Exploring Pakistan Through Camera Lenses

A general perception about Pakistan suggests it is an under-developed and unsafe country. People don’t find it a safe place to travel to, as it is associated with terrorist attacks and political crises. With such a negative perception why would anyone even consider traveling to and exploring Pakistan?

The reality is completely different as explored through foreign and local camera lenses. Travelers, explorers and photographers beautifully captured the beauty of country. They have highlighted their visits, and captured some memorable experiences and stories which have been shared on social media.

Here is a list of few famous individuals, who have captured, promoted and made their trip to Pakistan viral.

Brandon Stanton – Humans of New York

Brandon Stanton is the creator of famous photo blog “Humans of New York”. He came up with some astounding photos and, heart touching stories of Pakistan that were pushed around to 14 million followers through social media.

Moin Khan – A Different Agenda

Moin Khan was the man behind two inspirational documentaries “A different agenda” and “Rediscovering Pakistan”. He traveled a long way to the Northern areas of Pakistan with a selfie stick, a motorbike and bunch of friends. It took thousands of kilometers for Moin Khan to realize his true passion is not traveling but his homeland.

Mike Horn to conquer K2

Mike Horn is a South African born, Swiss explorer, who started his journey (via road) from Germany and traveled all the way to Pakistan. Mike wanted to ski down K2, which he did not complete, however he joined Moin Khan on his tour and publicized the beauty of Pakistan on his social media pages.

Sophee Southall – Capturing The Beauty

Sophee is a young travel blogger from Australia who recently traveled to Pakistan. Sophee has captured some of the most unique clicks that went viral on internet. She has promoted the true breathtaking beauty of Pakistan with her finest work.

Billi Bierling – Exploring The Peaks

Billi is a German journalist and climber, who went on an adventurous expedition to K2 and other famous broad peaks of Pakistan. Billi exclaims that her experience to the massive Baltoro glacier was an extremely fascinating one.

Syed Mehdi Bukhari– The Photo Perfectionist

The Sialkot based photographer, Syed Mehdi Bukhari, has skillfully used his artistic and visual eye to promote the inspiring beauty of Pakistan. His work has been published by Dawn media group and showcases his photographic expertise and love for his homeland.

Zenith Irfan – High Spirit Explorer

Zenith is a 20 year old free soul, who decided to discover the marvels of Pakistan. Shetraveled to Kashmir on her two-wheeler and camera to document the beauty of this land.

David Kaszlikowski – Exploring Majesty of Glaciers

David is an adventure photographer, who recently took social media by storm with his fantastic pictures of the Karakoram glaciers. He came to explore the magnificence of Pakistan and successfully managed to discover the best out of the country.

Iara Lee’s – Inspiring by Documentary

Iara Lee, a Korean film producer, has showcased Pakistan in a brilliant manner through her documentary titled ‘K2 and the Invisible Footmen’. The documentary portrays the hard living aspects of the porters on K2. The documentary was screened across Pakistan and it is now set to screen in other countries as well.

Travel Diaries – Promoting Pakistan

The blog promotes the work of emerging photographers in Pakistan. It showcased scenic sites and stories of the country. You just need a DSLR or smartphone to get started!

Designer Omar Mansoor showcased Imperial Romance at London Fashion Week SS 16

Omar Mansoor returns with his 10th collection at LFW featuring evening wear, depicting the context of Russian Revolution.

In Russian history the fashion revolutions always coincided with the greatest political changes: from Peter the Great to the Revolution of 1917 to Gorbachev’s Perestroika. The Revolution of 1917 made the Russian fashion adjust to the new Communist norms, which condemned everything “bourgeois” and extraordinary.

The collection is constructed with hues of white and ivory depicting the peace post revolution. The pre revolution Tsarist Autocracy is shown with Faberge imperial eggs inspired motifs, while the rise of revolution is communicated with military insignia and caps, the end of revolution peace is shown with white and gold silk flowers.

The diffusion line includes both knee and full length dresses along jumpsuits constructed using a range of fabrics from silk jersey, crepes to lace blended with Lycra.
Here are some glimpses from his showcased collection :-

All about ”World Tourism Day”

For the past 35 years, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has celebrated World Tourism Day on September 27th. This day celebrates the importance of the tourism industry, one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world, and how it positively affects the global community. The day marks the end of the high tourist season in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of the tourist season in the southern hemisphere.


The UNWTO designates a country each year to act as the Organization’s partner and host the celebration of World Tourism Day. World Tourism Day 2015 will be celebrated in Burkina Faso and the theme will be “1 Billion Tourists, Billion Opportunities”. The campaign highlights the transformative potential of one billion tourists. Pakistan with its diverse cultures, people and landscapes attracted 1 million tourists in 2012.
In 2009, The World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report ranked Pakistan as a part of the Top 25% tourist attractions for its World Heritage Sites. In 2012, Islamabad celebrated World Tourism Day by organizing a ‘Wall-climbing Competition’ at the Lake View Park. More than 300 students participated in the competition, which created awareness among the youth about the importance of mountains and the tourism industry as well as sports in the country.
Support and celebrate the campaign by traveling and becoming a part of the 1 Billion Tourists. Transform this Eid break into an opportunity to explore the undiscovered parts of Pakistan, such as Ghotki and Sahiwal. For more destinations, visit Jovago.com, and find the best deals that ensure an unforgettable vacation at an affordable price!

Eid-ul-Azha Celebrations in Pakistan

In the month of Zil Haj, the grand Muslim pilgrimage to the Kaaba in Makkah takes place. Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the Tenth day of this month.
In Pakistan even before the month of Zil Haj starts, we see livestock markets locally called Bakra Mandis pop up at designated places. Different cities have huge markets, which sell goats, cows, and camels to name a few. Mostly men and children make plans and visit these markets to buy animals for sacrifice.
Children are specifically very enthusiastic in taking care of these animals feeding them, and becoming emotionally attached to them.
Apart from that, families shop for their Eid clothes and shopping malls and markets are very busy.
On the night before the Eid day, popularly known as the ‘Chaand Raat’, many women and girls get henna patterns applied to their hands. Many families are out and about on Chaand Raat enjoying the food and some last minute shopping.
On the first day of Eid, after offering the Eid prayers, the animals are sacrificed and this continues till the second and third days depending on the availability of the butchers. The meat is distributed among the needy, the family members, and the neighbors and also among friends.
In many households sweet treats are cooked and there is a huge flow of guests for the coming three to four days. Apart from meeting family members and friends during the daytime, the most popular social gathering on this Eid is family barbeques.

New President of ACCA, Alexandra Chin pledges to inspire young finance professionals

The new President of ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and the first Malaysian to be elected to the role, Alexandra Chin, has pledged to inspire young finance professionals during her year in office.

Alexandra, who holds the prestigious honorary title ‘Datuk’ in Malaysia, has been in public practice since 1981 and has her own practice in Sabah, Malaysia. She is the fourth woman to be elected ACCA President.

Alexandra qualified as an ACCA member in 1986 and she has been a member of ACCA’s Council since 2005. Before being elected to Council, Alexandra was an International Assembly Member representing Malaysia from 2003 to 2005. She was also President of ACCA Sabah from 1999 to 2005.

Alexandra has been Chairman of ACCA’s Qualifications Committee and will chair ACCA’s Nominating committee during her year as President.

Besides ACCA, Alexandra, who is married to Datuk Peter Thien, has also been actively involved in various professional bodies and community organisations in Sabah.

These include the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (Sabah Branch) and the Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia (CTIM) Sabah Branch. She has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Sabah Park and as a Board Member of Sabah Sports Board.

“As the first Malaysian and only the fourth female President of ACCA I also want to focus on diversity, particularly in relation to open access and opportunities for thousands of people around the world.

ACCA’s new Deputy President is Brian McEnery, a partner in BDO Ireland and a specialist in corporate restructuring and healthcare consulting, while Leo Lee, a former director of Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), has become global Vice President.

A Road Trip across Sindh

If you’ve landed in Karachi, and you’re ready for an adventure, we’ve planned the perfect one for you. Explore Sindh in three days, and be prepared to be amazed!


Day One:

1. Mohatta Palace

The Mohatta Palace was built by Shivratan Chandraratan Mohatta, a Hindu businessman and was his summer home in 1927. He built the palace from the traditional stones of Rajasthan, pink Jodhpur and a local yellow stone.

2. Quaid e Azam’s Museum

Quaid-e-Azam Houseis also known as the “Flagstaff  House”. It was the former home of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan and was transformed into a museum in 1985.

3. Frere Hall

Frere Hall was built in honour ofSir Henry Bartle Edward Frere, who was known for making Sindhi, the official language of Sindh.

4. Chai Wala

Chai Wala is an upscale dhaba, offering Nutella parathas and a variety of classic Pakistani teas.

5. Clifton Beach

Clifton Beach was the world’s most popular silver sand beach, until 2003 when it was affected by an oil spill. The beach offers a few attractions including camel rides and horseback rides.

6. Kolachi

After a long day of sightseeing, enjoy a delicious meal along this seafront restaurant, with a beautiful view and calming Arabian Sea breeze.
Day Two:

1. Shah Jahan Mosque

The Shah Jahan Mosque was built in 1647, during the reign of Mughal King, Shah Jahan.  He built it for the people of Sindh, as a gift for their hospitality.

2. Makli Hills

The Makli hills are one of the largest ancient cemeteries in the world. It is the burial place of around 125,000 Sufi saints and rulers of the century.

3. Mohenjandaro

Mohenjandaro translates to Mount of the Dead, and was built in 2500 BCE. It is one of the largest settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization.

4. Sukkur for the night

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Day Three:

1. Sadh Belo

Sadh Belo is an island on Indus River, and there is aHindu templelocated there. It was founded in 1823 by Swami Bakhandi Maharaj Udasi, and is one of the main tourist attractions.

2. Sukkur Barrage

The Sukkur Barrage was built in 1932 and is used to control water flow in the River Indus. The Indus River dolphins are commonly spotted near the barrage.

3. Sukkur Barrage Museum

The Sukkur Barrage Museum is known as the Lloyd Barrage Museum. It is named in honour of Sir George Ambrose Lloyd, who launched the scheme to build the Barrage.

4. Ranikot Fort

The Ranikot Fort is known as the Great Wall of Sindh, and is recognized as the world’s largest fort.

5. Back to Karachi

Drive back to Karachi, and unwind in one of your favorite hotels. For more information, Visit Jovago.com for a pleasurable stay!

Sneak Preview of some exquisite Northern Cuisine’s

Here is the list of some exquisite mouth watering Northern Cuisine’s which one must try :-

1. Firni

Firni is a rice pudding that is served in an earthen dish. It is flavored with saffron and garnished with pistachios.

2. Kulcha

Kulcha breads are a popular breakfast item in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and are usually enjoyed with spicy cholay and a warm cup of tea.

3. Chapli Kabab

Chapli Kebabs are delicious deep-fried beef kababs, which are marinated with an exotic blend of spices.

4. Shomleh

Shomleh is a refreshing yoghurt based drink, infused with mint leaves.

5. Kabuli Palao

Kabuli Palao consists of steamed basmati rice, which is fused with fried carrots, nuts and raisins before being topped with lamb, chicken or beef.

6. Naan

Naan is cooked in a Tandoor and made from flour dough; it has a crispy shell and chewy core.

You can find these cuisines in almost all big cities like Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad. But the regions from which these cuisines originate, offer best of all tastes.

ACCA organizes session on Smart Finance Function

“A well developed finance function, technology use, and great leadership can transform an enterprise” – Arif Masud Mirza, Head of Policy MENASA, ACCA

The Association of Certified Chartered Accountants held an informative session on Smart Finance Function in Karachi. The event brought together the business community where they presented their case studies on the importance of investing in the finance function of an organization.

Arif Mirza (ACCA), Head of Policy MENASA - ACCA Pakisan, stressed on the importance of a well-developed finance function and how it will benefit the businesses. He also shed light on exploring great leadership, the best use of technology, and hiring and retaining the best talent that will transform enterprises’ operations making it increasingly smarter and fit for business.

Zeshan Afzal (FCCA), Group Head – Strategic Investments of Arif Habib Corporation, stressed on leadership as a crucial factor that makes everything work together seamlessly and helps create an effective work environment. He stated that “Top CFOs lead by example, proactively providing business insight and promoting a robust flow of information-sharing across a company”, as well as, “In a fast-changing world, high-value finance talent will seek out CFOs who have bold agendas for change, aligned to the organisations vision.”

Kamran Akhtar Hashmi (FCA, CFA), Head of Business Finance & Risk Management for BU Distribution, K-Electric Limited spoke about finance talent management and how it can be used effectively to champion change and turnaround in any organization. He shared that K-Electric’s turnaround case study was recognised at various international forums including the Harvard Business School and FT/ IFC; made possible, among other things, by embedding ACCA’s Competency Framework into the finance development programme. He stated that “The ACCA Competency Framework demonstrates how ACCAs can become an asset to any organisation and work diligently in accordance with the performance objectives that are mapped to their roles and aligned to the K – Electric’s overall vision.

Guest Speaker, Adamjee Yakoob (FCCA), CFO, Citibank, N.A. Pakistan promoted thought leadership on embedding technology in today’s corporate finance function. He stated that “a conscious effort is required by financial leaders to redefine the finance pyramid through a combination of finance and technology, thus forging a finance function that delivers financial performance rather than the old school reporting, control and financial operations.

Atir Ahsan, GM & Group CFO, Arthur Lawrence Pakistan highlighted the global finance transformation whereby “enterprise-wide business transformation, business process outsourcing and business applications implementation services through exceptional resources is adding value to businesses through reduced costs, access to better talent and technology and reduction of risks associated with ineffective in-house processes”.

Tips to stay healthy while traveling

While travelling, it is essential to follow a healthy routine that will ensure you have a guilt-free and enjoyable trip!\

Stay Active

When given the option, avoid using the escalators and elevators and opt for the stairs! Try running up the stairs, or walking two steps at a time. Small bursts of cardio are better than none.

Tip: If your flight is longer than an hour, escape the economy class syndrome by walking up and down the aisles every 45 minutes.

Don’t Over eat

On a holiday, overindulging in fatty foods may be tempting, but enjoy everything in moderation. Excessively consuming foods that are packed with carbohydrates and refined sugars is not only harmful for your body but can also accelerate weight gain.

Stay Hydrated

Long flights and drastic changes in weather conditions can cause severe dehydration. Always carry around a water bottle so you can replenish yourself to avoid feeling faint and nauseous.

 Re-stock the mini-fridge

Hotels tend to stock up their mini-fridges with a variety of chocolates and soft drinks. Carry around healthy snacks (nuts, fruits, dark chocolate), so you can re-stock your fridge and clear away all the processed food.

 Don’t forget your supplements!

Nourishing your body and your brain is the key to a healthy lifestyle. To accomplish this, carry your daily supplements with you when you travel, so your body will never be deprived!

 Sleep well

The perfect cure for stress and fatigue is a good night’s rest. Sleeping for at least 7-8 hours every night guarantees a fruitful day to follow, and is the first step to ensuring a healthy sleep cycle.

Fun Facts About KPK

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also known as KPK (formerly known as North-West Frontier Province), is one of the four provinces of Pakistan, located in the northwestern region of the country. The capital and largest city in KPK is Peshawar, followed by Mardan. KPK shares an international border with Afghanistan, and is connected via the Khyber Pass.

Some interesting facts about KPK

The second highest mountain peak in the world, K2, is located in these Northern Area.

The Karakoram Highway is the bridge between China and Pakistan, and has been constructed at a height of 15,397 ft. making it the highest paved international road in the world.

The highest polo ground in the World is located in Gilgit, Baltistan on the Shandur Top commonly referred to as the roof of the world.

The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa converse in a variety of languages such as Khowar, Hindko, Kohistani, Shina, Torwali, Kashmiri, Kalasha, Farsi and Kaghani.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is spread over 74,521 sq. km, and has a population of over 22 million!

The province is divided into three parts, one is composed of settled areas, the second is called FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas), the third is PATA (Provincially Administered Tribal Areas).

The province originally known as the North-West Frontier Province but was renamedKhyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2010.

The literacy rate of this region was recorded in 2012 to be 60.9%

Due to the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviets, Peshawar provided 3 million Afghan refugees with shelter.

The Perfect Selfie

To take your selfie game to the next level, here are a few of our favorite tips on how to make your selfie an unforgettable one!

Choosing an App

App developers have caught onto the selfie trend, and have created many great apps that render the selfie process more enjoyable. From the Apple Store to Google Play, you will be able to find a variety of applications that will help you perfect your selfie. The mos tpopular apps of 2015 are Snapchat, Retrica, YouCam, Frontback, Groopic and many more!

The Breathtaking Background

The key to taking a phenomenal selfie is to have an unparalleled backdrop. Be it the snow kissed mountains of Nathia Gali, the majestic waters of the Kaghan Valley or the scenic greenery ofAzad Kashmir, your selfie will be like no other!

Capturing the Selfie!

One selfie is usually never enough, and when you start it’s difficult to stop. To help make the process easier, invest in a selfie stick! This invention is a lifesaver and a game changer. Whether you’re alone or in a group, you’ll be able to capture it all!

A Journey to Bhit

Recently I had to attend a wedding near Hyderabad, and since there was a gap between the different events; I decided to take that opportunity to explore some nearby areas. A recent addition to my bucket list is to explore Sindh and learn about their specialties.

The first place I went to was Bhit Shah, also called “Bhit”, a small town located inMatiari district of Sindh, 34.7 miles away from Hyderabad. The place is very popular and is named after the famous Sindhi poet and Sufi, Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. It hardly took us an hour to reach there. The  town’s entrance is made of up two huge blue arches, and as soon as you go past that, in five minutes you are near the resting place of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai who is considered to be the best poet of the Sindhi language.

Outside the main shrine area are multitudes of shops selling a variety of things. We got a chadar or paarh, as called in Sindhi (sheet of cloth placed on the grave by the local people) and some niaz (sweet and savory food items to be distributed among the people inside). The niaz available ranged from dry fruits like cashews, almonds, raisins etc. to popcorn, sugar balls (khaand bhoogran, in sindhi) and dates.

The shops there not only sell food items, but also Sindhi traditional attire, jewelry, caps, local hand painted pottery, limestone toys, hand held fans and dhaabkis (flat plate-like pieces of dinnerware used for keeping bread). People usually buy souvenirs for their family and friends when they visit. Two things caught my eye in the colorful marketplace, a beautiful hand held fan and a very bright bread holder.

Finally we reached the gate where shoes were collected for safe keeping at a charge of 50 Pakistani rupees. Shoes off, we entered the shrine. Before we could got inside it, we had to buy some flowers as well for keeping at the burial site. Moving ahead we walked on the cool white marble to keep our feet from burning.

The mausoleum of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai is a magnificent structure with a single white central dome surrounded by many small minarets with intricate patterns in blue, white, green and yellow. Even in the scorching heat we had to stop and admire its beauty.

Inside the main burial room we paid our respects and distributed the niaz among people. As we were exiting the burial site, we could hear the local singers with their musical instruments singing folk pieces of music. Their voices and tunes were mesmerizing. We found a place near them in the shade, and sat down for half an hour and listened to their songs. This whole experience was immensely enjoyable. In all my previous visits to the place I had never heard the locals singing in their soothing voices.

With that, we started driving back to the city as we had another appointment there. The trip although short, was a very pleasurable experience for me.