05-27-2008, 07:04 AM
<b>Pakistan Revisited â III Murree and the Saudi Aspiration
Tariq A. Al-Maeena, [email protected] </b>
http//arabnews.com/?page=9§ion=0&article=109871&d=14&m=5&y=2008&pix=community.jpg&category=Features
On the day the Saudi media delegation was to take off for a road trip to Murree, my colleague from Al-Watan newspaper Nasser Habtar insisted we drop in to pay our respects to the Saudi ambassador prior to our journey. Nasser had come to know him well during his previous journey to Pakistan when he was stationed to cover the Afghan war.
Off to the diplomatic quarters we went, a guarded and gated enclave that houses most of the embassies in Islamabad. We were greeted warmly by the Saudi ambassador, Ali Awadh Al-Aseeri, a very personable individual who immediately made us feel at home with his warm and welcoming demeanor.
Over Arabic coffee and dates, Al-Aseeri reiterated the Kingdomâs stand on Pakistan. âThe Pakistanis are our brothers. We wish many things for them. Among them are a politically stable Pakistan, a united Pakistan, a strong and safe Pakistan and a sovereign Pakistan. The Kingdom stands ready to provide whatever support is needed by our brothers.â Such aspirations I might add are indeed on the minds of many Saudis, both in and out of the country.
Begging off his gracious offer for a lunch in our honor, we explained that we had a road trip to take to Murree, a hill station about two to three hours away depending on who was doing the driving and how frequently one wanted to stop and take in the breathtaking scenery. We wanted to get there before sundown.
Murree is a hill station some 2,300 meters above sea level. The road from Islamabad was winding and narrow as we traversed up the mountains. It was not long before the cool air had us turn off the air-conditioner in our vehicle. The sites before us as we kept moving up were comparable to some scenic sites in the mountainous regions of Europe.
As we passed several villages along the way, I could not help but marvel at the lack of potholes and diversions that we are so accustomed to back in Jeddah. And all this in a country, which many Saudis consider a âthird worldâ! Perhaps they should reconsider and very quickly.
Originally set as a British retreat during summer months during the days of the Raj, Murree today hosts Pakistanis and others wishing to enjoy its climate, scenery and tranquility. The government of Punjab has not failed to take notice of the potential of promoting Murree as an international tourist resort, and I am told that plans are in the offing for increased upscale lodgings and other facilities.
Along the way we happened upon a chair lift that seemed to shoot up treacherously along the sides of the mountains. The group wanted to experience this ride, and although I am not particularly fond of heights, I went along. I must confess however that halfway up that ride that stretches for several kilometers, panic started to set in as the grounds below kept receding further away. Were it not for the comforting presence of my chair lift companion Tarek Mishkhas from Urdu News, I would have probably passed out. If you are reading this Tarek, I owe you one!
Once we reached the top of the ride and with very weak knees, I took in the beautiful sites before us. The unspoiled natural splendor prompted all of our delegation to vow that we would return soon and with our families.
Our hotel was the Pearl Continental, some 30 minutes past Murree proper in Bhurban, of fame recently for the Bhurban declaration signed between Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari. It was here that they signed a joint declaration for the return of the deposed judges by April 30 of this year.
Located at an altitude of 2,000 meters at the foothills of the Himalayas, the hotel is aesthetically nestled within the natural surroundings, and was indeed a welcome stop after our long ride. Far from the bustle of the capital city and with a sated stomach, the serenity of beautiful Murree soon had us tucked in comfortably for the night.
Tariq A. Al-Maeena, [email protected] </b>
http//arabnews.com/?page=9§ion=0&article=109871&d=14&m=5&y=2008&pix=community.jpg&category=Features
On the day the Saudi media delegation was to take off for a road trip to Murree, my colleague from Al-Watan newspaper Nasser Habtar insisted we drop in to pay our respects to the Saudi ambassador prior to our journey. Nasser had come to know him well during his previous journey to Pakistan when he was stationed to cover the Afghan war.
Off to the diplomatic quarters we went, a guarded and gated enclave that houses most of the embassies in Islamabad. We were greeted warmly by the Saudi ambassador, Ali Awadh Al-Aseeri, a very personable individual who immediately made us feel at home with his warm and welcoming demeanor.
Over Arabic coffee and dates, Al-Aseeri reiterated the Kingdomâs stand on Pakistan. âThe Pakistanis are our brothers. We wish many things for them. Among them are a politically stable Pakistan, a united Pakistan, a strong and safe Pakistan and a sovereign Pakistan. The Kingdom stands ready to provide whatever support is needed by our brothers.â Such aspirations I might add are indeed on the minds of many Saudis, both in and out of the country.
Begging off his gracious offer for a lunch in our honor, we explained that we had a road trip to take to Murree, a hill station about two to three hours away depending on who was doing the driving and how frequently one wanted to stop and take in the breathtaking scenery. We wanted to get there before sundown.
Murree is a hill station some 2,300 meters above sea level. The road from Islamabad was winding and narrow as we traversed up the mountains. It was not long before the cool air had us turn off the air-conditioner in our vehicle. The sites before us as we kept moving up were comparable to some scenic sites in the mountainous regions of Europe.
As we passed several villages along the way, I could not help but marvel at the lack of potholes and diversions that we are so accustomed to back in Jeddah. And all this in a country, which many Saudis consider a âthird worldâ! Perhaps they should reconsider and very quickly.
Originally set as a British retreat during summer months during the days of the Raj, Murree today hosts Pakistanis and others wishing to enjoy its climate, scenery and tranquility. The government of Punjab has not failed to take notice of the potential of promoting Murree as an international tourist resort, and I am told that plans are in the offing for increased upscale lodgings and other facilities.
Along the way we happened upon a chair lift that seemed to shoot up treacherously along the sides of the mountains. The group wanted to experience this ride, and although I am not particularly fond of heights, I went along. I must confess however that halfway up that ride that stretches for several kilometers, panic started to set in as the grounds below kept receding further away. Were it not for the comforting presence of my chair lift companion Tarek Mishkhas from Urdu News, I would have probably passed out. If you are reading this Tarek, I owe you one!
Once we reached the top of the ride and with very weak knees, I took in the beautiful sites before us. The unspoiled natural splendor prompted all of our delegation to vow that we would return soon and with our families.
Our hotel was the Pearl Continental, some 30 minutes past Murree proper in Bhurban, of fame recently for the Bhurban declaration signed between Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari. It was here that they signed a joint declaration for the return of the deposed judges by April 30 of this year.
Located at an altitude of 2,000 meters at the foothills of the Himalayas, the hotel is aesthetically nestled within the natural surroundings, and was indeed a welcome stop after our long ride. Far from the bustle of the capital city and with a sated stomach, the serenity of beautiful Murree soon had us tucked in comfortably for the night.