Cycling - RIDE TO DAMAN-E-KOH

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A 'climbing' ride this month!

We will collect at the Zoo Parking lot, and ride up to Daman-e-Koh and back. If you want to challenge yourself, you can continue further to Monal Restaurant.

It is a Medium ride and it’s on the road so all kinds of cycling enthusiasts can join!

Route: Zoo > Daman-e-koh > Back to start or disperse and ride further to Monal after informing Coordinators.

Please Note:

• It is an outdoor event but please follow the Covid 19 SOP's.

• Bicycle: Must be fully checked with working brakes! Get your bicycle checked a day before the ride.

• If you need a bicycle it can be rented (Members Rs. 500/-) you can collect the bikes directly from AeroCycling (0313-2925478) just show your ASG membership card for special rates!

• Helmets: Strongly advised, for your own safety

• Refreshments: Bring your own/or enjoy the food offerings on the streets!

• 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!

• For Registration: SMS your Name, Mobile No and ASG ID on 0333-5111666

• Ride type: Easy

• Bike Type: Any

Disclaimer: ASG and CMI shall not accept any liability for any injury, loss, or damage incurred from participating in the event.

Hiking - PHARILLA FOREST REST HOUSE

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As we hike on the Margalla Ridge from Pir Sohawa, a narrow and curvy stretch of the scenic Pharilla Track offers pine trees, small streams and panoramic view of the nearby areas...

An old forest rest house from the British Era is located at Pharilla, approximately 8Km from Pir Sohawa. Maintained by the CDA, it provides the perfect picnic spot!

All SOP’s to be strictly observed.

Travel by convoy. Car Pooling to be avoided.

Distance: 20Km round trip (from/to PirShoawa)

Elevation Gain: 450m

Hike Rating: Strenuous (because of the distance)

Wear sturdy shoes; bring refreshments.Also do not forget camera/phone as you do not want to miss taking shots of the beautiful views!

People who have not registered will not be allowed to join the hike.

Arts & Crafts - THE ART OF HAL BEVAN-PETMAN (1894-1980)

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A multi-media presentation/display/conversation:

‘Henry Charles (Hal) Bevan-Petman, was born in Britain. He graduated with a Fine Arts degree from the Slade School of Art in 1917. His parents, moved to the Subcontinent where they had several businesses amongst some of which were coalmines in the Baluchistan region. Research shows Hal was the third generation of his family to reside in India, then under British rule. Hal and his third wife Berylle Dyer, whom he met, and married in Lahore some years before partition, settled down to a life residing in Rawalpindi Club, with the hot summers spent in Murree and Bhurban. She was very supportive of his work and the two of them became a part of the fabric of Pakistan society...’

Pakistan, in the the 50s, 60s and 70s – saw a consistent high in Petman’s popularity. His clientele was the elite, with distinguished backgrounds, who vied for a portrait to be done by him. Included in the list were several notable personalities and/or their spouses. Ranging from the Nawab of Bahawalpur, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan, and various subsequent Presidents and Military Commanders. He was also commissioned to paint military battle scenes which now adorn the walls of numerous Pakistan Military Academic Institutions. However, his signature style by which he is remembered mostly today is of those doe- eyed , long necked socialite beauties of the day-known as ‘The Petman Girls’!

In later years, labelled as “a commissioned artist”, he was shunned by the local art scene, his particular niche artistry lost in a flood of modernism. However this did not apparently make a dent in his appreciation as an artist, as his portraiture reached British Royalty where four of his works are displayed in Sandringham House , gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by the Government of Pakistan in 1961. These paintings form a part of the Royal Art Collection.

Amateur researcher Romano Karim Yusuf has been tracing Hal Bevan Petman's story for three decades. He shares in this presentation a small piece of history and an aspect of culture; a walk into the lives of the people who had been an important part of an almost forgotten history when portraiture was done in the classical style of a traditional oil painting, and considered and respected as an art form- a refreshing addition to the Pakistani art scene and local art history. Based on her correspondence with Romano , Hal’s granddaughter is now writing a book on her grandfather.

Gardening / Botanical Walks - A HAVEN FOR GARDENING ENTHUSIASTS!

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An opportunity not to be missed!

A Self-Drive programme. Travel in convoy. Avoid car pooling with non-family members...

We will visit a beautifully landscaped, private farmhouse located at Tumair (within the Islamabad Capital Territory) approximately 25 k.m. from Chak Shahzad area. The drive to the farm is 30-45 minutes.

With a stream running through it, circling the immaculately manicured lawns…a wide variety of flowers and an extensive collection of fruiting trees, the garden is at its peak in early spring with all its highlighted features at their best!

· The presentation will be followed by tea and snacks and over before sunset.

· This is an outdoor event. Please follow Covid related SOPs.

Literature - POETRY AND FEMINISM

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An Evening with Kishwar Naheed

Kishwar Naheed is a well-known feminist Urdu poet and writer. She has been bestowed the Sitara-i-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan,and many other awards for her works including the Nelson Mandela Prize and the prestigious UNESCO award for Children Literature.

A prominent activist engaged in women and children rights, she has also headed several important institutions such as the PNCA in Islamabad. In 2016, she published her autobiography, “A Bad Woman’s Story”, which was been very well received nationally and internationally.

Her poetry has been translated into several languages .

Wildlife & Environment - ALONG THE ANCIENT 'ALEXANDER ROUTE'

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A very special ‘nature’ walk..an opportunity not to be missed!
Self Drive

Please Note: Foreigners: NOC’s required

Join us on a very special nature walk along the ancient 'Alexander Route' through the scenic Margalla Hills. As we traverse through the area, you will be briefed on the indigenous wildlife, local flora, history, heritage / ancient cultures, and the environmental impacts of deforestation in the region. Given the season, spring will be at its peak with birds- unique to this area- serenading us with their songs!

We will travel to the base camp at Gharyala next to the Buddha Caves and from there to the Kenthla mountain top (some parts of the area are in Haripur District of KP). We will then reach the walking track at Papran De Khoe for a 120 minutes nature trek.

As we walk along the route we will be able to observe signs of mining in the region and fossils preserved from various geologic ages. This is also an opportunity to stop at Alexander’s well (reputedly dug by Alexander’s army) and check out the oldest mango tree- unique to this region!

On the way back, we will take a pit stop at an outdoor restaurant ‘Sadhu’s Retreat’, to relax and- if you like- order some refreshments!

Wear sturdy walking shoes and wear appropriate clothing keeping weather conditions in mind!

Adventure Club - KETAS, KHEWRA SALT MINES & KALLAR KAHAR

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Adventure Club - KETAS, KHEWRA SALT MINES & KALLAR KAHAR

A day trip to explore the historical sites of this fascinating area!

Foreigners: Please check for need of NOCs/Security clearance well in time.

The Salt Range comprises of two rows of low lying rugged hills that run east to west between the Soan and Jhelum rivers- from the Grand Trunk Road near Jhelum city to the River Indus near Kalabagh. This area is said to record 600 million years of the earth’s history. The name comes from the vast deposits of rock salt exposed and mined at Khewra. The salt was left behind when the sea, which extended over the Indus plains and the Potohar plateau, evaporated 600 million years ago. The rocks and fossils found around the salt range provide a complete record of the history of the Earth.

Historically this region is also very rich. Alexander the Great passed through the Salt Range on his way to fight a battle with King Porus on the banks of the Jhelum River in 326 BC. In the 3rd century BC, this area became part of Ashoka’s Buddhist Empire. Towards the end of the Buddhist period, in the 6th century AD, there was a kingdom in the Salt Range called Singhapura, probably centered at Ketas. From 7th to 10th centuries, the Salt Range was part of the powerful Kashmiri Hindu kingdom. Mahmood Ghazni invaded the region in the early 11th century. The local tribes were converted to Islam at this time.

The Salt Range Wetlands Complex comprises of a series of adjacent lakes – Kallar Kahar, Khabbeki, Ucchali, Jhalar, and Namal. These lakes provide an important wintering ground for migratory birds and are the core habitat for the endemic Punjab Urial.

Cycling - A RIDE AROUND F-9 PARK

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Join us for a 'family' ride around the F9 Park!

A ride specially planned for newcomers who want to test their biking skills on a relatively easy ride- since it is on the road, all kinds of bicycles can join. Children can come along too, if they want to ride inside the park!

Route: Bolan Gate (F-10 Side) Parking > Service road East > Jinnah Avenue > 9th Avenue > Margalla Road > Service road East > Back to start or disperse.

Please Note:

• It is an outdoor event but please do bring your face mask with you and follow the Covid 19 SOP.

• Bicycle: Must be fully checked with working brakes! Get your bicycle checked a day before the ride.

• If you need a bicycle it can be rented (Members Rs. 500/-) you can collect the bikes directly from AeroCycling (0313-2925478) just show your ASG membership card for special rates!

• Helmets: Strongly advised, for your own safety

• Refreshments: Bring your own/or enjoy the food offerings on the streets!

• 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: Easy
• Bike Type: Any

Disclaimer: ASG and CMI shall not accept any liability for any injury, loss, or damage incurred from participating in the event.

Gardening / Botanical Walks - PLANTING YOUR FAVOURITE FRUIT TREE AND PICNIC AT A PRIVATE LAKE

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As the winter cold eventually subsides and spring arrives, we should get ready to plant our favourite fruit trees this season!

We will visit a beautiful adobe house on a hill near Simly Dam, via a purpose built road that has been carved into the hill to access it. The garden and the surrounding mountains offer stunning panoramic views and seem to enjoy a symbiotic relationship!

We will gather in the garden on the hilltop to discuss fruit plant types that are suitable for this region and the factors to keep in mind while planting : site preparation, planting time, care during and after planting and other related issues...

and then find our own spot by the lakeside for a picnic!

Bring your favourite refreshments/ mats or folding chairs to enjoy the gorgeous view , relax and have a good time!!

AND AS A SPECIAL TREAT!!!
Each participant will be gifted a fruit plant to grow in their own garden before heading home!

Adventure Club, Hiking & Archaeology – ‘TILLA JOGIAN’ - SALT RANGE

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A day trip/ hike

Travel by coaster observing strict SOP's.

Alberuni in his travelogue “Kitab ul Hind” has mentioned the legendary ‘Tilla Jogian’ (Peak of Jogis) near Jhelum as the center of Jogis (Ascetics). This centuries-old monastery of Jogis was in existence when Alexander the Great fought the famous battle with Raja Porus near this ‘Tilla’ in 326 BC. It has also been known as ‘Tilla Gorakh Nath’ and ‘Tilla Bal Nath’ at different times. The remnants of the monastery and shrine still exist like a big pond with balconies, masonry tombs, places for meditation, banyan trees, etc.

Tilla Jogian is the highest peak in the Salt Range 3200 feet above sea level. It offers a panoramic view of the Potohar plateau and splendid scenic beauty throughout the trip.

We will travel on the G T road and then about 35km off-G T road to reach (via Domaili & Gattat villages) at the village ‘Bheet’ located at the base of Tilla Jogian Mountain.

One-way travel time is about one and a half hour or slightly more. The hill is quite steep and after a maximum one & half hour’s moderate to strenuous hike, we will reach the top .

Wear sturdy shoes; bring own refreshments.