Chief Minister

Quaid-E-Azam Residency

Quaid-e-Azam residency with its lush green lawns, chinar trees and flower gardens commands a striking view of the whole valley. It is of historical importance, as the Ouaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan, stayed there during his last illness. It houses the relics of the Father of the Nation. The Residency was built in 1882 by the British and used by the Agent to the Governor General as his summer headquarters

Hazarganji Chiltan National Park

In the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, 20 kms south-west of Quetta, Markhors have been given protection. The park is spread over 32,500 acres, altitude ranging from 2021 to 3264 meters.

Hazarganji literally means "of a thousand treasures". In the folds of these mountains, legend has it, that, there are over a thousand treasures buried, reminders of the passage of great armies down the corridors of history.

The Bactrains, Scythians, Mongols and then the great migrating hordes of Baloch all passed this way.

The Museums

The Archaeological Museum has a collection of rare antique guns, swords and manuscripts Geological Survey Department on Sariab Road (6 kms) has a collection of rocks and fossils.

Karkhasa

Karkhasa is a recreation Park situated at a distance of 10 kms. to the west of Quetta. It is a 16 kms. long narrow valley having a variety of flora like Ephedra, Artimisia and Sophora.

One can see birds like partridges and other wild birds in the park. Limited recreational facilities are provided to the visitors through the Forest Department, Spinny Road, Quetta.

Urak Valley

The Urak Valley is 21 kms from Quetta City. The road is lined on either side with wild roses and fruit orchards. Peaches, plums, apricot and apples of many varieties are grown in this valley.

The waterfall at the end of the Urak Valley, which is full of apple and apricot orchards, makes for an interesting picnic spot.

Hanna Lake

A little short of the place where the Urak Valley begins and 10 kms from Quetta is the Hanna Lake, where benches and pavilions on terraces have been provided. Golden fish in the lake comes swimming right upto the edge of the lake. A little distance away, the waters of the lake take on a greenish blue tint. Right where the water ends, have been planted pine trees on the grass filled slopes.

The greenish-blue waters of the lake provide a rich contrast to the sandy brown of the hills in the background. One can promenade on the terraces. Wagon service operates from city bus station at Circular Road. The transport can be hired through the PTDC Tourist Information Centre, Muslim Hotel, Jinnah Road Quetta.

Quetta / The Capital City

Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, 1692 meters above sea level, lies at the mouth of Bolan Pass. It has three large craggy mountains.

The name Quetta is derived from the word "Kuwetta" which means a fort and, no doubt, it is a natural fort surrounded as it is by imposing hills on all sides. The encircling hills have the re-sounding names of Chiltan, Takatoo, Mordar and Zarghun, that seem to brood upon this pleasant town. There are other mountains that form a ring around it. Their copper red and russet rocks and crests that are powdered with snow in winters add immense charm to the town.

The main thoroughfare and the commercial centre of Quetta is Jinnah Road, where the Tourist Information centre of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, as the banks restaurants and handicraft shops are located.

The People

The inhabitants are mainly Pathans, Balochs and Brahuis You can also find Uzbeks, Tajikess and Turkamen rubbing shoulders with the other inhabitants. Nomadic tribesmen pass through Quetta Valley during spring and autumn with their herds of sheep and camel and their assorted wares for sale. This seasonal movement adds colour to the life of the city

The rugged terrain has made the people of the area hardy and resilient. They are known tor their friendliness and hospitality. To make a visitor comfortable is part of their tradition, like the rest of the people of Pakistan.

Pishin Valley and Bund Khushdil Khan

Some 50 kms from Quetta is the valley of Pishin with its numerous fruit orchards, which are irrigated by "Karez", a kind of artificial spring made by boring holes into rocks to bring to the surface the subterranean water 16 kms from Pishin is the man-made lake Bund Khushdil Khan. Its cool gentle waters attract many visitors for duck shooting in early winter.

Pir Ghaib

At a distance of 70 kms. from Quetta on Sibi Road is situated a popular picnic spot known as Pir Ghaib. Here a waterfall cascades down rocky mountain side making its way through many streams and ponds among the shady palm trees. You need a 4-wheeled transport to reach the spot from the main road.

Ziarat

A visit to Quetta is incomplete without a trip to Ziarat. Situated 133 kms (3 hours by car) from Quetta at an altitude of 2449 metres above sea level, Ziarat is a holiday resort amidst one of the largest and oldest Juniper forests in the world. It is said that some of the Juniper trees are as old as 5000 years.

The name Ziarat means 'Shrine'. A local saint, Kharwari Baba, is believed to have rested in the valley and blessed it. After his death he was buried here. People frequently visit the saint's shrine, which is 10 kms from Ziarat.

Extensive research is being done in the forest nurseries to replace the juniper forest with fast growing trees as the regeneration of the juniper is very slow.

Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation has a Motel Complex with 18 comfortable rooms and cottages. Accommodation can be booked from the PTDC Offices in Quetta. There are other comparatively inexpensive hotels in the town's centre.

The magic of Ziarat is its honey, its flowers which attain large size here, its lush green grass and cool weather even in the hottest months of summer "Shinshoab", a lavendear like wild bush looks lovely in twilights.

Nearly 4416 acres in and around Ziarat are under apple orchards. The apple grown in the orchards, particularly the black and red kulu variety are delicious. A fair amount of black cherry is also grown in Ziarat. The cherry season lasts from the 1st to 15th of June.

Prospect Point

The view from Prospect Point is rewarding. It lies at a height of 2713 meters above sea level and is 6 kms from Ziarat. The road is jeepable, but a walk is recommended.

Once at the peak with wind whistling through the forest one can see the valley stretch out in undulating slopes in front. From a nearby cliff, one can clearly see the highest peak of these hills known as Khalefat, which rises to a height ot 3487 meters. There is a small rest house situated nearby. Prior reservation may be made through the office of the Deputy Commissioner at Ziarat.

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