Fascinating Facts About Pakistan

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The Indus Valley Civilization, which blossomed around the Indus river and delta, is one of the world’s oldest societies, whose traces in the form of constructions, relics and fossils are preserved today at the site of their cities and in many museums around the world. The Indus civilization – peak population five million – was one of the earliest three civilizations of the old world, along with the ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians, the Indus being the most widespread. It was comprised of dozens of well-planned cities and towns with baths, urban drainage and water supply systems, and many large nonresidential buildings grouped together, indicating government systems. The locals of the valley invented new types of handicrafts and metallurgy, many of which were still intact when excavated along with children’s toys and a few weapons.

Pakistan’s killer K2 (or Godwin Austin) is the world’s second highest peak, and is part of the Greater Himalaya Mountain range also known as the Karakoram Range, which extends into China and India. The world’s third highest (Tirich Mir) is also found in Pakistan’s Hindu Kush Range. This way, three of the world’s highest mountain ranges – the Himalaya, the Greater Himalaya and the Hindu Kush are all found in Pakistan, making it a premier destination for serious mountaineers and winter sport professionals.

Pakistan’s superior position in Asia makes it a center of trade in the region, something that’s expected to increase further in the coming years as the country works hand in hand with China on a CPEC plan to develop the infrastructure of the Gwader port at Arabian Sea, Balochistan, which is the largest natural deep port of the world. The port will act as a portal for western China and possibly for the landlocked central Asian countries through the important sea route of the strait of Hormuz.

Also called the eighth wonder of the world, or the China-Pakistan friendship highway, the Karakoram Highway is the highest road ever built. The road runs for 800mi (1,287km) from Abbottabad in Pakistan to Kashgar in Xinjiang, West China. The highest point of the road lies at the Khunjerab Pass at 4,800m (15,748ft). Every turn of the highway is accompanied by incredible views as the path runs though hills, mountains, valleys, glaciers and along lakes and rivers.

Pakistan’s Edhi Foundation proudly runs the world’s largest volunteer ambulance service, which is a record that has been held by Pakistan since 1997. Headquartered in Karachi, the foundation runs a 24 hour emergency ambulance service, as well as providing other services like shelter for the homeless, free health care, drug rehabilitation, orphanage and adoption services, and local and international disaster relief. In 2005 the foundation donated $100,000 in aid for the relief efforts of Hurricane Katrina. Started by the late Abdul Sattar Edhi as a single room shelter, the foundation now operates over 300 centers throughout Pakistan.

It was the British back in the days of colonial rule who grew impatient with the waiting time for the shipments of footballs, and so tried out local repairs for punctured balls. Pleased with the results, they placed some manufacturing orders, which kick-started an industrial journey to becoming the largest football-producer in the world today.

Since most of Pakistan’s population depend on a livelihood in agriculture, the country had to develop a complex (and massive) system of irrigation to cultivate 202,000 sqkm of land. The system runs on the Indus Basin.

Khewra Mines of Pakistan produce 325,000 tons of salt per year and are fabled to be discovered by Alexander’s Army through chance when their horses began licking the salts while troops rested, thus resulting in the discovery of the modern world’s second largest salt mine. The mammoth mines have over 24mi (40km) of tunnels along with their own mosque inside. Salty miniature versions of the Great Wall of China, Minar-e-Pakistan and Badshahi Mosque are also found inside.

Located at Shandur Top is the highest polo ground at 3,700m (12,139ft), where the traditional game of polo was started by Balti Prince Ali Sher Khan. Held annually since 1936, the Shandur Polo Festival is a tournament between local teams that invites visitors to view the game along with shows of folk music, dance and celebration. The tournament is featured in the opening episode of The Himalayas with Michael Palin.