Prominent Political Personalities of Lahore

Lahore has always held great importance politically whether it being in the Mughal era or to this date. It could rather now be considered as the political hub as political parties which dominate in the city of Lahore, consider to have more importance perhaps due to the ancient relationship between Lahore and politics.

Before partition of India and Pakistan, Lahore made a name for itself in politics on 23rd March 1940 where under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a resolution was passed for an independent country for the Muslims of the subcontinent. To commemorate the event, Minar-e-Pakistan, a monument 60 m tall in the shape of a minaret, was built at the site in Iqbal Park where the resolution was passed.

Mohammad Ali Jinnah

Since 23rd March 1940, Lahore has been home to many important political personalities that have left major impact on not only Lahore but in fact the entire country.

Lahore is the birth place of one of the most prominent political personality to date, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. The president of Pakistan’s biggest political party, Pakistan Muslim League N, has been a very influential personality when it comes to Pakistan’s politics. Settled in Lahore along with his family, Nawaz Sharif became the Prime Minister of Pakistan thrice providing Pakistan with better policies and development plans such as the establishment of motorways and the most important of all, making Pakistan into a nuclear power state.

Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif

His brother Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif also lives in Lahore, residing in Model Town. He is the current Chief Minister of Pakistan who emphasizes on better infrastructure for the city of Lahore. His major works include the establishment of Metro Bus transport system, Ring Road as well as the plans to make the heavy trafficked areas of Lahore signal free.

Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore is also the birth place of Imran khan, the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, an emerging political party especially amongst the youth. Lahore turned out to hold extreme importance in the eye of PTI when a very successful political demonstration via an address to the public was shown on 30 October 2011 by them. Since that day Lahore has been disputed as to which political party holds more importance in the city.

Imran khan

Another political party that came into power during President Musharraf reign is PML Q. Headed by Chaudhry Shujat Hussain and his brother in law Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi the party has quiet a hold in the city. Both the senior leaders though originally belonging to Gujrat, are residents and prominent politicians in Lahore. Residing at Zahoor Elahi Road, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi was the Chief Minister of Punjab from 2002-2008. His works proved to be a lot beneficial for the locals of Lahore mainly due to the introduction of Rescue 1122, an international standards ambulance and rescue squad. He mainly focused on education and most importantly free education and books for the poor. The drastic improvement in the traffic police was a step taken by him that improved their performance and loyalty to the city.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain

Lahore has also been the political hub for religious political parties such as Jamat-e-Islami. Lahore has been a city which has held and to dates holds extreme importance in the politics of Pakistan. Being the second largest populated city of Pakistan, the city has always been a target for all the political parties.

Read more...

Posted by Unknowna at Tuesday, June 30, 2015 0 comments

Modern Day Lahore - High End Living

Whenever the city of Lahore is mentioned, the first idea that pops up in one’s head is history and heritage. Yes, Lahore is known for its historical value but the modern era is taking its toll too on the city. Lahore has now expanded in size and is one of the most modern cities of the country. Housing high end restaurants, hotels, malls along with entertainment spots the city now projects high end living.

Areas such as Defence, Bahria Town and M M Alam Road reflect the newer and modern side of Lahore residing the posh community and providing them with facilities to support their high end living

The construction of malls such as Fortress Square, Mall of Lahore and many more, Lahoris now are provided with multinational brands whether considering clothing brands or food items. This has drastically improved the standard of living and further on provided the rich, luxuries within their reach.

Fortress Square Lahore

Lahore once known for its simple road side food shops and stalls now houses state of the art restaurants and hotels including Pearl Continental and Avari which introduce not only international cuisine but also bring a modern touch to the desi food. A new trend has been set with the establishment of multinational fast food chains such as Burger King and McDonald as well the introduction of high end cafes offering a range of delicious and unique drinks and snacks.

Pearl Continental

With the increasing high end living standards of Lahore, the introduction of international standard entertainment joints too has left a mark on the city. From golf courses to cinemas, arcade zones for children to beauty spas, the city of Lahore offers all facilities. The once simple city now has transformed to a city that offers new experiences to the natives in the form of a state of the art water park known as Oasis, camping and safari facilities at Rana Resort and many such places.

Rana Hunting & Luxury Resort

There was a time when women used to go out for buying UN-stitched clothes to places such as Anarkali and Saddar and would return to the tailors to get them stitched according to their liking. This trend is gradually vanishing due to the arrival of designer boutiques which offer a wide range of ready to wear products under one roof. Women now enjoy a higher living standard by simply purchasing ready made clothes from boutiques placed all over the city rather then getting into the hassle of buying UN-stitched materials and then running after the tailors to get them stitched.

As the standard of living is improving drastically in the city of Lahore, luxuries are more of a preference including trips to beauty salons and spas where both men and women have time to relax and get pampered. Whether it be Shapes or New Look, appointments are usually booked before time for the Lahoris to enhance their beauty and refresh then up.

High end lifestyle is also supported by the local availability of luxury imported vehicles with world renowned automobile companies such as Audi and Porsche setting up their dealerships in the city to provide luxury within reach.

A developing city, bring modernization to the area, Lahore is now a city that attracts the rich to spend their high end lives and benefit from the luxuries the city now has to offer.

You can discover more places on Locally Lahore App. Locally Lahore is a must have App, which allows you to explore Lahore and it covers up all point of interest. It gives you information about latest events and happenings in Lahore. 

Download Locally Lahore Android & iPhone App. Join locally lahore on G+ and Facebook to get in touch with the latest information and events of Lahore. 

Find out more information of Locally Lahore App on www.locallylahore.com

Read more...

Posted by Unknowna at Tuesday, June 30, 2015 0 comments

Poets and Intellectuals of Lahore

Lahore being the heart of Pakistan housed some of the country’s biggest universities and colleges as well was renowned education system specially with institutes such as Aitchison College and Government College. With such institutes the city was prone to produce jewels in the form of poets and intellectuals.

One of the all time great poets of Pakistan, Faiz Ahmed Faiz lived in Lahore and got his education from Government College and University. Producing poetry that touched the souls as well as philosophical work that inspired many. His work was used by famous singers of the the sub-continent which to date mesmerize the souls. He left this world in 1984 and was buried in Model Town, Lahore.

Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Other poetic legends such as Munir Niazi also gained his education from Lahore and later settled in Lahore working for local newspapers, magazines and radio. He experimented with poetic forms and has tried to create a new style, rhythm and diction in Urdu poetry. Innocence, mythology, nostalgia, dreams, eroticism, and romance are some of his most common themes. He wrote numerous songs for films and made his name as the foremost movie song writer of Pakistan. Munir Niazi died in 2006 in Lahore as a result of a respiratory illness.

Munir Niazi

Lahore is renowned to produce many jewels of the literary world including Saadat Hassan Minto, Nasir Kazmi and Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi who along with Faiz Ahmed Faiz and others used to gather at Lahore's iconic Pak Tea House, witness to some of the most fiery literary debates and passionate political arguments back in 1948-49. Pak Tea House holds a special place in the memories of those who know about Lahore's vibrant literary and cultural past. The cafe's regular customers included such writers and poets as Saadat Hasan Manto, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Nasir Kazmi and Intizar Hussain. Intizar Hussain, arguably Pakistan's greatest living fiction writer and a Pak Tea House patron since 1949,reminisces about the cafe's fearless culture of free speech.

Nasir Kazmi

Saadat Hasan Manto

Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi

Intizar Hussain

Lahore was home to scholars and intellectuals of all sectors whether religion, political or educational. A city which provided educational basis to Islamic scholars such as Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri and Sarfraz Ahmed Naeemi who got their higher education from Lahore and used it to benefit the Muslim world by producing plans such as interest free banking and movements against global Muslim victimization and suppression.

Lahore’s ancient traditions of storytelling, painting, dance and music are being brought to life again under the banner of the Lahore Literary Festival. New writers, musicians and scholars pay honor to the region’s top writers and intellectuals as well as provide audiences with a stimulating array of ideas, intellectual conversation, literary discussion and visual drama.

In 2012, The Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Shehbaz Sharif directed the construction of a hostel in Lahore exclusive for poets, intellectuals and writers where all necessary facilities would be provided to them. This once again shows the importance of poetry and literature in the city and provides yet another opportunity for Lahore to produce some of the best poets and intellectuals for the world to enjoy.

Read more...

Posted by Unknowna at Friday, June 26, 2015 0 comments

10 unique things about Lahore

There is a famous saying about the city of Lahore that even the little children say out loud with pride, JINAY LAHORE NI WEKHYA O JAMYA NAI! (The person who has not seen Lahore yet hasn’t been born). People often wonder why this saying or slogan is so famous. Well obviously its famous and holds vale due to unique things found in Lahore. Let’s have a look on some of the unique things of Lahore. 

As soon as the city Lahore is spoken about the first thing that clicks to the mind is food. How can it be possible to talk of Lahore without mentioning its unique food and the love of natives for it. Whether it be breakfast consisting of Halwa Poori or Paye to dinners consisting of BBQ or Taka Tak. Lahore houses 2 food streets known for their traditional food, one housing classic roadside food shops while the other consists of posh high quality restaurants. 

Another unique thing about Lahore is the night life of Lahore. With food shops open at almost every block, trucks playing classic folk songs and rickshaws rushing down the roads, this city just doesn’t want to sleep. Taking advantage of these roads are street racers and sport bikers roaring down streets.

Badshahi Mosque at Night

Canal Road

Theaters in Lahore are another unique asset of Lahore. Shows are usually held at night in which comics dramas are performed live for the audience usually consisting of labor class who tend to enjoy with such shows after a hard day of work.

Alhamra Lahore

If its left upon me, I shall refer to Lahore as shopping heaven. The saying, You name, it has it defines Lahore’s offering for shopaholics. Modern days malls e.g Mall of Lahore house Multinational brands and on the other hand markets such as Anarkali gives shopping a new meaning with small shops in tight streets giving the public access to locally made clothes, bangles and other traditional goods at cheap rates.

Mall of Lahore

When it comes to religion Lahore holds in shrines of several sufi saints, the most of which is Data Darbar, the shrine of Abul Hassan Ali Hajvery. The shrines are always full of followers how come to pray and show their affection towards saints by whether simply offering prayers or distributing of Langar (food)

Data Darbar

The canal divides Lahore into 2 parts and is often decorated with lights and floats depicting traditional culture attracting not only the natives but those in the suburbs of Lahore to pay a visit and adore the beauty too.

Canal Bank Road

Lahore also holds the largest zoo of Pakistan established in 1872. The zoo is a massive attraction for the locals giving them a chance to be up close with the wildlife and adore Allah’s creation. Often packed with families at weekends the Lahore Zoo is a major attraction in the city.

Lahore Zoo

How can it be that if talking about the uniqueness of Lahore, the Mughal Architectural buildings are left behind. Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan Mosque are just a few architectural gems placed in the city adored by tourists all over the world. The old Lahore and its gates, tight streets help Lahore establish a unique historical and cultural image.

Mughal Architecture Building

Lahore isn’t behind in sports too. On Sundays parks and streets are occupied by cricket fanatics playing in almost every corner of the city. Sport facilities such as Gadaffi stadium help Lahore maintain its uniqueness as it’s the biggest stadium in the country.

Ariel View of Gadaffi Stadium

Parks and garden are another unique feature of the city specially considering Shalimar Garden, Laurance Park and Jillani Park which hold historical meaning to the city as well as offer the natives chances to blend in with nature during their free time.

Shalimar Garden

Well there is a reason why they say Lahore, Lahore Aye! The cities values, culture and tradition make it stand out and makes sure that whoever visits the city for the first time admits to the fact that there is no city such as Lahore. 

You can discover many more places of Lahore city and on going events on Locally Lahore App. Locally Lahore is a must have App, which allows you to explore Lahore and it covers up your all point of interest. It gives you information about latest events and happenings in Lahore.

Download Locally Lahore Android & iPhone App. Join locally lahore on G+ and Facebook to get in touch with the latest information and events of Lahore.

Find out more information of Locally Lahore App on www.locallylahore.com

Read more...

Posted by Unknowna at Monday, June 15, 2015 2 comments

Masjid Wazir Khan

The Masjid Wazir Khan is one of the beautiful, elegant and stunning mosques of the world and is a great landmark of architecture. Mosque of Wazir Khan is famous for its colorful fresco and tile decorations, both in its interior and exterior.

It was built in seven years, starting around 1634-1635 AD, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. It was built by Shaikh Ilm-ud-din Ansari, a native of Chiniot, who rose to be the court physician to Shah Jahan and later, the Governor of Lahore. He was commonly known as Wazir Khan. The word wazir means 'Minister' in Urdu language. The mosque is located inside the Inner City and is easiest accessed from Delhi Gate.

Wazir Khan Mosque Beautiful View

In 1993, the Government of Pakistan recommended the inclusion of the Wazir Khan Mosque as a World Heritage Site in UNESCO's World Heritage List, where it has been included in Pakistan's Tentative List for possible nomination to the World Heritage List by UNESCO.

History

Wazir Khan Mosque was built by the Governor of the Punjab (1041/1632), Hakim Ali-ud-din (sometimes also referred to as Ilmuddin) in 1634. He belonged to the Punjab town of Chiniot on the banks of the river Chenab, Aliuddin had been employed by prince Khurram (later Emperor Shah Jahan) as a physician. He rendered great service to the prince during the various campaigns, and became one of the most trusted aides of the emperor, it was Aliuddin, along with Prince Shah Shuja, who was entrusted with the task of bringing the body of the deceased queen Mumtaz Mahal from Burhanpur to Agra to be buried in the Taj Mahal.

Wazir Khan Mosque in 1895

He was granted the title of Wazir Khan in 1620, he was raised to the mansab (title) of 5000 foot and 3000 horse (panj-hazari) on Shah Jahan's accession to the Mughal throne (1037/1628). It is the same Wazir Khan, who was entrusted with the building of the Khwabgah and Hammam-e-Badshahi in Lahore Fort, just before Shah Jahan embarked on his journey to Kashmir in the summer of 1634 from Lahore, his first visit to the Punjab capital after ascending the throne.

Architecture

Covering an overall area of 279 ° x 159', the mosque is entirely constructed in cut and dressed bricks laid in kankar lime with a scanty sprinkling of red sandstone in the gate and the transept. The courtyard is divided into two parts the upper part is about 6 cm higher than the lower with the ablution tank in the middle. The courtyard is flanked on its east, north and south sides by 32 small hujras of different sizes.

Wazir Khan Mosque Lahore Interior

The prayer chamber on the west side is divided into five compartments by massive piers bearing wide, four centered arches and each compartment is crowned by a dome. At the northern and southern ends of the prayer chamber, a small room has been contrived in the central portion while on the eastern end there is a gallery opening into the spiral staircase lending to the roof. The main structural features of distinction are the four corner Minarets, the five domes and transept at the entrance gate on the east.

Tiles on the walls of Wazir Khan Mosque

The material used in the construction of the Mosque is a small tile-like brick universally used by the Mughals when stone was unusable or too costly. The only stone used in the building is used for brackets and some of the fretwork (Pinjra). The walls were coated with plaster (Chunam) and faced with a finely-soft quality of the same material tooled to a marble-like surface and colored.

All the external plaster work was richly colored a rich Indian red, in true fresco, and the surface afterwards picked out with white lines in the similitude of the small bricks beneath. The extreme severity of the lines of the building is relieved by the division of the surfaces into slightly sunk rectangular panels, alternatively vertical and horizontal, the vertical panels having usually an inner panel with arched head or the more florid cusped mihrab. These panels, where they are exposed to weather, are generally filled with a peculiar inlaid faience pottery called kashi, the effect of which must have been very fine when the setting of deep red plaster of the walls was intact.

Shiraz_Hassan Colorful Geometrical Design, Wazir Khan Mosque

The facade of the sanctuary is practically covered with kashi and is divided into the usual oblong panels. A beautiful border is carried rectangular round the center archway, and inscriptions in Persian characters occur in an outer border, in a long panel over the archway, and in horizontal panels along the upper portions of the lower walls to right and left. The spandrels are filled in with extremely fine designs.

With the Minarets, however, the facade of the sanctuary, and the entrance gateway, where a small portion of the surface was left for plaster, the effect of the gorgeous colors against the soft blue of a Punjabi sky, and saturated with brilliant sunlight and glowing purple shadow is indescribably rich and jewel-like.

Areas

Right next to the entrance on both right and left sides are several small rooms that were originally designed to be shops. All shops were closed and locked but the veranda right outside each shop was very beautiful, especially the colorful ceiling.

Once you enter the mosque’s prayer area, you see a water pond for wuzu (ablution) in the center of the courtyard and a huge colorful mosque-building is visible at the other end of the courtyard. There are small rooms on both right and left sides of the courtyard that were closed and a couple were in use by the mosque administration, imam and the students.

Courtyard of the Wazir Khan Mosque

Quite interestingly, In the basement of the courtyard of the mosque is situated the shrine of the saint Syed Muhammad Ishaq Gazruni, who died in the 14th century. On close inspection, it was discovered that the grave visible on the ground level was fake and the real grave was underground, some 10 feet right below the dummy grave on ground.

Tomb of Syed Muhammad Ishaq, within Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore

On all four corners of the mosque are traditional high minarets. These minarets are also covered completely with colored patterns and tiles that are in their original pretty colors even after almost four centuries.

Location Coordinates Faith Category Started Date Completed Date Order to Construct Status Architecture Style Covered area Dome(s) Minaret(s) Minaret height

Lahore, Pakistan 31°34′59.40″N 74°19′24.84″E Islam Mosque 1634-1635 A.D. 1641-1642 A.D. Wazir Khan (Shaikh Ilm-ud-din Ansari) Active Indo-Islamic/Mughal 279 x 159 5 4 100 feet

Reference:

• http://pkhistoricalplaces.blogspot.com/2011/04/wazir-khan-mosque.html
• http://infopediapk.weebly.com/wazir-khan-mosque1.html

You can discover more historical and interesting places of Lahore city on Locally Lahore. Locally Lahore is a must have App, which allows you to explore Lahore and it covers up all point of interest. It gives you information about latest events and happenings in Lahore. 

Download Locally Lahore Android & iPhone App. Join locally lahore on G+ and Facebook to get in touch with the latest information and events of Lahore. 

Find out more information of Locally Lahore App on www.locallylahore.com

Read more...

Posted by Anonymousa at Tuesday, June 09, 2015 0 comments