Munaza Kazmi

If a country like Switzerland can earn several billion dollars from tourism, Pakistan can certainly take meaningful steps to attract tourists. However, for transforming Pakistan into tourism it requires some practical steps to create a culture of tourism which requires a mindset of locals, tour operators, hotels and authorities attached with the ministry of tourism.

Let’s understand the “Culture of Tourism”. By the word culture it means, philosophy, background or refinement and here it comes in the area of tourism, it means how we can refine then promote it. However, it can be done by following four simple and significant steps.

First, the attitude and behavior of those who are delivering the guidance and facilities to tourists. The vision, how they see Pakistan, what they project to the world.

Second, observance to the standards of cleanliness and hygiene at restaurants, cafes, toilets and hotels at tourist attraction spots. Which is obviously a striking issue, I can give my personal experience of Murree, Northern area and even motorway resting areas where using public toilet is the disaster, even the paid ones, moreover the sitting areas, eating desks are disgusting.

I really want to see Nagarparkar, Chitral and Kalash however cannot due to the fear of non-availability of fine hotels. This factor I believe is of grave importance since it creates a very negative impression of tourist.

Third, availability of economic accommodation, food and basic necessities. Since, it a known fact that in every tourist season, the hotel owners take advantage of the situation and charge excessive rates. Ironically there’s no check on the part of concerned authorities.

Let’s say Pearl Continental Burban on New Year’s Eve charged me 45,000 for micro room, like a train compartment. Another thing I wanted to ask from the Hotel Association, “when you guys are operating in Pakistan then why charging in dollars?” The examples can be seen almost all over Pakistan.

Conclusively, I would say in Pakistan there is completely the absence of tourism culture and it has much to do with corruption and inefficiency on the part of tourism departments in various provinces of the country who are mostly irresponsible in their duties, taking bribery from under the table and having lack proper training on providing concentrated facilities to tourists at affordable prices.

Disgracefully, that unlike India, China, the UAE and Sri Lanka, where there is a culture of tourism, one can observe the absence of proper work ethics and pursuance of a professional approach to attract foreign tourists.

Truly, reasoning the COVID-19 pandemic tourist industry all over the world has suffered however such a crisis should have been used as an opportunity by articulating short- and long-term policies to train those who are related to the tourism industry.

In the year 2020 and early 2021, tourist places in Pakistan were closed and only reopened during the summer of 2021. It brought the rush in tourist destinations during the summer which led to the shortage of accommodation and overcharging of hotel accommodation.

For international tourists, Pakistan is an appealing destination with spellbinding attractiveness of landscape, diverse culture, historical heritage sites besides places of religious importance. Known for its extraordinary peaks, in North with silvery glaciers, heart shaped lakes, cold desert and pine forests with which not only local but international tourism can flourish.

Likewise, the historical sites of Taxila, Mohenjo-Daro, Indus Civilization and glorious Lahore. The deserts of Tharparkar and Nagarparkar in Sindh and Cholistan in Punjab, as well as the coast of Gwadar and Karachi, particularly the magical sights Makran, including Spinix and Princess of Hope in Balochistan, and most importantly the regional foods.

Major requirement is the make sure that adequate facilities are provided. Along there are few more issues to reconsider.

Mainly the Corruption which give birth to “tourist mafia” that is very common practice in North, acts of cheating, fraud and overcharging have been in recorded by numerous travels, plus the inability better to say failure of providing proper infrastructure, let’s say road to Khaplu in Sarkdu is more than dangerous since its broken at several places. And the road to Lake Saiful Muluk, why it’s never been considered? Because of “Jeep Mafia” indeed.

Another thing I should mention is the tourism education required attention for the population, which will enhance the ideology as well as hospitality for the international travelers.

As we all can understand how uncomfortable a person would be if he/she may become a center of attention for every passer, we lock our sisters and daughters behind walls and took pleasure in disrespecting the privacy of others. I wonder when Pakistanis would learn this.

In my opinion hectic efforts should be made both at federal and provincial levels to create the culture of tourism by taking measures which have been highlighted above.

When there was civil war going on in Sri Lanka from 1983 till 2009 and foreign tourism dropped, the government encouraged local tourism which tried to bridge the gap in income from foreign tourism.

Pakistan needs to promote homegrown tourism and take practical steps to provide safety, security, privacy, better hygienic, infrastructure and accommodation facilities so that both local and foreign tourism may uplift.

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Munaza Kazmi holds MPhil in Management Sciences (Bahria University Islamabad, 2020). She’s a travel writer, an author, & co-author of scientific contributions in national & international publications. Her main areas of research include tourism & quality management.

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Munaza Kazmi

A dramatic, dusty and daring drive that unnerved a traveler with its marvelous encounters, winding its way through some of the untouched parts of Pakistan, from the deserted regions where windswept erosion has created an unusual natural wonder, “Princess of Hope”; a princess standing in the hope of finding her love of life, to the enchanting golden beaches  overlooking the blue shores of the Arabian Sea, to the Spinix of Pakistan watchingevery travelers and guarding the glory.

Am talking about Makran Coastal Highway, the 653 km N10 highway running transversely by the coastal line of Arabian Sea. With diverse landscapes it has a strategic meaning for Pakistan, since it links the Gwadar port to the entire of Baluchistan, then to Karachipassing through the towns of Ormara and Pasni.

While driving on the highway, you would be watching over to most dramatically diverse, magicaland mysterious landscapes. Once passing through vast stretches of deserts, greeting dust cyclones in the distance, the highway silks away casually around the deep blue waters with clean white foam, sparkling peals and golden beaches. It is home to the charming sunrises on the horizon and sunsets that bask everything in gold in the frame of wild Siberian birds.

In a moment from the dusty sandstorms you would be flying with pelicans and racing with dolphins, such a diversity here and again. Moving forward, slowly distancing from the seashore, the highway takes you into the territory of Hingol National Park, the largest of Pakistan, housing the precious and rare wild life including leopards, gazelles, ibexes and crocodilesetc to the ‘Princess of Hope’ and Spinix.

Meanwhile, you might observe the Hindu pilgrims who travel miles to the Shrine of “Hinglaj Mata”, which is guarded by ibexes and crocodiles in its mountain seat on the banks of the Hingol River. Wandering further through the mysterious hills, trying to endorse the possibility of possessing South Asia’s largest and highest active mud volcano, the road takes you tosay hello to camels and the distinctive Makranis of African descent.

Makran Coastal Highway provokes the mind to probe deeper and search for the hidden secrets that the mountains echo, the winds whisper and the sands so gracefully obscure.

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Munaza Kazmi holds MPhil in Management Sciences (Bahria University Islamabad, 2020). She’s a travel writer, an author, & co-author of scientific contributions in national & international publications. Her main areas of research include tourism & quality management.

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Munaza Kazmi

Gilgit-Baltistan is, perhaps, the most spectacular region of Pakistan in terms of its geography and scenic beauty. Moreover, it is strategically close to the heart of Central Asia and is the hub of the world’s greatest mountain ranges. The Karakoram, The Himalaya, The Hindukush, and The Pamir radiate out from this center like spokes on a wheel. 

This array of mountains has carefully guarded Pakistan’s frontiers with China, India, Afghanistan and across the narrow Wakhan corridor. Rich in history, culture and natural beauty the area has been visited for centuries by travelers; both modern day tourists and ancient travelers from the Silk Road. It also remained for many years a focal point of political and military rivalries amongst the Russian, British and Chinese empires.

Gilgitthe capital of Gilgit-Baltistan known as Asia’s wonderland stands as the paradise when it comes to describing the beauty. Also, the region holds much significance on ground of linking Pakistan with China and Central Asia. Moreover, in past it was a major hub for Buddhism.

Gilgit is a dazzling mountainous valley situated at an elevation of 1,500 meters, which make the topography and climate quiet extreme. However, due to the smooth working of Karakoram Highway, and Gilgit Airport one can easy reach Gilgit,

For every kind traveler the city has a package, there’s nature, history, adventure, discovery, and luxury. Common language is Balti, instead I would say “Hospitality”.

Besides the supreme astonishing fact is, the region has one of the highest literacy rates as compared to other similar districts in Pakistan due to the influence of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, whom most of the populace follow as their spiritual leader, I had seen an equal number of girls wearing school uniforms on top women working side by side with men. I had found them in almost every fragment of market let’s say selling jewels, on tea stalls, in self-operated restaurants, in fields, and even in hotel “Gilgit Serena” where I was staying. This I found very remarkable!

Gilgit Serena Hotel located on SherullahBaig Road is in close proximity from bus stand and airport is a gorgeous resort property in the cradle of glittering Karakoram mountain range was my home for next few days. Today after a year the memories of Elegantly chic building with floral lawns stretching on a massive area, natural water fountains, my early mooring walks in the bloomy gardens, picking juicy apples, tasting red strawberries, running after baby squirrels and that afternoon joys of swing makes me think of planning for another.

Into the glittering shadow of the stunning Karakoram mountain range, Gilgit Serena Hotel recaptures the warmth and charm of a long-ago mountain retreat, allowing visitors to experience the legendary region in a most authentic way while enjoying modern day amenities. 

The Hotel offers new experiences and discoveries amid an ancient setting. Where nature lovers can explore the snow-capped beauty of the Karakoram mountain range while enjoying superlative local cuisine in heritage-style. 

Furthermore, perfect attention to detail and an eye for local design and décor had been given that creats a warm, inviting shelter after a day of adventure. Every interior and furnishing of the room display the aura of pure Gilgiti-culture.Give your skin a new life by having a refreshing bath in the adjacent shower room, equipped with contemporary amenities. Later in the evening, grab a cup of coffee and step out onto the private balcony, I bet you would be enslaved by the captivating views of Shiny Mount Rakaposhi, Kaleidoscopic Danyore Village, and Dancing Gilgit and Hunza Rivers.

In total The Hotel have 43 rooms and suites merges modern comfort with traditional refinement. Beside bed and bath, all accommodations feature minibars, mini refrigerators, work desks, 24-hour room service, private balconies and most significant to remember all rooms are smoke free.

Executive Suits: Spacious 707-square-foot Executive Suits, designed for travelers seeking more space, features a king bed, separate lounge, and a private balcony with outdoor.

Deluxe Rooms: Handsomely designed, these 41 rooms offers one king or two twin beds, a work desk, internet, a safe deposit box and attached bath.

Hence you can tailor the visit according to your requirement.

Dinning

For Dinning Gilgit Serena Hotel is the perfect choice, on my first visit I thanked my friend for the recommendation. It’s a treat for all 5 senses, the fabulousTraditional environment, the aroma of freshly baked bread, the hospitable staff, delightful food and the dazzling view of Mount Rakaposhi. Moreover, Hotel offers authentic Pakistani delights including local regional dishes, complemented by innovative Chinese and Continental specialties. Inviting surroundings.

Gilgit Serena Hotel features a splendid restaurant to enchant every palate, with ambience as unique and inspiring as the cuisine. Whether you are looking to indulge in a lavish buffet or Afternoon High Tea on Sunday, unforgettable dining experiences await. 

Furthermore, all meals at the hotel feature fresh ingredients some from Hotel’s very own fruit orchards and organic vegetable garden, providing you with the unique opportunity to savor some of the best cuisine in the region.

Dumanni Restaurant

Renowned throughout Gilgit for its Pakistani, Continental and Chinese cuisine. I enjoyed the lavish food with views of the hotel’s lawns, mountains and the live playing of Rubab and Tabla on the unforgettable tune of Shahrukh’s “Baazighar”.

Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, though on Sunday, a High Tea is accompanied by buffet and a la carte service. However, Breakfast is complimentary for all the hotel guests. 

Garden BBQ

From May through September, Garden BBQ features everything from seafood to local chicken and beef specialties, under the shade of native trees.The sounds of traditional live music and the water channel’s gentle cascade offer an enchanting backdrop for a classical dining experience.

In-Room Dinning

Well sometimes, enjoying food in the privacy of our cozy room or a Monarch-like feel of dinning in the private balcony is what I would love. In the Hotel, around the clock the service is available.

Framed by traditional wood architecture, awe-inspiring views of the snow-capped Karakoram Mountain Range and lush organic orchards and gardens, Gilgit Serena Hotel is the most unique and beautiful hotel in the Gilgit Valley. 

Merging the finest of local culture and heritage with personalized service, hotel offers exclusive and immersive experiences designed to make your holiday an unforgettable experience. Whether you wish to visit one of Gilgit’s three hanging bridges, picnic by the Jutial Stream or ski the slopes of Naltar, the staff will help you experience all the wonders Gilgit-Baltistan has to offer. 

During my visit I learned about “Karighar” a CSR project of Serena Hotel, a vocational center that established back in the year 2016, has been making a significant contribution to provide entrepreneurship training to various segments of communities mainly women in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, for a sustainable growth and quality of life.

On my visit I found Karigharan economic lift-up, empowering the community in this remote region to supplement the household income by providing them with education and training related to bee-farming, besides stitching and embroidery.

This is not just a hotel but a value chain, however, after visiting Gilgit Serena Hotel, where hospitality is culture and tradition, I understood why it has been said.

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Munaza Kazmi holds MPhil in Management Sciences (Bahria University Islamabad, 2020). She’s a travel writer, an author, & co-author of scientific contributions in national & international publications. Her main areas of research include tourism & quality management.

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Munaza Kazmi

Joined by China, Afghanistan, Iran and India -- and with a population of more than 200 million people -- it's no surprise that Pakistan is a country of geographical and linguistic diversity. 

However, there's common ground to be found in the cuisine. 

Overall Pakistanis are passionate about their cuisine, which is full of flavor and bursting with color. And they just love eating. Food is among the most significant! Even we have foods for different occasions and from different regions.

Tea

However, a habit of Colonial-Past, Pakistan is a nation of tea lovers, and there are several varieties of tea on offer from Kawa, Karak chai, Masala chai to Gulabi chai. Adding tea leaves into the boiling cup of water.

Tea is a social drink bringing everyone together, often served with savory dishes such as samosa, pakora or paratha.

Pakoras

These easy-to-make crispy, fried fritters are a classic finger food served as a starter or a side dish with the sweet cup of tea. Also, it’s our Pakistan’s sweetheart dish in Ramazan.

Vegetables are thinly sliced before being soaked in a seasoned and spice gram flour batter and then fried for a few minutes. 

Grab them while they are hot. If you prefer a meatier option, chicken pakoras are also on menu. 

Paratha

Abroad bread is eaten cold, here it’s always hot and comes with different flavors. Pakistanis make a range of perfect melt-in-your-mouth flatbreads including roti and naans but the paratha, made with clarified butter or ghee is a particularly delicious indulgence. 

Eaten for breakfast, you can go for the plain option but there are also various fillings to choose from including mincemeat, potato, spinach, and cauliflower paratha etc.

Kebabs

There are many types of kebabs in Pakistani cuisine. Such as the popular seekh kebab, which is ground meat grilled on skewers. The highly favorite chapli kebab, name is taken from the Pashto word “chaprikh” which means “flat”. It comes from the flat shape of minced meat slices, dish of the North – You can taste the flavors of coriander and pomegranate seeds in this tasty recipe.

And the shami kebab, small patties made with minced meat mixed with split chickpeas, finely chopped onion, mint, green chilli and egg to hold it all together. 

Gol Gappa

A popular street food having roots with Bangladesh, was once sold by cart-pushing vendors. However, with the growing trend fast food restaurants you can enjoy it along the ambience.

The round shell is made with semolina and fried. Once it cools and becomes brittle, a hole is created and filled with a mixture of tamarind chutney, chilli, chaat masala, potato, onion and chickpeas. It is served with a bowl of spicy tamarind dip. Try, and you will crave it back home.

Biryani

Created in the royal kitchens of the 16th-19th century Mughal Empire by BeghumMumtaz Mahal, aimed to create a delicious, nutritious and wholesome dish for the soldiers in her husband Emperor Shahjahan's army.

Today it is among the most celebrated dishes in Pakistan and often served on special occasions. 

Made with lamb or beef but chicken biryani is a favorite. However, Karachi city is famous for the bone marrow Biriyani version.

The meat and rice are cooked separately before being layered and cooked together with an assortment of spices. 

Kabuli Pulao

Nevertheless, Kabuli Pulao is a specialty of Afghan cuisine, but it is very common in Pakistan. Kabul’s families made it first with tender meat, raisins, nuts, rice, and caramelized carrots.

Silk Road traders brought it from Afghanistan to western Pakistan, and it gradually spread throughout the country.

Nihari

“Narha” an Arabic word that means “Morning”, perhaps that’s the reason it is a must have breakfast dish. It used to be left to simmer and cook overnight to be served at sunrise. Logically it’s so rich that surely it will fill your stomach.

The food was born in Old Delhi, including lamb shanks, mutton, including the bone marrow as the main complements. It is also usually served with rice or naan.

Haleem

Served mostly in Breakfast and Lunch, but popular in the Holy Muharram, originated from Middle East, Indian Sub-continent and Central Asia. Warm and comforting, this dish may look simple enough, but a combination of lentils, wheat, barley and minced beef are slow-cooked for overnight in gentle spices to get sticky consistency. 

Paya

This warming goat curry, with a soup-like consistency, is often eaten on cold winter mornings.  Again, slow-cooking it will ensure that all the spices have infused into the perfectly tender meat. 

Halwa poori and Channa

An essential part of Punjabi breakfast, the combination of a poori which is light and fluffy, is served with the rich tasting halwa and chickpea curry. 

Charga

For the lovers of chicken Chargha is a fantastic suggestion. This recipe combines chicken, spices, and yogurt to make a distinctive and delicate flavor.

Its name “Chargha” means chicken in Pushto, and it is an invention in Lahore city, Pakistan. You can choose from the Tandoori Chargha version with roasted chicken or the traditional deep-fried chicken version.

Khadda Kebab

It is traditional Balochi dish and my favorite, Pakistani’s eat likes their Emperors. The whole mutton is very slowly cooked into the mud furnace by first stuffing with carrots and raisin rice. The aroma and taste are worth of waiting.

Dumpukht

The mild and delicious recipe found its origins in the Royal Mughal Kitchens, lamb shanks steamed for about 6-7 hours in dough-sealed pot along seasonal vegetables and salt. After cooking Served mostly with white rice. You can have them easily in Peshawar or any Desi restaurant across Pakistan.

Kadhi Pakora

If you are vegetarian, Pakistani Cuisine offers a variety of delicious treats.Kadhi Pakora is one of the choices you should consider. This delicious yogurt curry is a combination of gram flour, fritters, and spices that will add flavor to this food.

Smooth and consistent texture will make your taste buds fall in love with this food. The recipe originates from Rajasthan and is popular in Pakistan and India. People often combine it with rice or roti for dinner.

Smoked Eggplant

Another vegan delight, so tasty, simple and quick to make. 

A masala base is created by frying onions, tomatoes, with spices, and mixing with roasted eggplant in the oven, that gives the dish a smoky flavor.

Daal Tarka

A quite simple dish of lentils served with cumin rice, mostly common in Punjab. When the lentils are thoroughly cooked, the tarka is applied; onions, cumin seeds and crushed garlic cloves are fried until brown in a separate pan and added to the lentils without stirring. It makes a sizzling sound as the tarka mixture hits the lentils.

Gajrela

Gajrela is made using a combination of grated carrots, nuts, milk, sugar, boiled eggs, khoya and clarified butter. 

This flavorful dessert often makes an appearance at weddings.

Matanjan

Dating back to Mughal India. This was a sweetheart of Emperors. An eye-catching multicolor dessert, made with sugar, milk, sweet meat, food coloring and flavored with cardamoms, raisins, pistachios and various dry-fruits.

Sheer Khurma

Another dessert eaten at weddings or on Eid al Fitr, the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. 

Sweet and milky dish is slow-cooked using milk, vermicelli, sugar, infused with cardamom and topped with crushed pistachios.

I am sure you had found another reason to visit Pakistan. Have a nice Holiday.

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Munaza Kazmi holds MPhil in Management Sciences (Bahria University Islamabad, 2020). She’s a travel writer, an author, & co-author of scientific contributions in national & international publications. Her main areas of research include tourism & quality management.

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