Pakistan is a beautiful country with a very rich culture and food. The country is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. The Pakistani culture is a blend of many cultures which can be found in the country's music, architecture, and even cuisine. Pakistan is officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and it is in South Asia. Pakistan has the world’s second-largest Muslim population, which is exceeding 225.2 million. Pakistan is the 33rd-largest country by area, spanning 881,913 square kilometers.
Taking a trip to Pakistan is a face-to-face encounter with a fascinating land that has withstood countless invasions. It preserves the essence of its conquerors as present-day monuments and archaeological heritage. You can find this ancient history while visiting Pakistan. The excavated sites at Mohenjo-Daro and Taxila, the ancient Indus Valley, and the Gandhara civilization. The most extraordinary architecture of the Mughals and the historic inlet to South Asia, which is the great Khyber Pass, see the ancient unchanging traditions of Kafir Kalash of Chitral Valley.
if you have that love for mountains then Pakistan has the most beautiful northern mountain ranges, which are the Himalayas and the Karakoram. Pakistan has some world’s highest peaks, which are the K-2, the Nanga Parbat, the Rakaposhi, and the Trichmir. These mountains welcome all those who love to do trekking, mountaineering, angling, or jeep safaris. The resorts in these remote valleys make for an ideal summer get-away.
History
Pakistan came into being as an independent and sovereign state on 14 August 1947. It resulted from a division of the British Indian Empire. It includes the land area of 796,095 sq. km. which includes FATA (Federal Administered Tribal Areas) and FANA (Federal Administered Northern Areas). This region is historically the most ancient land known to man. Its cities flourished before they built Babylon, where its people practiced the art of good living and citizenship before the celebrated ancient Greeks.
Pakistan has one of the world’s most ancient civilizations which is at least 2500 years before Crist when a highly developed civilization flourished in the Indus Valley. There is evidence of the advanced civilization flourishing here even in most ancient times, which is Harrapa, Mohenjo-Daro, and Kot Diji. It was around 1,500 B.C. when the Aryans conquered this region and slowly pushed the Hindu inhabitants further east, towards the Ganges Valley. Later, the Persians occupied the northern regions in the 5th century B.C. The Greeks came in 327 B.C., under Alexander of Macedonia, and ran through the region like a meteor. In 712 A.D. Mohammed Bin Qasim, who was an Arab, landed somewhere near what is now Karachi, and ruled the lower half of Pakistan for two hundred years. During this time, Islam took root and influenced the life, culture, and traditions of the inhabitants of the region.
There was a systematic conquest of Indo-Pakistan by the Muslims from Central Asia that began in the 10th century A.D. and ended up in 18th century A.D. The British colonized the Sub-continent and ruled for nearly 200 years, for 100 years over what is now Pakistan. When Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, who was a renowned leader and educationist, began the revival of Muslims by launching a movement for an intellectual renaissance of the Indian Muslims. In 1930, the well-known poet/philosopher, Dr. Mohammed Allama Iqbal, conceived the idea of a separate state for the Muslims of the Sub-continent. In 1940, the All-India Muslim League adopted the famous Pakistan Resolution. Under the brilliant leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, after seven years of untiring struggle, Pakistan emerged on the world map as a sovereign state on August 14, 1947. It was then when the British India Empire was partitioned into two independent states, which are now India and Pakistan.
Culture
The beautiful traditions and art and craft of a country like Pakistan are a good reason to be proud of every Pakistani. After the Independence of the country, the government is giving much help to preserve the art and craft of the country. The National arts council and promotional plans of organizations such as the Export Promotion Bureau and Small Industries Corporations have facilitated the wider recognition of the accomplishments of craftspeople. Pakistani craft workers have a very good repute in producing quality products in clay, stone, fabrics, carpets, wood, metal, jewelry, and leather.
The civilization which is older than five millenniums, Pakistan, is known for those civilizations. Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Arabs, and Mughals came and settled in this region over the centuries, through successive waves of migrations from the north-west, as well as by internal migrations across the subcontinent. The mainspring of Pakistan’s cultural heritage was eventually Islam and Islamic traditions.
The Muslims in history built cities, forts, palaces, mosques, madras (religious schools), tombs, and mausoleums which are marked by simplicity and grandeur. These open spaces and abundance of light helped with the Islamic concept of man’s direct and open relationship with the Creator. The government of Pakistan is trying its best to preserve and promote the cultural treasure of the country. The government agencies like the Pakistan National Council of Arts, Lok Virsa (Folk Heritage), National Film Development Corporation, Authority for Preservation of Mohenjo-Daro, and National Archives of Pakistan are performing a set of functions in this area.
Pakistani music is one of the country’s greatest assets. Ranging from traditional folk music to more modern interpretations, the music remains a wonderful amalgamation of South East Asian influences. The diversity of the culture is clear in the musical styles across the country, with Punjab boasting bhangra styles and Sindh being home to the traditions of dhammal and ho jamalo.
Overview of the country
Pakistan is an exquisite country that is yet to be explored. It has some of the world’s most beautiful places and adventures. It has a very rich and diverse culture and a very rich and beautiful, breathtaking geographical environment. These are the reasons Pakistan is becoming the world’s most popular travel destination. The natural environment of the country is so stunning and has so much to offer to the people visiting Pakistan. You can also do mountaineering or canoeing to be part of the adrenaline rush that you want. The traditional games of the country also include an authentic English-style polo match which everyone loves to watch.
Explore the exquisite Mughal history such as the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, the Tomb of Anarkali, Hiran Minar, Begum Shahi Mosque, Tomb of Jahangir, Tomb of Nur Jahan, Tomb of Asif Khan and Akbari Sarai, Wazir Khan Mosque, Dai Anga Mosque, Tomb of Dai Anga, Shalimar Gardens and Shahi Hammam in Lahore, The Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta, Chaukhandi tombs near Karachi, Ranikot Fort and Kot Diji Fort, Frere Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Merewether Clock Tower in Karachi, and neoclassical Montgomery Hall in Lahore. The beautiful history of the country has much more than to offer.
The country also offers hosts of accommodation options which are available for all needs and budgets, especially in the larger cities. They range from five-star luxury hotels and resorts to simple backpacker lodgings. The food of the country is spicy and tasty and has a very waste variety and options for many food lovers. Many breakfasts from desi to continental. Dinner and lunch options are also for all kinds of people.
Pakistan is geographically full of varieties which are ranging from the mountainous regions in the north to the coastal beach areas in the south. This will make an exciting and diverse trip, with unique experiences to be had in all regions. The major modes of transportation between cities are railway and busses. The national rail system is quite extensive, reaching most cities in the country and their ranges of seating options and air-conditioned carriages are available. A cheaper option is also available, which is the local bus system. There are a few private bus companies, which are more expensive but offer a far more comfortable trip. Inner-city travel is best done by hired taxis or even automated rickshaws. Car hire is possible in the country, with most of the major international companies represented.
Some Highlights
Hike one of the tallest mountains in the world
Challenge the whitewater rapids of Pakistan’s northern rivers
Watch a traditional polo match at one of the country’s authentic English polo clubs
Visit Shah Faisal, the largest mosque in Asia
Travel across the historic Khyber Pass
Walk through the ruins of the ancient Moenjodaro civilization
Things that you can do in Pakistan
Fast becoming a must-visit destination, Pakistan is a treasure trove of architectural gems, breathtaking natural wonders, and little-used trekking trails. Here are the things you absolutely must do... such as Hit the Karakoram Highway as The Karakoram Highway is the world’s ultimate road trip, an 805-mile journey from Abbottabad to the Chinese border, through some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery and heart-stopping passes.
Have a capital time in Islamabad where you can enjoy the benefits of being a planned, modern city. It is neat and clean and surrounded by hills, a relatively calm oasis amongst the chaos that is Pakistan’s other major cities. Nature is never far away and there are plenty of cultural activities to keep you busy, too. You can cheer as Pakistan & India face off at the Wagah-Attari border. Trek, the Fairy Meadow of Nanga Parbat, where Hiking through the Fairy Meadow to the Nanga Parbat Base Camp in Himalayan Pakistan is one of the most popular treks in the country, for good reason. Rub shoulders with royalty at Lahore’s stunning Badshahi Mosque. As you know, Pakistan is not short of incredibly beautiful mosques. From the confronting ly modern Faisal Mosque in Islamabad to the mosaic marvel that is Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore, they dotted the country with mosques well worth checking out.
Visit a medieval fort deep in the desert of Punjab, 130km south of the city of Bahawalpur, the 40 squat bastions of Derawar Fort stand guard over the empty plains of the Cholistan Desert as they have done since medieval times. Chill out in the serene Hunza Valley, which is known as Pakistan’s Shangri-La, the Hunza Valley is as peaceful as it is beautiful. A pocket of verdant green amongst the dry towering mountains, it is a land of burbling streams, abundant orchards, and hospitable locals.
The Khyber Pass is the major route between Pakistan and Afghanistan, one of the most notorious stretches of road in the world. Many have tried to control it, from Alexander the Great to the British Raj, and all have failed. It is a place of wild mountain passes and equally wild, lawless lands. Wander through Pakistani history in Lahore Fort in which Lahore’s historic fort has been built and rebuilt many times over the centuries, first by the Mughal emperors and then later by the British. Indeed, it is said that walking through Lahore Fort is like walking through Pakistan’s past.
Pay your respects at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi, which is also known as Jinnah Mausoleum. Mazar-e-Quaid is the last resting place of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. Heavily influenced by the Samanid Mausoleum in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, the striking white monument has become a symbol of Karachi. Lick a stamp in Khewra Salt Mine which is halfway between Lahore and Islamabad, the Khewra Salt Mine is the second largest salt mine in the world and the source of the distinctive pink Himalayan salt you’ll find on hipster dining tables across the world.
Take a colorful boat ride on Saiful Muluk Lake which is the highest alpine lake in Pakistan, the beguiling green Saiful Muluk lake sits at 3,200m tall in a valley above Narran, surrounded by snowcapped mountains and glaciers.
Wander through the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro which was built way back in 2,500 BC, Mohenjo-Daro was one of the world’s earliest major cities. A bustling trading hub on the Indus River, it flourished at the same time as ancient Egyptian, Minoan and Mesopotamian civilizations. It was abandoned in 1900BC and rediscovered in the 1920s. Today, the incredibly atmospheric excavations stretch over 620 acres.
Places you can visit
You can visit many historical places in the country, from ancient civilizations to strategically important forts. Pakistan’s history is both in ancient times and, more recently, is quite complex. They overloaded the sites that you will visit with tons of information about the history of that area. There is something for everyone, whether it’s the dramatic architecture of a religious building or the natural beauty of a mountain pass.
Shah Faisal Masjid
The beauty of Islamabad is the great Shah Faisal Mosque. It is the most eye-catching mosque in Pakistan. It is modeled on a desert tent and comprises four 288-foot minarets. It lies at the bottom of the Margalla hills and is the largest in Asia. It is uniquely blended with contemporary and traditional architectural styles. The mosque is large in stature, being able to hold 100,000 worshipers in its main chamber at a time. The visitors are always allowed to visit the mosque from both the inner and outer sides of the mosque. It was completed in 1986 and was designed by the Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay, who shaped it like a desert Bedouin’s tent. It has become an iconic symbol of Islamabad throughout the world. They conceived the Faisal Mosque as the National Mosque of Pakistan. They named it after the late King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia, who supported and financed the project.
Lahore Fort
The most extraordinary piece of art built by the great Mughals is the Lahore fort. It was built, damaged, demolished, rebuilt, and restored several times before being given its current form by Emperor Akbar in 1566. The Lahore Fort is the star attraction of the Old City. This fort was changed by Jehangir in 1618 and later damaged by the Sikhs and the British. It has now partially been restored and its restoration is in progress by the government of Pakistan. You can find in it the most extraordinary succession of stately palaces, halls, and gardens built by Mughal emperors Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb. We believe this fort to be the most ancient remains of Lahore.
This entrance of this magnificent fort is from the colossal Alamgiri Gate, built by Aurangzeb in 1674 as a private entrance to the royal quarters. They built it large enough to allow several elephants carrying members of the royal household to enter at one time. At this entrance is also the small Moti musjid built by Shah Jahan in 1644 for the private use of the ladies of the royal household, and was restored to its original delicacy in 1904. The Diwan-i-Aam was built by Shah Jahan in 1631. Akbar later added its upper balcony.
Khawabgarh-i-Jehangir, which is on the north side of his quadrangle, is now converted into a small museum of the Mughal antiquities. On the west side is the Diwan-i-Khas which was built by Shah Jahan for receiving guests. The Shish Mahal, which was built by Shah Jahan in 1631, was closed for renovation at the time of research and is now open to be visited. Naulakha is the marble pavilion on the west side of the quadrangle which is lavishly decorated with Pietra dura and studded with tiny jewels in intricate floral motifs. The meaning Naulakha, which is nine lakh (900,000), refers either to the price to build it or the number of semiprecious stones used in its construction.
To exit the fort, you can use the Hathi Paer (Elephant Path) and through Shah Burj Gate. There are small museums built later in the fort which take you back in time. These are the Armoury Gallery exhibits various arms including pistols, swords, daggers, spears, and arrows; the Sikh Gallery predominantly houses rare oil paintings; and the Mughal Gallery includes among its exhibits old manuscripts, calligraphy, coins, and miniature paintings, as well as an ivory miniature model of India’s Taj Mahal.
Taxila
Pakistan has an ancient and unique history. There are several world heritage sites present in Pakistan, and Taxila is one of them. This city is situated 31 km to the west of Islamabad and 36.40 km to the northwest of Rawalpindi of the Grand Trunk Road or GT road. We historically knew Taxila as Takshashila. This historical city dates back to 5 century BCE. It is recorded that the history of Taxila starts from the 6th century BC when this Gandharan kingdom became part of the Achaemenid Empire of Persia. The culture of Taxila city is influenced mainly by the city’s strong historical background. Taxila is one of the most important archeological sites in the world. It is a city that has been the center of Buddhism in the country and was very well known for having strong ties. There are many statues of Buddha depicting the various stages of his life that have been excavated. They are currently present both at the Taxila museum and at various stupas in the city. They have taken abroad and displayed the best of these statues in museums there. There are 5 small stupas in the city. These are the Dharmarajika stupa, the Glen of Giri, which is about three-and-half miles from Dharmarajika stupa. Jaulian is one of the marvelous complexes of chapels that have stupas and a monastery, with an assembly hall, storerooms, refectory, kitchen, and bathrooms which are still very well preserved. Another well-preserved monastery at Mohra Moradu is two miles west of Jaulian. A mile-and-a-half from Sirsukh, at Jandial there is an image-less temple in the classic Greek style, with sandstone columns and cornices.
There are also statues of other famous people in history, such as Alexander the Great and the eminent ruler Asoka. Alexander took Taxila over the Great in 327 BC, after which it was ruled by the Mauryans. Later, it came under Asoka’s rule, during which it reached the zenith of its development and culture. Eventually, Taxila was taken over and destroyed.
The last well-known historical period for Taxila was the Gandhara period. The city has a strong tourist base and also attracts many tourists from the region of China and Greece, primarily because it is a center for Buddhism and Buddhists. From all over the world visitors visit the stupas in the city because of their religious significance to them.
Mohenjo-Daro
An archeological site built in 2600 BC, Mohenjo-Daro is a Pakistani gem. Mohenjo-Daro is widely recognized as one of the most important ancient cities of South Asia and the Indus Valley Civilization.
Mohenjo-Daro which means the Mound of Mohen or Mohan, though there are other spellings which are equally valid: Mohanjo-Daro (Mound of Mohan =Krishna) or it can also be spelled as Moenjo-Daro (Mound of the Dead), Mohenjo-Daro, Mohenjodaro, or even Mohen-jo-Daro. Since the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the site has been under the protection of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Pakistan. R. D. Banerji, who was back then an officer of the Archaeological Survey of India, discovered it in 1922. They started this survey two years after major excavations had begun at Harappa, some 590 km to the north. Large-scale excavations were carried out at the site under the direction of John Marshall, K. N. Dikshit, Ernest Mackay, and many other directors through the 1930s.
It was a well-planned street grid, and it had an elaborate drainage system. This gave us a hint that the occupants of the ancient Indus civilization city of Mohenjo Daro were skilled urban planners with knowledge of the control of water.
The city lacks ostentatious palaces, temples, or monuments. There are no obvious central seats of government or any evidence of a king or queen. Modesty, order, and cleanliness were apparently preferred. There are pottery and tools of copper and stone which were standardized. Their seals and weights suggest they had a system of tightly controlled trade.
Lahore Museum
The largest museum in all of Pakistan is The Lahore Museum. The British Raj found it in 1864. This museum has an immense collection of artifacts, artworks, weapons, and even costumes from many South Asian nations. The Lahore Museum is in the Mall area of the city. It is across the street from the Punjab University Allama Iqbal Campus. It would be better to understand the long history of this city and start your tour of Lahore in the city’s cherished museum.
They built the main building using design patterns from the Mughal Empire, while they built the museum during the British occupation of Lahore. It stands beautifully and you certainly won’t miss the main redbrick building with its enormous domes and columns. It was in 1861 when the Lahore Central Museum started receiving rare objects from all around Southern Asia. During this time, major archeological digs were going on in Harappa that uncovered amazing items from both the Indus Valley and the Gandhara Civilisations.
John Lockwood Kipling, who was the father of Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling, became the head curator of the Lahore Central Museum in 1875. Kipling was a powerful supporter of the museum and he helped Lahore collect a ton of artifacts from all around Southern Asia. In 1887, Kipling and other members of the Lahore Museum started a fundraising campaign to build a larger museum. Once they reached the requisite funds, the Lahore Museum staff invited Queen Victoria’s grandson, Prince Albert Victor, to visit Lahore in 1890. Prince Victor agreed and laid the first stone in what was to become the modern Lahore Museum. It only took four years to complete this ornate museum complex that measures 27,850 square feet. Kipling retired just one year before the new Lahore Museum opened its doors to the public. Its treasure of modern paintings, arts and crafts and ethnology is a national heritage beyond comparison.
Pakistan Monument
On the Western Shakarparian Hills in Islamabad, the government of Pakistan built The Pakistan Monument, which is a National Monument and Heritage Museum. They constructed this monument to symbolize the unity of the Pakistani People. It is a popular tourist destination and its elevation makes the monument visible from across the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area. It covers a total area of 2.8 hectares. They shape the monument like a blooming flower petal-shaped structure which is built of granite. The inner walls of the petals are inscribed with the outlines of Lahore Fort, Badshahi (Emperor’s) Mosque, Khyber Pass, and Minar-e-Pakistan. The extraordinary Monument opens onto a marble terrace which provides a bird’s-eye view of Islamabad City. The four main petals of the monument represent the four provinces of Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh. While the three smaller petals represent the three territories of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and the Tribal Areas. They made its central platform in the shape of a five-pointed star which is surrounded by a water body. There is a metallic crescent surrounding the star which is inscribed with sayings of the Founding Father of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and poetry of National Poet, Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Joining with the Monument is the Pakistan Monument Museum, which includes a wax museum depicting important events which are leading to the Pakistan Movement. This complex receives, on average, 1500 tourists per day. If you see the monument from the air, it looks like a star (center) and a crescent moon (formed by walls forming the petals). These represent the star and crescent on Pakistan’s flag. Its foundation stone was laid on 25 May 2004 and was completed in 2006 and later inaugurated on 23 March 2007.
Khyber Pass
On the border with Afghanistan, is a mountain pass known as The Khyber Pass in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It connects the town of Landi Kotal to the Valley of Peshawar at Jamrud by traversing part of the Spin Ghar mountains. It was part of the ancient Silk Road and has been a vital trade route between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. It is a strategic military choke point for various states that controlled it. Following Asian Highway 1 (AH1), the summit of the pass at Landi Kotal is five kilometers inside Pakistan, descending to Jamrud 460 m from the Afghan border. The inhabitants of the area are predominantly from the Afridi and Shinwari tribes of Pashtuns.
This stunning and historic mountain pass connects Pakistan with Afghanistan. The Khyber Pass makes a scenic trip, and it also provides the opportunity for travelers to experience an important part of the region’s history. It is an important trade route that brought silk into the region and it was once a highly sensitive military area. This Pass is one of the oldest in the world. The Khyber pass sits at over 3,000 feet and provides breathtaking views of its surrounding countryside.
Music and Nightlife
You can have all the fun visiting Pakistan because the nightlife and entertainment scene are quite good. It offers more movie theatres than nightclubs. But the dining options of this country are more than you can think of. You can find everything from traditional Pakistani meals to international home comforts in the number of restaurants in one of the larger centers.
The nightlife scene in Pakistan is quite modest because of the religious restrictions placed on Muslim residents who may not purchase, consume, or own alcohol. If travelers are in search of Western-style discotheques, they will be disappointed. Most of the large hotels have bars where visitors can have a few drinks and on certain evenings, these hotels may also have live music and dancing on certain occasions.
If you are looking for a musical evening, you can find the best live music in Karachi at a local joint called Salt n Pepper Village. By the day, this is a high-end restaurant, but as the nightlife starts, Pakistani music takes it over. It is located right next to the sea. This restaurant provides not only superb entertainment but a great atmosphere as well. Salt n Pepper Village is quite popular and can get rather crowded, especially on the weekends, so it would be a good idea to come early or even book in advance.
There is another great place to relax and knock back a couple of drinks. This is the Lahore Polo Club, also known as Race Course Park. This club is almost 120 years old and has a decent bar that is open to members of the public. The perfectly manicured lawns and colonial-style décor provide the perfect environment in which to chitchat with the local elite. Visitors who go at the right time of the year might even catch a polo match in full swing.
Pakistani Dining and Cuisine
Dining in Pakistan is very interesting and exciting as the culture and should definitely be tried at least once. Most of the Pakistani dishes are served with naan which is a type of flatbread or is presented on top of rice. The food in Pakistan is quite spicy, so travelers with an aversion to chili will need to make this explicitly clear when ordering. If you are looking for other options there are many international and European options available as well, especially in the more high-end hotels.
There are many local restaurants that do quite a good job of serving up Pakistani meals. Usmania Tandoori Restaurant in Quetta (Jinnah Road, Town Center Quetta) is one of these fine establishments. While sitting in this restaurant is quite fancy, the prices are not. Services are large and the quality of the food is simply top-notch. Similarly, Hidden Paradise in Karimabad (Bazaar Road, Karimabad) has some great dishes as well. The restaurant makes up for its non-luxurious ambiance with some of the heartiest Pakistani meals in the city.
For something a bit more familiar, visitors should try Evolution in Karachi (66C-68C 25th Street, DHA, Karachi). One of the trendiest places in town, evolution allows visitors to sample the flavors of the world in one sitting. This buffet-style lunch offers everything from Italian and Japanese to Indian and Continental. KC Grill is also a hit with foreigners, serving up such favorites as steaks, burgers, and French fries. While the menu may be pretty run-of-the-mill, the atmosphere certainly is not.
Nihari
To start up my list of best Pakistani cuisines, Nihari would be on top of the list. This is one of the best breakfast options from the other many options in breakfast in Pakistani cuisine. Nihari includes a heap of dry spices fried in vegetable oil and animal fat. The meat ingredients include the beef shank commonly and a very healthy portion of Desi Ghee, which is a homemade local clarified butter. This is achieved by a slow-cooking stew is then stirred altogether in a glorious cauldron of a pot. Its consistency is thick and oozing and is full of ultra-tender meat chunks literally floating in Desi ghee. Its color is deep red because of the spices and infused ghee. Garnish your plate of Nihari with fragrant sliced ginger, spicy green chilies, and a squeeze from fresh lime or two. If you want to try this yummiest dish, you can try it in Lahore at Waris Nihari or Muhammadi Nihari, and in Karachi, you can try Javed Nihari.
Kabuli Pulao
Kabuli Pulao is the main dish that came from Afghanistan's capital Kabul, which is a few hours from the KP Province (North-Western border) of Pakistan. They made this delicious Pulao from any quality of rice. The dry spices would be added to the chunks of mutton or beef meat, sometimes an entire leg. These types of rice are milder than biryani. While Saffron gives the rice taste and color. Whole cloves of cardamom and golden sultana raisins give it a beautiful sweet aroma. It may also include peanuts and even pistachios or other dry fruits as a garnish. Kabuli Pulao smells gorgeous, looks beautiful, and of course, tastes incredible as well. It is a perfect dish for lunch while walking around the lively streets and atmosphere of Pakistan’s large, bustling cities. It is especially common in and around Peshawar.
Karahi
Karahi is the best dish that you will find anywhere in Pakistan because this food is dear to the hearts of all Pakistanis. You can find Karahis cooking in the smallest roadside shop, or in the Palatial kitchen of a local Rajah. The name of this dish comes from the shape of the pan in which it cooked, which is a black iron scoop-shaped pan. There are different types of Karahis which are mutton, chicken, and sometimes even shrimps. The metal dish in which it cooked can be its own serving bowl, sizzling hot, coming straight to the center of your table. The recipe of this type of Pakistani Karachi includes tomatoes, onion, ginger and garlic, animal fat or desi ghee, or even cream to give it a unique taste. It’s that tomato broth that gives each Karahi its ultra yummy magic which is so full of smokiness, tender chunks of meat, and a lot of fat–from the meat and ghee. They cook every pan over flaming high heat, and the chef’s motion follows a steady working rhythm of adding oil, meat, and stirring. Then add more oil, gripping the pan to rapidly add spices and then moving the entire dish to a serving tray. This iconic dish of Pakistan can be found throughout the country.
In Lahore, Butt Karahi is mandatory, and in Karachi, try the insanely good Shrimp Karahi at Dua Restaurant, lounging outdoors in a seating area the size of a playing field.
Haleem
Haleem is an incredibly hearty dish made with a combination of barley, local wheat varieties, and chickpeas. The influence of this dish comes to Pakistan from the Middle East, and people have been enjoying Haleem here for centuries. It is Slowly cooked for up to an entire day, on very low heat. This technique is used to give haleem its warm, home-cooked flavor. Onions that are fried separately, mint leaves, both green and dry chilies, and the masala spices go into the mother-pot, and a final garnish comes from generous squeezes of lemon juice at the end.
This is a great food to have in the morning, or for an early lunch. Haleem is very rich in calories to keep one’s energy up throughout the day. The flavor is a good bowl of haleem can be so rich that simply eating it with roti. End your meal with a cup of green tea, which can leave you perfect and content.
Enjoy a wonderful meal of Haleem in the Old City area of Lahore and in the main city of Karachi.
Halwa Puri
Halwa puri is the one special Pakistani food breakfast that is loved by all. It would have to be
Known for causing feelings of extreme satisfaction, even to the point of laziness, for the rest of the day. Halwa Puri is one of the most common breakfasts you’ll have in Pakistan.
They thinly rolled the puris dough, forming endlessly ultra-crispy layers, the folding style of which causes it to puff up immediately when submerging in boiling oil or desi ghee.
Halwa is a sweet pudding-like dish made from semolina which is served along with the puris. You will also get a yummy chickpea curry with Halwa puri to complete the breakfast.
You can alternate bites of sweet halwa and spicy chickpeas. Like most meals in Pakistan, this combo is perfected by finishing with at least one cup of Dudh Patti which is milk-only tea with no water.
There is even more, though, in the Pakistani food list but I hope that this list inspires you to travel yourself and go to Pakistan to discover the very long list of foods that I didn’t have time to include in the short but delicious list above.
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