Trip to Baluchistan

 Trip to Baluchistan 

By Abida Rahmani

September 6,2017

We started at 6 am fromRawalpindi ,courtesy Salahs . Driving through motorway up to Talagang for a short while,then the regular two way road started. crossing many small towns and passed over the famous Chashma Barrage on river Indus .we arrived at the famous date orchards and selling spot "ڈھکی کھجور  dhakki dates "and enjoyed delicious , fresh juicy dates. Arrived at Dera Ismail Khan around 12 noon . Had a sumptuous lunch and offered zuhar.Re started at 1pm ,the road was quite rough ,dusty and presumed as under construction. On our way watched a lot many Gypsy caravans moving down with huge herds of sheep, goats and other animals. Mostly their belongings on tractor trollies. Most have now opted to modern ways of transportation . Baluchistan is blessed with lots of fruits ,( sweet n tasty ) and a variety of minerals.On our way saw lots of solar panels for irrigation and power supply. It is a vast barren land therefore humongous developmental strategy is still required .Close to Zhob we saw many grape selling shops and many vineyards on our way. A high class sweet and soft grapes are grown in this area. Arrived at Zhob lodge the army mess of Zhob Militia in Baluchistan around 5:30 pm. Then Went to an other higher spot or officers mess called paradise point. It's height is 4750 ft. This point was buildup in 1889 under the supervision of sir  Sandaman agent of Indian viceroy for Baluchistan . This city used to be  called "Fort Sandeman ". Z A Bhutto changed it's name to Zhob to eradicate the colonial era when he visited as a prime minister to this area. From this point we could see Zhob town all around . It reminded me of the Griffith Observatory in LA .which almost had the same height and location . However that one was a pro public attraction while this one is a military installation  with many vital differences.

Trip to Baluchistan (2)

Sept7: After a peaceful night stay we started for Quetta. Had a stopover at Qila Safullah where we had lunch . On our way saw a lot of chromite deposits which were loaded in trucks . Chromite is a potential mineral , used in manufacturing of aircraft parts. Chromite is the only ore of

chromium, a metal essential for making stainless steel, nichrome, chrome plating, pigments, refractories, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. These hidden treasures are part of barren Baluchistan. There we visited a museum narrating the story of Baluchistan's leaders struggle and support for Pakistan movement. The pictures showed letters of khan of Qalat, Qazi Essa and Quaid I Azam's visit to Quetta and meeting with Baluch leaders. The Hindu Bagh now names Muslim Bagh . The ruins of old railway station showed some signs.

Later on we drove to Quetta , the road conditions were far better. After arrival we had some rest and got ready in the evening for a dinner. 

Sept 8

We started in the morning On way to Chaman Sheela Bagh , Khojak tunnel . It's a marvel of engineering build in 1889 . A story about the tunnel is kind of folk lore. " A  Hindu dancer by the name of Shila would perform in front of workers ,the money collected by her was taken by then government . The exciting and awesome trolley ride inside the tunnel for four kilometers outside 4 km total 8km was some thing unbelievable a life time experience. I even couldn't visualize that scary ride with out seat-belts and any precautions, it turned out to be marvelous. 

This place is Situated about 120 km from Quetta towards Afghan border, the famous 2,290-metre high Khojak pass of Toba Kakar Mountain, which has been crossed for centuries by soldiers, merchants and conquerors, is now a pleasure to drive. It can be crossed in half an hour, thanks to the good road. The famous Khojak tunnel of about 4 km length is yet another marvel, constructed in 1889 with famous shela Bagh Station nearby, it gained fame when it was printed on 5 rupee note. At the time of its construction, it was the lengthiest rail tunnel in Asia.

To pak afghan border at Chaman  and Spin Boldac Afghanistan, watched all the movement on both sides of border. The gate of friendship has some unfriendly gestures of firings at times. The division of border is interesting from house to house. 

- pishin sprawling lawns and trees in rest house.