Complete guide on the famous religious destinations in Pakistan

Pakistan is blessed with various landscapes that allure tourists to visit the country. Apart from these natural wonders, the country is home to various heritage sites that are important to people belonging to different faiths. As a result, Pakistan has seen a huge influx of religious tourists, over the years, who visit the country to perform pilgrimage of their respective Holy places.

In view of this, it won’t be wrong to say that Pakistan is on the bucket list of travelers belonging to various faiths. To help all those pilgrims out there, Jovago Pakistan brings a complete guide on the famous religious destinations in Pakistan.

• Gurdwara Janam Asthan

As the name suggests, this is the birthplace of Guru Nanak who was the founder of Sikhism and is therefore of utmost importance to Sikhs. It was constructed in 1600 CE and is situated at a distance of 75 kilometers from Lahore.

• Katasraj Temple

The stunning temple surrounded by crystal blue pond is a sacred site for the Hindu community. It is situated in the Katas village of Chakwal district. The pond is surrounded by Buddhist Stupa and Satghara, which comprises of seven ancient temples. It is believed that the pond possesses the power to wash away all the sins of a person if he baths in it.

• Patrick’s Cathedral

The 120 years old cathedral was constructed in Karachi by Gothic revival architecture. This large cathedral is capable of seating 2000 people at a single time. Due to its exquisite design, the Sindh Culture Heritage Protection Act has given it the status of a protected monument. The cathedral was visited by Mother Teresa in 1991.

• Hassan Abdal & Gurdwara Panja Sahib

Situated at a distance of 48 kilometers from Rawalpindi, this site is considered to be one of the most sacred places of Sikhs. This place got its name from the handprint, belonging to Guru Nanak,  that is imprinted on a rock placed in the center of the Gurdwara.

• Takht-i-Bahi

One of the most important sites that make up the Gandhara Valley Civilization, which is of great importance to Buddhism, Takht-i- Bahi means the Thrones of Origins. It is situated on a rocky ridge about 10 miles north-east of Mardan, KPK. It is believed that this monastic temple was constructed in the 2nd or 3rd century AD. Takht-i-Bahi was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980.

Jovago brings to you a complete guide on which Pakistani websites to look out for during this Black Friday

Black Friday is considered to be the largest shopping event worldwide as people start purchasing products, belonging to various categories, at crazy discounted prices. The sales and deals on Black Friday are unlike those that you come across on any other day of the year.  Black Friday falls on the last Friday of November. In the western world, this day marks the beginning of Christmas shopping spree.

Pakistan was also introduced to the magic of Black Friday in 2015, due to the emergence of the e-commerce industry. The Black Friday of 2016 will fall on 25 November. Therefore, to help you get the most out of this crazy shopping sale, Jovago Pakistan brings to you a complete guide on which websites to look out for during the Black Friday.

• Jovago Pakistan

Pakistan is in for a big treat this November as the pioneer of Black Friday in the country’s tourism industry is all set to bring you the best hotel deals at greater discounted prices. Jovago Pakistan, the country’s No 1 hotel booking website, has an inventory of over 2000 hotels in more than 150 cities of Pakistan. So start packing your bags and get ready to set out on an exciting enthralling trip to explore the beauty of Pakistan as Jovago Pakistan will offer discounts up to 50% on this Black Friday . The user-friendly app for all Android and IOS users make it more easier for you to avail this opportunity.

• Daraz.pk

The pioneer of Black Friday in Pakistan is all set to bring this year’s episode of the biggest sale in the country. With discounts of up to 70% on products including clothes, shoes, home appliances, smartphones and much more, Daraz will certainly leave every shopaholic thrilled. The countdown for the Black Friday sale has already begun on the website. The website  has also teamed up with brands including Telenor Easypay (an easy payment solution from EasyPaisa to help out eCommerce customers and sellers) .

• Kaymu

Another website to look for the best deals in town on this Black Friday is Kaymu, that  will be offering exclusive promotional discounts and sales to its customers.  24/7 customer service will be available to help you get hold of the best deals in town. It is advised to register your account prior to the Black Friday so that you don’t face the risk of your favorite products running out of stock.

With all the leading websites geared up to bring the best deals in town at the highest discounted prices ever, are you ready for the biggest shopping spree for this year? If you have information on any other websites that are giving out crazy discounts on  Black Friday 2016, then do share it with us in the comments section below.

A complete guide on the perfect Haunted places in Pakistan for Halloween

Who said that Halloween is just a Western Festival? These days, Halloween has become as much as a popular even in Asia, as it is in the West. If you are residing in Pakistan and considering possible places to commemorate Halloween in the years to come, this article is exactly meant for you.

Jovago, the No.1 hotel booking website of Pakistan brings to you a complete guide on the perfect haunted spots in Pakistan.

●     Mohatta Palace

Originally a summer house built by an Indian business in the British era, the famous Mohatta palace in Karachi now serves as a museum to display various artifacts. It is reported by museum’s guides that they have seen various objects shifting from their actual position. Although, it is said that the ghost of the businessman haunts the place, no harm to anyone has been reported.

●     Chowkandi Graveyard

Located on the National highway in Karachi, Chowkandi graveyard is considered to be one of the oldest necropolises in Pakistan. The graveyard is visited by no one after sunset because of the various paranormal citations that have been reported. It is also claimed that Black magic is performed here with the help of an animal’s head.

●     Koh-i-Chiltan Peak

An extension of the famous Hindu Kush range, the peak is said to derive its name from the Balochi word “Chiltan” which means forty bodies. According to a legend, a couple had 40 babies at a single time as a result of a priest’s prayer. The father left 39 babies on this peak to survive on their own, who then later stole the 40th baby from their parents. Since then, the peak is said to be haunted by these forty babies. It is considered to be the most haunted mountain in Pakistan.

●     Shamshan Ghat – Hyderabad

The 250-years old cemetery in Hyderabad is used as a burial site by Hindus. Guards have reported to seeing children coming out of nowhere at night and playing in the graveyard.

Just a word of caution before you all start visiting these haunted places. DO NOT go alone. If these places are really cursed by the evil spirits, then it is better to head out there in the form of group.Do not forget to share your experience with us in the comments section below.

Tourism facilities in Pakistan that will give you travel goals for 2016

The tourism industry of Pakistan is on its way to becoming one of the leading sectors of the country. The improved security condition, the launch of various startups and increase in foreign direct investments in the country are some factors which have served in boosting tourism in Pakistan.

Gone are the days, when people (both locals and foreigners) avoided traveling to and within Pakistan. With more and more hotels opening all over the country along with customized tours to different tourist spots, the inbound tourism has increased tremendously over the past few years. Moreover, the tourist facilities have also improved which in turn makes the country to be on the bucket list of travelers.

If you haven’t planned going on your vacation yet , then this exclusive article by Jovago Pakistan on the tourism facilities offered in the country will certainly give you travel goals for 2016.

• Travel Packages

As more and more tourists pour in the country to explore the diverse beauty of Pakistan, there has been an increase in the travel packages offered by the various tourism related companies. Jovago Pakistan, the no 1 hotel booking website of the country, has launched travel packages for various tourist destinations including Naran, Kaghan and Azad Kashmir.

• Infrastructure Development

The infrastructure in the country is improving amidst the famous China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The reconstruction of the popular Karakoram Highway, which is considered to be the eighth wonder of the world, has already successfully completed. This means that travelers can easily travel to popular tourists spots including Attabad Lake, Fairy Meadows which were almost inaccessible previously. Moreover, tourists from China and Central Asia can easily travel to Pakistan by road due to the construction of Karakoram Highway and other infrastructure projects.

• Launch of Smart Phone Application

The launch of various smartphone applications such as Jovago Pakistan’s app for Android and IOS users, has made it very easy to get hold of all information about traveling within Pakistan including hotels, prices etc. By downloading the application, you can easily compare various hotels on the basis of the price, quality, facilities etc.

• Opening of ATM at Khunjerab Pass

The Khunjerab Pass is a high mountain pass in the Karakoram mountain range. It is considered to be the gateway to China as it connects Gilgit-Baltistan with China’s Xinjiang region. Recently, at a height of 15500 feet, the world’s highest ATM was opened by the National Bank of Pakistan at Khunjerab Pass. The opening of this ATM will certainly make it easier for locals and tourist to carry out money related transactions.

ACCA launches innovations to its qualification to shape the future of global accountancy

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) today takes a major step forward in shaping the future of accountancy by unveiling major innovations to its Master’s level qualification, tailored to meet the strategic challenges of the 21^st century’s disruptive economy.

ACCA’s new ground-breaking design of its qualification draws on an extensive, two-year review and consultation with members, employers and learning providers.

Helen Brand OBE, chief executive of ACCA, says: ‘We’re updating the ACCA Qualification to give students the forward-thinking strategic abilities and advanced skill-set required of modern professional accountants who will shape the future of global business.’

New developments

ACCA’s latest innovations to its qualification are new Strategic Professional exams which will replace the existing Professional level exams in September 2018 and a new Ethics and Professional Skills module, which will be introduced in 2017.

The redesign enhances the breadth and depth of the qualification, with greater focus on employability and the practical application of core skills in the contemporary workplace and includes:

·         Strategic Business Leader – an innovative case study exam, based on a realistic business scenario. This gives students the skills and technical expertise required by modern business where decisions need to be made, measured and effectively communicated to the wider organisation.

·         Strategic Business Reporting – a new exam exposing students to the wider context of finance and business reporting, giving them the vital skills needed to explain and communicate to stakeholders the implications of transactions  and reporting.

·         An Ethics and Professional Skills module - making modifications to the existing ethics module which ACCA was the first professional body to offer to students in 2008. This new module will equip them with the professional skills that are needed in the modern workplace.

Added to these developments, ACCA also offers the world’s first Master’s degree integrated with a professional accountancy qualification, delivered in partnership with the University of London. This unique arrangement means students can take the Master’s route while completing their Strategic Professional exams, or take the Master’s degree after the ACCA Qualification.

Sajjeed Aslam, Head of ACCA Pakistan at the launch event in Pakistan highlighted, ‘The ACCA Qualification is the only professional accountancy qualification which combines local relevance with international best practice. This means that our members are able to work at the highest level in any industry in any sector. In a globalised world this unique feature offers a real edge and benefit to employers.’

The chief guest Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha at the launch event stated, ‘ACCA is recognised as an organisation with a reputation for innovation, vision and leadership in the profession. Churning out professionals with strong ethical grounding will in turn help business grow and the economy flourish.’

Jovago compiles a list of the places you absolutely can’t afford to miss while visiting Punjab

Punjab is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of population and the second largest province in terms of area. The province provides a stunning portrait of various colors of life. Be it the lush greenery that seems to have no boundaries or the mighty rivers that flow and later on merge as one river, Punjab has got it all.

To help people, who will be traveling to the beautiful province in the near future, to get the most out of their visit, Jovago Pakistan has compiled a list of all the stunning places in Punjab.

• Noor Mahal

The stunning white pearl palace, made by the Nawab of Bahawalpur for his wife, serves as an enthralling representation of modern architecture. The Palace is currently used by Pakistan Army as a guest house.

• Lahore Fort

Also known as the Shahi Qila, this fort is one of the most prominent buildings of the Mughal architecture. It is not only one of the most popular tourist spots in Lahore but it is also on the list of Unesco’s World Heritage Sites.

• Harappa

One of the two archeological sites of the famous Indus Valley civilization, Harappa is located in the floodplain of River Ravi. It is situated at a distance of approximately 35 kilometers from the city of Sahiwal.

• Wagah border

Wagah border, situated on the Great Trunk Road, serves as a separation of the Pakistani side of the Punjab from the Indian Punjab. It is not only an important Pakistani landmark but it also is a popular tourist spot. Every evening, the flag lowering ceremony of the Pakistani and Indian flags takes place which is attended by a large number of people.

• Ghanta Ghar

Known as the Clock Tower in English, this site is an important tourist destination in the city of Faisalabad. It is among those oldest surviving monuments belonging to the period of British rule. Located in the older part of the city, the clock tower is at the center of Faisalabad’s eight markets.

• Khewra salt mines

The city of Khewra is home to the world’s second largest salt mines. It is located in the district of Jhelum. The salt mines have an electric train that takes tourists on a tour of the place. Tourists take stunning salt carvings back home, to  remind them of the beautiful mines.

Jovago compiles a complete guide about Makli Hills

Pakistan is a country which is not only known for its rare natural beauty but also known for the rich history that it possesses. The rich history is depicted by the various parts of culture including the architecture, traditions, food etc.

Various sites which have served as the home for different civilizations and are thereby, of great historical importance can be seen in Pakistan. Makli hills are one of these famous historical sites, which serve as a beautiful and rich reminder of the past. Therefore, Jovago Pakistan has compiled a complete guide about Makli Hills for all those history lovers out there.

Location

Makli Hills are located at one-kilometer distance from the city of Thatta, which was the capital of the Islamic Civilization. The hills are located near the peak of the Indus River’s delta.

Description

The Makli Hills are home to the largest graveyard in the world. Thereby, the place is popularly known as the Makli graveyard or the city of silence. The graveyard is spread over an area of about 16 kilometers and is said to be the resting place of more than a million people including various nobles, saints, scholars, soldiers etc belonging to the different eras.

As the River Indus changed its course over the time, the once fertile land of Makli has now turned into a dry, arid landscape. This is one reason why this historical site has deteriorated over time.

Distinguishing Features

• The Makli Graveyard is among UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.
• This necropolis has a unique style of the graves, which are made out of brick or stone. While some of the graves are beautifully decorated with glazed tiles, others are made in a building like structure i.e. one over the other.
• The tombs of saints are embossed with verses of the Holy Quran, whereas the graves of warriors have carvings of weapons such as dagger and swords.
• It is the resting ground of people belonging to different eras and different civilizations and so it is of great importance to historians, architects, archaeologists, calligraphists etc.