Undiscovered Destinations in Balochistan, Pride of Pakistan

When we talk about the natural beauty of Pakistan, most of the people talk about the highlighted region of North but no one ever discusses the mesmerizing beauty of the South. Today, we are going to discuss those un-discussed natural beauties of Balochistan which are located in the Southern and South Western region of Pakistan.

ASTOLA ISLAND:

From Karachi, when you take a drive of seven hours towards Pasni, then you have to take a three hours boat ride to reach the undiscovered and rarely visited destination of “Island of Astola”. As the journey time is too long and the destination is located in a remote area, therefore this destination is rarely visited by any of the tourists.

As very few people visit this place, therefore, it provides an absolutely real and natural environment for living organisms and animals like gulls, tern, cetaceans, corals, green turtle and hawksbill turtle and many more. Sometimes, even diving whales can be visualized by the visitor.

When you reach near the Island of Astola, you will notice three things immediately, Crystal Clear Water, Seven Rocky Mountains and Golden Sand Dunes all over. You will think that you are one of the characters in Arabian Nights and you have landed some dream destination. 

Astola is also famous as “Jazeera Haft Talar” (Island of the Seven Hills) because of the Rocky Mountains found all around the Island. Golden Sand Dune has its own attraction as this sand is rarely touched by any human being.

BOLAN PASS, BALOCHISTAN:

Bolan Pass is an important gateway in the province of Balochistan, Pakistan connecting Sibi with Quetta by road and railway. Bolan Pass is a mountain pass through the Toba Kakar Range of Balochistan, 120 km from the Afghanistan border.

Bolan Pass has been considered as an important gateway since the last many centuries. It has been a famous route for traders, invaders and travelers between South Asia and other parts of Asia.

Many famous historical personalities along with their army crossed this route for invasions. For instance, Ahmed Shah Durrani invaded India in 1748 by using Bolan Pass. In 1839, the British Army took 12,000 men through Bolan Pass and entered Qandahar.

ACCORDING TO THE AUTHOR RAYEES KHAN FROM BALOCHISTAN:

ZIYARAT RESIDENCY:

In the beautiful Valley of Ziyarat in Balochistan, there is an honourable place also known as Ziyarat Residency commonly known as Quaid-e-Azam Residency. Ziyarat Residency is one of the most honorable place in entire Pakistan as this is the only place that served the most honorable personality, the father of the Nation “Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah” in his final days. Quaid-e-Azam spent the last two months and ten days of his life at Ziyarat Residency.

The honorable nurse A. S. Nathaniel served and comforted the father of the Nation during his final days of illness. For her memorable services, Nathaniel was awarded with Tamgha-i-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan Rafique Tarrar back in 2000.  

As a tourist, when we go to Ziyarat Residency, we hear a lot of heart touching stories from the local guide how the Great Man spent his last days and how much he was concerned about his nation even in his final days.

Even today, in Quaid-e-Azam Residency, we can see the honorable bed where the father of the Nation rested during his final days, along with the simple furniture which shows the simplicity of the great man who was head of the country at that moment but still preferred to spend simple and contented life.  

BALOCHI FOOD:

Every region has their own cuisine with specialties and they are famous all over because of them. Prime element in Balochi cuisine is “Meat” and Baloch cuisine is incomplete without involving lamb or beef or sometimes even chicken.

SAJJI:

Sajji is made with a lamb, preferably an entire lamb for any special event. It can be made with or without rice depending on the demand of the guests. The major ingredients are vinegar, red chili powder, black pepper, salt, garlic paste, coriander seeds, lemon juice and oil.

DESSERT:

Fresh fruits are preferably used as prime dessert in most of the region. Fruits include apple, cherry, peach, Khubaani (apricot), pomegranates and black amber.

BALOCHI SPORTS:

Famous Balochi sports are football, horse racing, pitto-garm, cricket and gulli-danda.

Note: We are thankful to the following for guide in our research.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1305190/why-astola-island-is-a-hidden-gem-of-pakistan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolan_Pass