Cycling – GOLRA RAILWAY STATION & THE HERITAGE RAILWAY MUSEUM

A mighty steam locomotive that used to haul luxury coaches across the scenic routes of the plains of Punjab and the rolling hills of the North West, a well- appointed Museum housing artifacts of pre- partition days, will take you on a nostalgic journey of days gone by...

Located on the outskirts of Islamabad, Golra Sharif Junction Railway was established in 1882 during British rule and upgraded as a Junction in 1912. Numerous old Banyan trees and the Railway Station with its Victorian architecture in yellow stone masonry, is considered a prime heritage site!

Those of you that are not cycling enthusiasts but would like to visit the Station, please coordinate with the Coordinators of the Cycling Group!

Those returning during the ride please inform the coordinators.

• Route: F-9 park >Khayaban-e-Iqbal / Margalla Road > E-11 Service Rd West ->Golra Rd. ->Golra Railway station> Back to starting point
• Helmets: Strongly advised, for your own safety
• Refreshments: Bring your own for a picnic at the site
• Camera/Phone: For preserving your memories!
• Save the number: Of your Ride Coordinator for guidance/assistance regarding route or in case you intend to leave the group halfway during the ride!
• Ride type: Medium/Bike Type: Any
• Disclaimer: ASG shall not accept any liability for any injury, loss, or damage incurred from participating in the event.

Non- Members: For further information contact ASG Office: 051-2802343 Thursday- Saturday : 11 am- 2 pm

Please Note: The area is outside Islamabad: Foreigners/ diplomats will require an NOC to participate.
Miranjani at 2980m (9800ft) is the highest mountain of the Galiyat region. The hike is around 5Km long (one way) and has stunning views of the beautiful valleys and the Himalayas of Kashmir. If lucky, we may get a glimpse of the mighty Nanga Parbat from the top. We will take the road via Murree and it will take us about an hour and a half to reach Nathia gali from where the hike will start.
Our transport will be coaster with limited seats.
Wear sturdy shoes; Dress appropriately.It is recommended to bring your own refreshments and not rely on the local vendor
Don’t forget your camera/phone for some special memories!
Hike Rating is Hard (the same as Trail 3 hike) with a distance of around 10Km for the complete loop.

Non- Members: For further information contact ASG Office: 051-2802343 Thursday- Saturday : 11 am- 2 pm

Foreign members interested to join this trip are requested to apply for their NOC well in time.

Swat is without doubt one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the northern Pakistan. With a rich historical past. It was described as “Udyana”(the garden) in ancient Hindu epics . In 327 BC, Alexander the Great fought and won some of his major battles here before crossing over to the plains of the five rivers- the Punjab.. The famous Gandhara Buddhist civilization later flourished in this valley.

There are many remains of Buddhist stupas, monasteries and settlements in the lower Swat. The area is full of rich and amazing archaeological sites in an environment still intact and dominated by the calm majesty of Mount Ilam. In the area south of Barikot, in about 200 sq km, archeologists have documented more than 400 sites from proto-history to Islam.

Under a joint venture, Italian ACT- Field School Project and Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan is working jointly to promote community based ecotourism in the area of Lower Swat Valley. We have designed a very special three days archaeological exploration trip to lower Swat .The trip involve some easy hiking to reach to the view points on archaeological sites so dress appropriately & wear good comfortable walking shoes!

Detailed trip joining instructions will be issued to the confirm trip participants well in time.

Trip Itinerary

Day-1

• Departure from Islamabad at 07:30 am
• En-route commentary about sites of tourist interest on the way.
• Visit archaeological site of Takht-e-Bahi near Mardan
• Lunch: (carry pack lunch with you to save time)
• Visit archaeological site of Bazira near Barikot
• Continue travel towards Mingora/Saidu Sharif
• Visit Shingardar Stupa.
• Arrival at Mingora/Saidu Sharif in the evening.
• Transfer to hotels.
• Dinner and night stay at hotel.

Day-2

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit Swat Museum
• Visits Batkara Stupa
• Visit Jahanabad Buddha
• Visit shops of handicrafts en route.
• Lunch at hotel along Swat river
• Return to hotel for rest and freshen up
• Departure for visit to Muraghzar to visit White Place of Wali Swat
• Return to hotel and dinner and night stay at hotel.

Day-3

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Check out from hotel
• Departure for return travel to Islamabad.
• Arrival Udegram
• Visit archaeological sites of Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi’s Mosque
• Visit remains of Raja Gira’s Castle (short hike involved)
• Visit Galeghai cave and Buddha image on rock along the road.
• Departure for Amluk-dara Stupa.
• Visit Amluk-dara Stupa
• (Carry pack Lunch to save time)
• Return to main road
• Stop en-route for tea and freshen up
• Departure for Islamabad.

Estimated time of arrival of group at Islamabad at around 6:30 pm.

'Baaji' -

Director: Saqib Malik

Screenplay: Irfan Ahmed Urfi

Cast: Meera, Amna Ilyas, Osman Khalid Butt, Ali Kazmi, Nisho, Mohsin Abbas Haider, Nayyar Ejaz, Mehwish Hayat, Aamir Qureshi, Angeline Malik, Ali Azmat, Mustafa Qureshi, Humayun Saeed, Sania Saeed

Irfan Ahmed Urfi's female-centric screenplay revolves around the relationship between two very different women who bond as friends but jealousy and intrigue shatters their friendship resulting in tragedy..every dream has a price !

A poor but ambitious young woman (Amna Ilyas) -from the 'other side of the tracks' (the old city in Lahore)- by chance becomes an assistant to a glamorous movie queen (Meera) whose popularity is seriously on the wane.

Desperate to regain her position as star, she accepts an offer as the leading lady in a film by a hot new director (Osman Khalid Butt) just returned from America. Both women fall for him leading to a love triangle that wrings itself into a frenzy of lust, longing, desire, treachery and ultimately murder.

Amna Ilyas gives a superbly nuanced performance balancing her two very different lives - as the poor woman living in a cramped house in the old city, who transforms into a confident do-gooder thanks to her new job as friend, confidante and advisor to her rich benefactress ,while living in a huge modern mansion. Lollywood star Meera, making a comeback on the big screen, easily captures the star quality of a famous screen diva, as she moves stealthily across the screen stunningly dressed in high fashion. The entire cast - many appearing in small cameo parts - provide superb support to the two main characters. The film incorporates two memorable classic songs - ''Yeh Aaj Mujh Ko Kya Hua'' & ''Oh, Don't be Silly' - giving them a modern upbeat tempo.

The film's most memorable moment comes during the rap ''item'' number - ''Gangster Guriya'' - danced by actress-singer Mehwish Hayat, while many famous Pakistani celebrities from the world of fashion, music, television and cinema make cameo appearances.

Saqib Malik, a long-time movie buff and a successful director of music videos, makes his celebrated debut as a film director. The plot incorporates many vivid movie-going memories from past films and superbly placed contemporary Pakistani pop culture. The film has been recognised at numerous International film festivals and some of the top Award platforms in Pakistan.

Non- Members: For further information contact ASG Office: 051-2802343 Thursday- Saturday : 11 am- 2 pm

Join us for an exclusive programme : the ‘Leopard Trail’ in the Leopard Preservation Zone- a unique biodiversity spot nestled in the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) Islamabad.

The guided tour is a rare opportunity for nature enthusiasts . Unique insights -by experts in the field -regarding leopards and their habitat !

With scenic views, serene nature and a barely touched ecosystem, this trail is located in the heart of Leopard territory, which means that there are good chances of spotting leopards, deer and other wildlife!

Since we intend to witness wildlife up close, we will be accompanied and guided by trained staff of MHNP who will tell us about their experiences with the leopards, their nature, habitat and recordings from trap cameras and about the other wildlife in the newly formed Leopard Preservation Zone. The programme will end with a projector documentary about the new trail and wildlife in MHNP.

The hike is approximately 2 Km, we suggest that you use a mosquito repellant, wear full-sleeved clothes and sturdy shoes.

Non- Members: For further information contact ASG Office: 051-2802343 Thursday- Saturday: 11 am- 2 pm

Join us for an exciting 'tasting' trip to Hungary- Mrs. Grafi & Dr. István GRAFJODI (serving as a Diplomat with the Hungarian Embassy, in Islamabad) have very kindly extended an invitation to share their rich heritage with us!

Hungarian food is a reflection of Hungary's continental climate.

Primarily a blend of Ottoman, Eastern , Central and Southern European influences over a base of traditional elements from Central Asia, the cuisine can be considered a melting pot-with a culinary base formed from its own, original Magyar background!

Traditional Hungarian dishes are primarily based on meats, vegetables (especially potatoes), fruits, bread, and dairy products, paprika and spices. For centuries, noodles have been central to the cuisine. The ever popular Goulash, is recognized as the quintessential Hungarian dish.Dishes like stuffed peppers, schnitzel, and cholent have gradually seeped into the mainstream thanks to the Ottoman and Austrian influences.

Also notable are the countless dessert dishes that originated in Austria-Hungary. They are served warm. The most common dessert in Hungary is 'Palacsinta' - a crepe-like unyeasted pancake rolled with fruit jam, cottage cheese, or cinnamon sugar...

Non- Members: For further information contact ASG Office: 051-2802343 Thursday- Saturday: 11 am- 2 pm

In conversation with Yasser Latif Hamdani, a Human Right's barrister and Advocate of the High Courts of Pakistan.

How did the leader of the All-India Muslim League become the figurehead of the creation of a separate independant country for Muslims? And what are the roots of the different facets of Jinnah’s personality, steely determination, and political views, including secularism?

With his book “Jinnah- A Life”, Yasser Latif Hamdani presents a thoroughly researched biography of Muhamed Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan and a central figure in recent history of South Asia and the shaping of the Sub Continent.

This comprehensive and well-documented biography based on new material gives insights into of Jinnah’s life that cristallized him as the central figure in the recent history of South Asia and the shaping of the sub-continent .

Hamdani in his book, explores how Jinnah’s early life and life events shaped his complex personality. His unshakable will and determination to achieve his goals and his gradual shift from being a staunch nationalist advocating for the protection of Muslim rights and achieving greater political influence for Muslims inside an independant India, to demanding the creation of separate Muslim state in 1947...

Non- Members: For further information contact ASG Office: 051-2802343 Thursday- Saturday : 11 am- 2 pm

Saturday

Guests Welcome!

Join us in celebrating ASG's 50th. year in Islamabad

with Arieb Azhar- as he introduces us to the famous Sufi Saints of the Punjab through a presentation/ renditions and music!

Punjab- the land of 5 rivers has been a crucible for culture, philosophy and poetry through the ages. Much of the folk music in this area developed around the poetry of the Sufi saints who presented the essence of diverse cultures in a unified expression of poetic thought.

Their profound yet simple message has been resonating for over eight centuries and their verses can still be heard on the lips of every balladeer from the Punjab!

Guest Presenter: Arieb Azhar is an acclaimed musician, writer and producer with over thirty five years of experience in the Performing Arts. A pioneer of performing and interpreting Sufi poetry for contemporary audiences , he has been featured in all the leading music platforms of the country, including three seasons of 'Coke Studio'. He has been featured in the US/ Pakistani film 'Without Shepherds', and has produced several documentary films including the Award- Winning feature 'Indus Blues' about Pakistan's endangered musical instruments. Recently he has written and produced a theatre play 'The River's Daughter' which has one wide critical acclaim locally and abroad!

Non- Members: For further information contact ASG Office: 051-2802343 Thursday- Saturday : 11 am- 2 pm

SaturdayDay Trip

Foreign members interested to join this trip are requested to apply for their NOC well in time.

Pakistan is now included in the list of good quality olive oil producing countries. The area of the Salt Range is perfect for olive cultivation and farmers have planted a large number of trees on their land in this area.

Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan (STFP) is working on the idea of promoting Sustainable Olive Tourism in the rural areas of Salt Range by involving the local community .

ASG in collaboration with STFP has planned a day trip to the area of Kallar Kahar and Chakawal to visit an olive farm at a very scenic location. On this Sunday the farmers of this area are organizing an Olive Festival, where the visitors will be able to participate in olive -picking activites and also buy various products :Fresh olives , extra virgin olive oil, olive pickles, olive tea, olive cosmetics, soap and many other items.

Trip Itinerary

• Departure from Islamabad at 07:30 am.
• Travel on Motorway M-2 and enjoy the scenery of salt range
• Visit an Olive Farm at Kallar Kahar and participate in different activities
• Enjoy a traditional lunch at a rural location
• Walking tour of olive farm and an opportunity to purchase different products .
• Return travel to Islamabad
• Arrival at Islamabad at around 7:00 pm.

Non- Members: For further information contact ASG Office: 051-2802343 Thursday- Saturday : 11 am- 2 pm

Tila Charauni, at 1490m, is the highest peak of the Margalla Hills ridge adjacent to Islamabad. Hike to this peak has been one of the most regular hikes in our ASG calendar. Get ready for another awesome one!

Total distance of the hike is 10Km, half of which is the climb to the top. It is categorized as a moderate level hike.

We will gather at 6:00am at the Japanese Park Playland parking and will use our own cars to reach Pir Sohawa, from where we start the hike.

Wear sturdy shoes; bring refreshments

Non- Members: For further information contact ASG Office: 051-2802343 Thursday- Saturday: 11 am- 2 pm