The Second Ridge is just outside Islamabad, in the KPK region. Pl. NOTE: NOC may be required for foreigners/ diplomats

The Second Ridge has been one of our favourite hiking tracks! The views of the snow-clad Himalayas make this very special as it shows the diversity of the flora of the Margalla Hills. The whole track is covered with tall pine trees, and listening to the whispering of pines in the cool breeze is an experience on its own!

If the weather is clear. The climax of the hike is the lake's viewpoint from where both Khanpur and Rawal Lake can be seen!

The total distance is 12 km (return trip).

The hike rating is Medium (Easy long walk on top of the ridge)

We will go together in our own cars in convoy.

Wear sturdy shoes; bring your own refreshments. Dress appropriately. Don’t forget your camera/phone for some special memories!

Join us on a journey through the Mediterranean known for its hospitality and delicious cuisine !

Mediterranean cuisine encompasses the diverse cooking styles and foods from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, characterized by an emphasis on fresh produce, olive oil, whole grains, legumes, and fish. Key ingredients include fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and lean proteins, with a moderate intake of dairy, poultry, and limited amounts of red meat. This approach to eating is celebrated for its natural flavors, health benefits, and balanced, plant-focused recipes.

With its regional diversity the cuisine spans countries like Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, and North African nations such as Morocco and Egypt.

You will get an opportunity to taste:

• Harira soup : Morocco,
• Spinach spaghetti ,tzatziki cucumber & yoghurt sauce :Greece,
• Chicken francese:France
• Eggplant cannelloni : Italy
• Paella rice with sea food : Spain
• Hummus & Falafel : Lebanon
• Mediterranean salad with legumes and beans, olive bread, baklava : Turkeyie.
  
  

Asian Study Group invites you to commemorate it's 51st. year in Islamabad !

Come join us with your family and friends in a celebration of Pakistan's unique culture, food and community...a family friendly picnic style event welcoming the change of seasons ! Autumn décor, childrens activities, lights & music, interactive cultural experiences, regional cuisines, craft corners, artisan booths, live music performances and more…much more!

Efficient valet service and security

• In collaboration with Sir Syed Memorial Society

Tickets available at gate and https://ticketwalla.pk/event/asianstudy-group-autumn-fest-pakistan-ke -naam-3884

Please Note: The area is outside Islamabad: Foreigners/ diplomats will require an NOC to participate.
Mukshpuri at 2800m (9200ft) is the second highest mountain of the Galiyat region. The hike is around 10Km long (complete) 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 a coaster with limited seats.

Wear sturdy shoes; Dress appropriately.

Please bring own refreshments!

Don’t forget your camera/phone for some special memories!

Hike Rating is Medium with a distance of around 10 Km for the complete loop.

Film: Howard's End (1992) - UK/USA

Language: English

Duration: 2 hr 22 min

Director: James Ivory

Screenplay: Ruth Prawar Jhabvala, based on the book by E. M. Forster

Academy Award Nominations:

• Best Picture, Director (James Ivory)
• Supporting Actress (Vanessa Redgrave)
• Cinematography, Costume Design & Music Score

Academy Awards:

• Best Actress (Emma Thompson)
• Screenplay
• Production Design

Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter, Vanessa Redgrave, James Wilby, Prunella Scales, Samuel West, Jemma Redgrave

One of the most literate of E.M. Forster's novels becomes an equally literate film thanks to the finely nuanced screenplay of Ruth Prawer Jhabvalla.

The plot centers on class structure, family, hypocricy, real estate and Forster's dismay at how things were changing (though inevitable) during the Edwardian era where the different classes were starting to move in the same circles due to the gradual social changes taking place in Britain.

Three families - the reserved upper class Wilcoxes, who represent greedy old capitalits, the idealistic and artistic middleclass Schlegels, and the lower-middleclass downtrodden Basts - come together and clash.

At the center of the story is the house (Howards End) which plays a big part in the lives of all three families and involves treachery, lies, love and death.

The drama begins when Henry J. Wilcox (Anthony Hopkins), a stuffy money-obsessed businessman, falls in love with free-spirited Margaret Schlegel (Emma Thompson) after his wife Ruth (Vanessa Redgrave) dies. When his widow wills away their house to Margaret it causes a lot of family turmoil. Meanwhile her sister, Helen Schlegal (Helena Bonham Carter), tries with disastrous results to help Leonard Bast (Samuel West), a working-class married man. Both sisters find themselves tested as they try to end the Wilcoxes' prejudice and help the Basts.

Superbly-mounted story of British class tension, with exceptional performances all around.

• In collaboration wit Alliance Francaise d'Islamabad

This is your chance to add this to your list of accomplishments, bring out your MTB and stake your claim in the hills. Challenge yourself!

An off-road cycling jaunt to Kot Jandaan- a test of your endurance and perseverance- tough climbs, breathtaking views, exciting and thrilling downhills- not many have been here and not many can!

An easy part to Chauntra Village is followed by a tough part that will take us all the way up to the village Kot Jandaan.

Looking forward to an active participation!

Those returning during the ride do not forget to inform the Coordinators

Language: English

Duration: 1 hr 51 min

Director: Arthur Penn

Screenplay: Robert Benton & David Newman

Academy Award Nominations: Best Picture, Director (Arthur Penn), Actor (Warren Beatty), Actress (Faye Dunaway), Supporting Actor (Gene Hackman), Supporting Actor (Michael J. Pollard), Screenplay & Costume Design

Academy Award wins: Supporting Actress (Estelle Parsons), Cinematography

Cast: Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Gene Hackman, Estelle Parsons, Michael J. Pollard, Gene Wilder, Denver Pyle, Evans Evans

A landmark American film that uniquely combined European art-house aesthetics with mainstream Hollywood cinematics.

The film came with the tagline:"They’re young. They’re in love. They rob banks...’ It is a film containing dynamic power that stays fresh with each viewing !

Warren Beatty stars in this gangster film as small-time bank robber Clyde Barrow who joins up with Faye Dunaway as bored small-town waitress Bonnie Parker, to embark on a series of violent robberies in the Depression-era American Mid-West. Their legendary crime spree captures the newspaper headlines and catches the imagination of the American public. Both seemed to have the knack of entertaining people. Bonnie wrote ballads and mailed them in with pictures Clyde took with his Kodak. They seemed to consider themselves public servants, bringing a little sparkle to the poverty and despair of the Dust Bowl during the early Depression years. In the public's eye they were celebrated specifically as heroic bank robbers and were seen as a modern-day version of Robin Hood's gang.

The film is a milestone in the history of American movies and one of the definitive films of the 1960s. It paved the way not only for more realistic crime drama but also for a more open and mature interpretation of life and crime.

Looking forward to an active participation!

Unity, Faith & Discipline is the guiding principle of Pakistan and this Independence Day we pay homage to our homeland by an"Azadi Ride"- whereby leading sports clubs of Islamabad will come together for a run, walk and ride.

All runs & rides shall converge at the iconic landmark of Chand Tara Shakarparian at 6 AM for the National Anthem. And after that we will start the ride.

Those returning during the ride please inform the coordinators.

It is an easy ride and it’s on the road so all kinds of bicycle can join.

Language: French (with English subtitles)

Duration: 1 hr 58 min

Director: Stéphane Demoustier

Screenplay: Stéphane Demoustier & Pascal Garbarini

César Award: Best Actress (Hafsia Herzi)

Cast: Hafsia Herzi, Moussa Mansaly, Louis Memmi, Michel Fau, Pablo Pauly

Rating: PG-13

A breathtaking and captivating film is inspired by true events.

The film attempts to explore the thin line between good and evil and how sometimes dire life circumstances tip a person over to the dark side.

A prison guard Mélissa (Hafsia Herzi) is transferred to Borgo penitentiary center on the island of Corsica. She is accompanied by her husband and two children. The prison is composed mainly of Corsican inmates and operates under an open regime. Namely, the prisoners can freely roam as they please all day long, playing football, cards or doing bodybuilding. She manages to integrate into this unusual set-up thanks to a young inmate who seems to have influence there. However, when this inmate is released from prison he contacts Mélissa again to ask for a favour, which sets a dangerous plot in motion where she finds herself implicated in a double murder for which she is suspected of complicity.

• In collaboration with Alliance Francaise d' Islamabad

FOREIGNERS: CHECK FOR NOC REQUIREMENTS
Shogran, one of the most beautiful plateaus in Kaghan Valley is situated 219 km from Islamabad. It takes about five hours to reach here via Mansehra, Balakot and Kawai. Surrounded by thick pine forests and with an altitude of 2,362m, the summer climate of Shogran is pleasantly cold. From Shogran you have a breathtaking view of Kaghan Valley’s snow covered peaks such as Musa Ka Musalla (4,419m), Makra (3,885m) and Malika Parbat (5,290m).
Programme:
On Friday morning we will drive in a van to Shogran with couple of photo/refreshment stops en route. Shogran will be our base station where we will stay for two nights in a comfortable hotel. Afternoon will be free to walk around Shogran to enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.
On Saturday, we will go by 4x4 jeeps to Sari and Paya in one hour. Group members will walk around the place and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of mountains from the ridge of Paya, Paya at 3,079 is a lush green meadow with spectacular view of Malika Parbat and other snow covered mountains of Kaghan Valley. We will come back to Shogran by 4x4 jeeps. Afternoon will be free for rest and recreation at Shogran.
On Sunday, morning will be free for rest and recreation in Shogran till 11.am. We will leave for Islamabad at around 11.30 am and reach Islamabad in the afternoon with a lunch stop at Abbottabad.