Dubai: Assam Altaf, a Dubai based graphic designer, has drawn a unique map of Pakistan, making it easier for tourists to visit major attractions across the country.
Altaf, 31-year-old Pakistani expatriate working in Dubai, has identified at least 71 must see places on the map with photos and locations. Tourists can easily identify the places they want to visit and plan their trip accordingly. The map is particularly of great benefit to overseas Pakistanis and foreign tourists who are not much familiar with the country but want to visit Pakistan.
“I prepared the map as I was inspired by the tourist maps of various countries and especially of Dubai as these are very helpful for tourists,” Altaf told Gulf News.
His map with photos and the list of 71 places on the side makes it easier for tourists to plan their visit to Pakistan.
“I started from the Pakistan China Border from the North of Pakistan and ended up on Gwadar City in the South of the country. I added all the religious, historical and cultural spots in this map including Kartarpur, Shardha Peeth Temple, Katas Raj Temple and many others,” he explained.
Inspired by Dubai
For Altaf, Dubai was his first international destination to visit when he came here seven years ago to find a job. “Tourism in Dubai inspired me and made me feel like that we should also introduce same strategies to promote tourism in our country.
“There was so much scattered information about tourist places in Pakistan and it was a bit confusing. That is why, I started working on their project to make a comprehensive map to make it easy for tourists,” Altaf added,
Explaining the map, Altaf said: “I have also identified five different weathers in my map and tried to explain what tourists can do while visiting different parts of the country.”
Altaf wants to introduce the map in print format and is also planning to launch its interactive online version in addition to an app in collaboration with the Pakistan Tourism Ministry so that everyone could benefit from it. He said that he personally wanted to gift the map to Prime Minister Imran Khan.
71 must see places in Pakistan according to Assam’s map
1- Khunjrab Pass (Pak — China Border)
2- Atabad Lake — Hunza -KKH
3- Baltit Fort — Hunza Valley — (8th CE. )
4- K2 — (2nd Highest Mountain in the World)
5- K2 Base Camp
6- Shangrila Skardu
7- Deosai Plains — Roof of the World
8- Sharda Peeth Temple — (724 CE. )
9- Neelum Valley Kashmir
10- Saif ul Malook & Ansoo (Tear) Lake
11- Shandur Polo Festival
12- Nanga Parbat — (9th Hightest Mountain)
13- Kalash Valley
14- Ski Resort Malam Jaba
15- Tea Plantation Shinkiari
16- Buddha Swat — (7th Century )
17- Khanpur Dam — Sajikot Waterfalls
18- Khyber Pass — Peshawar
19- Taxila Stupa — (2nd Century CE )
20- Pakistan Monument
21- Muzaffarabad — Kashmir
22- Naluchi Bridge
23- Centaurus Mall — Islamabad
24- Faisal Mosque — Islamabad
25- Katas Raj Temple — Potohar Plateau
26- Khewra Salt Mines
27- Qila Rohtas Jehlum — (16th Century )
28- Hiran Minar Sheikhupura — (17th CE. )
29- Kartarpur Sahib Temple
30- Shahi Qila & Badshahi Mosque
31- Minar-e-Pakistan Lahore
32- Clock Tower — Faisalabad
33- Amb Sharif Temple — Khushab
34- Power Plant
35- Harappa Civilisation (3300 BCE )
36- The Cathedral of the Holy Redeemer
37- Shah Rukn e Alam Tomb — (1320 CE. )
38- Noor Palace Bhawalpur
39- Uch Sharif — Bhawalpur — (12th CE )
40- Qila Derawar — (9th Century )
41- Cholistan Desert
42- Mohenjo Daro (Built in 2500 BCE )
43- Ziarat — Quaid Azam’s Residency
44- Hanna Lake — Quetta
45- Phir Ghaib Waterfalls
46- Quetta City
47- Riqo Diq Copper Mines
48- Mud Volcanoes
49- Golden Desert
50- Moolah Chotok — Khuzdar District
51- Ranikot Qila (Fort) — (8th CE. )
52- Clock Tower Hyderabad
53- Bootar Laker
54- Makli Graveyard — (400 Years Old )
55- Gori Temple — (1375 CE. )
56- Nagarparkar Temple — (1376 CE. )
57- Coal Mines
58- Frear Hall Karachi
59- Kimari Fish Harbour
60- Clifton Beach
61- Hawksbay Beach
62- Paradise Point & French Beach
63- Princess of Hope
64- Sphinix of Pakistan
65- Hangol National Park
66- Cave City
67- Gwadar City
68- Astola Island Gwadar
69- Churna Island — Karachi
70- Bolan Pass
71- Parachnar
