The historic abandoned airport is located in the village basal in Jand constituency of district Attock, from the Punjab province. If you travel on Kohat road, from Jand, approximately 22km drive, there comes mithyal chowk and more 3km away there is Kisraan chowk from where you have to go left to reach out to your destination. The road is very rough and broken. After for more 500-meter drive, here comes the premise of the abandoned airport. The airport has a 2km long runway. Some signs of cement structure indicate the premises of the airport. Along with the airport, there is a 4km long taxiway that joints the runway from two ways. Ironically, there is no proper building or structure on the location that can consider as airport building however, there are two pillars of some unknown building. The formation of the airport has several myths. Some people believe that it was constructed at the end of the 19th century however, some beliefs about the beginning of the 20th century. Though, it is confirmed that it was built in the era of British rule for the sake of war and military activities. It is not confirmed about First World War however, in the Second World War, the airport was used by the British military. Some locals believe, in the war of 1965 and 1971 between India and Pakistan, this airport was partially used by the Pakistan Airforce. In the contemporary situation, the airport is destroyed and abandoned. The only use of this historic abandoned airport remains as for driving practices and sports activities by the locals. According to the local villagers, till 2000, the airport was used by the Pakistan Airforce for the partial aircraft landing training however, from the long time PAF did not pay any attention to this historic and precious airport.

Noori is the famous folk character of Sindhi culture. There are thousands of stories and events are associated with Noori and her spouse Jaam Tamachi. Several local and international documentaries, dramas, and stage plays have been made on Noori and Jam Tamachi’s love story. The folk characters have great significance in the local Sindh community even, people love to name their kids as Noori and Jam Tamachi. The central character Noori is also known and called Mai Noori by the locals.

Lake Keenjhar is been located 130 km away from Karachi city, the provisional capital of the Sindh and economical hub of Pakistan. There are several resorts been established on the Keenjhar Lake from where you can rent out private boats to have boating and to reach out to the tomb of Mai Noori.

The tomb is inside the lake in the distance of almost 4km. Another tomb can be seen in the lake before the central one of Mai Noori’s which is known as the tomb of the spiritual teacher of Mai Noori. The distance between both tombs can be measured at around 500 km. In the Keenjhar Lake, still, some signs are remaining of the fishermen community from the era of Mai Noori. The water of the lake is clean and hygienic however, it remains always rampant due to heavy winds. The tomb is a roofless round shaped small building that can be reached through stairs from the ground, however, is present, these stairs can hardly be seen due to heavy water in the lake. There are two graves in the tomb, one is known as Shah Hondro’s grave (the spiritual teacher) and the second one is about Mai Noori’s. The famous folk story about Noori and his beloved Jam Tamachi reveals that Noori was the daughter of a poor fisherman however, Jam Tamachi was a rich man who was also part of feudal lords. The interesting thing that makes the love story unique and different from other folk stories, that it was not an incomplete but complete and successful love story. Noori and Jam Tamachi went married and lived happily after.

Afterward, Noori went died in the life of Jam Tamachi and he buried her in the same place beside the lake where they met the first time. However, at that time the area was not underwater. In the era of President (late) Gen. Ayub Khan, the lake got reconstructed and expanded on a massive area, however, as a goodwill gesture and respect, the authorities made sure to secure the tomb and made it approximately 100 feet heightened than the lake. Noori’s husband Jam Tamachi was buried in the historic graveyard of Makli that is 35km away from Keenjhar Lake. The unforgettable folk story of Noori and Jam Tamachi is been discussed by several poets even famous folk poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai also had discussed the story in his poetry. The tomb of Noori in the middle of Keenjhar Lake will tell the unforgettable love story of Noori and Jam Tamachi till the end of life.

It was a long time waiting, I have been planning to go Lahore for a “khapa” trip for long time now, So that time finally came. I am living in Islamabad so this time I choose not to drive to Lahore as I was alone.
So now I had to think on how to go there, options were by bus or a train. I have been in love with Trains and Railway Stations for long but I rarely get to ride on it. So this I was firm on using Train for one side, as timing was suiting me for Islamabad to Lahore so I choose to go by Train from Islamabad to Lahore using Islamabad Express.
Islamabad Express train leaves from Margla Railway Station Islamabad at 05:15PM and reaches Lahore at 10:30PM as per there website www.pakrail.gov.pk. I went onto there website and purchased a ticket for 1010PKR (10 Rs for Dam fund) using JazzCash for Friday 15th March 2019. I must say its very easy to buy tickets now.
So now I had to get ticket for return and I decided to spend extra money to check the new Qconnect bus service. Qconnect bus service only works from Islamabad to Lahore and return. I bought ticket using there website http://qconnect.pk for whopping 3500 PKR. Its steep yes but I wanted to try, so what can we say 🙂

So there comes the time and day for my departure from Islamabad. My office is in I-8 so it was quite convenient for me to reach Margla Railway Station Islamabad as it was in I-9. I reached Station at 05:10PM approx. Train left the station around 05:25PM (almost 10 minutes late).
This train takes 2 stops, first at Rawalpindi Station for 20 minutes and then Chaklala Station for 2 minutes. After some time during the travel, staff serving meals, they were serving it like it were free but they were not. Meal had one chicken piece, Sandwich and fires, it was for 260 Rs, I wouldn’t say it was expensive provided it was hot and fresh. They were also serving tea and cofee for 30 and 60 Rs. Rest of the way went ok, we reached Lahore Railway Station on time at 10:30PM.

Qamar was waiting there for me, as I only come for a weekend so we had no time to waste so we didn’t waste any. We planned to go to Butt Karahi but as I just had Butt Karahi 2 days ago from Islamabad so we changed plan and went to Amratsari Hareesa which was close to Lakshmi chowk.

We ordered one bowl of Amratsari Hareesa which was for 480 PKR, We were 2 people and it was enough for us. We got Nans with it and had a go at it. It was Yummish, we were told that its made with mutton kabab, we can see the pieces as its not all creamy like normal Haleem we eat. What ever it was , it was very good and we thoroughly enjoyed it. One problem with Amratsari Hareesa resturant was that it had an okish sitting place , only mineral water and no glasses which was strange to hear for from a Lahori street restaurant.

The Islamabad Serena Hotel stands at the foot of the Margalla Hills on fourteen acres of areas with beautiful gardens and serene water shore near the Rawal Lake, next to the Diplomatic Enclave. The architecture and interiors of this fabulous hotel building is a mere reflection typical of Pakistani of cultural heritage also depicting the skills and craftsmanship. Being state-of-the art building, the hotel beautifully combines traditional systems equipped with latest technologies.