Quetta

 Quetta 

Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, 1692 metres above sea level, lies at the mouth of Bolan Pass. It has three large craggy mountains. Chiltan, Zarghun and Koh-e-Murdar,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. Quetta is connected to the rest of the country by road, rail and air. The R.C.D. Highway connects it to Karachi and then on (via Koh-e-Taftan) to Tehran, Iran, 1435 kms away. The road to Sibi connects it with Punjab and upper Sindh. The road via Loralai - Fort Munro -D.G. Khan and Multan is a short route for Punjab. The Chaman Road is a link between the county and the Afghan border. Quetta is linked by PIA with Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad by daily flights. Quetta is an excellent base for further exploration of Balochistan. Kan Mehtarzai (224 metres), the highest railway station in Asia, is a two-hour drive away. Loralai, the almond bowl of the country, is 265 kms away. Besides, there are numerSpecialities Quetta can rightly be called the fruit basket of Pakistan. Plums, peaches, pomegranates, apricots, apples, guavas (locally called zaitoon), some unique varieties of melon like "Garma" and "Sarda" and cherries, pistachios and almonds are all grown in abundance. Some pistachios also grow in Qila Saif Ullah also. Saffron grows very well on mountains around 5000 ft (1524 metres) high. It is being cultivated on a commercial scale here. Tulip is an indigenous flower of Pakistan. The yellow and red varieties of tulip grow wild around Quetta. ous other valleys that are fascinating places to be in for explorers.

People The inhabitants are mainly Pathans, Balochs and Brahuis. You can also find Uzbeks, Tajiks and Turkamen rubbing shoulders with the other inhabitants. Nomadic tribesmen pass through Quetta Valley during spring and autumn with their herds of sheep and camels 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 for their friendliness and hospitality. To make a visitor comfortable is part of their tradition, like the rest of the people of Pakistan.