, in the 1991 gubernatorial election. Gomez describes Roemer as "a dynamic orator who could light up an audience with his first two sentences. When he got wound up it was truly evangelical, and he made sense. His wiry, five foot seven, one-hundred thirty-five pound frame would seem to uncoil and grow as he outlined his vision as a fighter against crime, corruption and waste in government, poor education, taxes and industrial pollution.
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