In conversation with Zahid Hussain

Dialogue with History, Zahid Hussain’s latest book, is a compilation of thirty nine interviews with infuential leaders, local and international, who shaped the world in the last decades. Rehana Hakim, former editor or Newsline magazine, writes, “ Perceptive, probing and provocative, Zahid Hussain’s conversations with the movers and shakers of the world’s political, economic and social landscape read like an interview with history…Among the interviewees are luminaries from neighbouring India, Iran and Afghanistan (Rajiv Gandhi, Bani Sadr, Massoud Rajavi, Hamid Karzai, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. From Pakistan, there is an exclusive interview with the indomitable Bacha Khan and detailed conversations with Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, Pervez Musharraf, Dr. Mahbubul Haq, Asma Jahangir and others.”
Award- winning journalist and author Zahid Hussain began his career with Herald and Newsline in Karachi before becoming a correspondent of Times of London and the Wall Street Journal. He has authored several books including 'Frontline Pakistan', 'The Scorpion's Tail' and 'No Win War- The Paradox of US- Pakistan relations in Afghanistan's Shadow’ and ’Face to Face with Benazir. Dialogue with History is his latest publication.

Looking for adventure? Dont miss our exciting annual ride among the various Heritage sites in Taxila - Not to be missed!

Taxila (meaning "City of Cut Stone") is an important archaeological site of ancient India, located in Taxila city, Rawalpindi District of the Punjab, Pakistan, situated about 32 km (20 mi) north-west of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, just off the famous Grand Trunk Road.

Ancient Taxila was situated at the pivotal junction of the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia. The origin of Taxila as a city goes back to c. 1000 BCE. Some ruins date to the time of the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BCE, followed successively by Mauryan Empire, Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian, and Kushan Empire periods.

We will regroup at the Taxila Museum and get our bicycles from the truck. We will start our ride from the Taxila Museum and go to the different heritage sites ultimately returning back to the Taxila Museum. The ride would take min 4 hours with short stops at each site. We will be riding on and off road so chose your bicycle accordingly.

The Tila Charauni, at 1490m, is the highest peak of the Margalla Hills ridge adjacent to Islamabad. On a clear day, the views of the mountains in the north are amazing! The winter means the snowclad mountains of the North will be a treat to watch!

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 the meeting point and will use our own cars to reach Pir Sohawa, from where we will

start the hike.

Bring refreshments. Wear sturdy shoes & dress accordingly as it may get windy and cold !

Day Trip

Foreigners: Please check with your organisations for an NOC.
The Takht-e-Bahi Buddhist Monastery is one of the most impressive and well preserved pieces of Gandhara architecture in Pakistan. It is situated 14 km northwest of Mardan on the road to Swat (2 ½ hour drive from Islamabad). The reputation of Takht-e-Bahi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is based partially on the extraordinarily good state of preservation and partially on its glorious location. The site itself is located on the northern flanks of a rocky spur rising 150 meters (500 ft) above the plains.

On a clear day you can see across the plains as far as Peshawar on one side, and the Malakand pass and the Swat hills on the other. The monastery and stupas were founded in the 1st. Century AD and abandoned in the 7th century AD. You may also enjoy the famous local cuisine of “Chapli Kabab and Tandoori Nan" from one of the famous kabab shops in the Takht-e-Bahi bazaa
Trip Itinerary
Departure from Islamabad at 08:00 a.m. (Assembly Point: In front of United Bakery, Supper Market F-6, Islamabad at 7:45 a.m.)
Travel on Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway.
Short stay on the way for toilet break etc.
Take road to Mardan.
Arrival at Takht-e-Bahi
Visit historical site of Takht-e-Bahi along with local guide
Return to main road and stop at local restaurant.
Enjoy lunch of “Chapli Kabab and tandoori nan". (You may also bring your own refreshments as well).
Departure for Islamabad 3:30 pm
Arrival at Islamabad at around 6:30 pm.

An unforgettable evening- not to be missed!

'He weaves his voice with the pure, crystalline sounds of the Santur strings, to develop a repertoire both traditional and spiritual, gleaned during his years around the Mediterranean, as well as personal compositions and improvisations with influences ranging from Anatolian to Celtic or Persian music...'

French/ Morrocan Zakaria Haffar has played several string instruments, from the guitar to the Arabic ‘Oud’, before fully devoting himself to the ‘Santur’- a Persian ancient instrument with 72 metal strings, played with delicate wooden hammers. He has practiced on the 'Santur' for more than 10 years- as a solo artist and in bands, in Egypt, Turkey, Mali, and France.

• In collaboration with Alliance Francaise d’Islamabad & Serena Hotel

‘The National Art Gallery in Islamabad represents the cultural heritage of Pakistan, the visual as well as temporal. It represents the collective ethos of the nation…’

Renowned Islamabad architect Naeem Pasha will present his newly published book “Documenting the National Art Gallery”, which charts a remarkable 27-year long journey to build Pakistan’s National Art Gallery. The journey culminated in a stunning inaugural show that highlighted Pakistan's extraordinary visual art.

For more than 35 years, Pasha co-owned Rohtas Gallery, one of Islamabad’s first and foremost art galleries. A poet and a painter- apart from being an architect- he is the recipient of the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in recognition of a lifetime of service to art and architecture. Among numerous others, he has also designed the St Thomas Church in Islamabad, the Pakistan Air force Academy in Risalpur and the State-Life Tower- that dominates Islamabad’s Blue Area.

He will be in conversation with architect Hammad Husain whose many works include government and commercial buildings as well as private residences.

The National Art Gallery (NAG) Islamabad- established in 2007- is located in the heart of Islamabad, near the Parliament House and is part of the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). It Showcases Pakistan's rich cultural heritage and contemporary art, and features works by renowned Pakistani artists, including: Sadequain, Shakir Ali, Zulfiqar Zaidi, Gulgee, Anna Molka Ahmed .It also regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, workshops, and lectures. The Permanent Collections include: Modern and Contemporary Art,Calligraphy and Islamic Art, Sculpture Garden, Textile and Folk Art.

• In collaboration with PNCA

Daman-e-Koh is a viewing point and hill top garden -north of Islamabad and located in the middle of the Margalla Hills. Its name is a conjunction of two Persian words, which put together mean 'foot hills.' It is about 2400 ft from sea level and almost 500 ft from the city of Islamabad.

The 'Monal' climb has become of the iconic climbs for Cycling in Islamabad.We will go upto where the Monal restaurant was located on Pir Sohawa Road at an altitude of 3,500 feet (1,100 m). A popular destination for the residents as well as the visitors to the capital. Monkeys are a common sight along the road side, attracted by the food given by tourists.

The ride is Medium and Tough ride. We will ultimately ride where the Monal restaurant was located but for those who want to keep it easy can join the ride initially till Damn-e-Koh. Those returning during the ride please inform the coordinators.

The Impossible (2012) - Thailand / USA

Director: J. A. Bayona / Screenplay: Sergio G. Sánchez & María Belón

Awards: Academy Award Nomination: Best Actress (Naomi Watts)

Cast: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Samuel Joslin, Marta Etura, Oaklee Pendergast

An emotionally realistic film, it is extremely compelling in its epic recreation of the catastrophic Indian Ocean 'Tsunami' -that hit Thailand the day after Christmas in 2004...one of the worst natural disasters in history.

The screenplay charts the true story of a British couple (Ewan McGregor & Naomi Watts) and their three sons (Tom Holland, Oaklee Pendergast and Samuel Joslin) who arrive to spend their Christmas vacation at a peaceful beach resort.

Their idyllic holiday is shattered when a Tsunami hits the resort. In the chaos of the giant wave and swirling waters the family gets separated. The mother and her eldest son are swept away by the waves and she is seriously injured by debris. They manage to find their way to a makeshift hospital where her injuries almost prove fatal and she has to be operated upon.Meanwhile her husband and their other two sons manage to survive the onslaught. He puts the two young boys in the care of a family and goes in search of his wife and son...

Will the family be reunited or is tragedy in store for them as it proved to be for tbousands of victims?

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

The 'Leopard Trail’ in the Leopard Preservation Zone is a unique biodiversity spot nestled in the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) Islamabad. 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 walking shoes.

Türkiye is a land of many landscapes, topographies and therefore many 'food' styles. Its cuisine evolved based on numerous cultural interactions throughout centuries, especially during the Ottoman Empire, and has now acquired an international status...

An opportunity to test / taste the delicious authentic Türkiye dishes prepared by experts!

-Turkish dips, Adana kebabs, Shish Touk, Chicken Shawarma served with bread and rice- topped by a special Kibbeh dish of ultra-lean meat, bulgur, onion purée and spices. And lets not forget the delicious Turkish dessert-Baklava flaky pastry layers filled with chopped nuts and drenched in sweet syrup - served along with the Turkish tea!