The city of Mardan

The city of Mardan is located in Mardan District, a part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is the 19^th largest city of Pakistan; highly influenced by Yousafzai tribe. Mardan is considered as a cultural spot, governed with traditions and rich history. Along with a great cultural legacy, Mardan is renowned for its splendor and breathtaking beauty as well. The residents of the city belong to different backgrounds and ethnicities but are extremely humble and hospitable.

Over the years Mardan has witnessed an improvement in education and economic growth. It is an agricultural area and cultivates wheat, sugarcane, tobacco, maize, rice and mustard. We would suggest visiting Mardan during the winter season, as the summer gets quite hot.

Top 3

1.        Takht-i-Bahi

Takht-i-bahi is a 1^st century archeological site, located in Mardan. These are the old ruins of the first Zoroastrian complex, which after the arrival of Buddhism were converted into a Buddhist monastic complex.Takht-i-Bahi consists of four main areas - stupa court, monastic chambers, temple complex and tantric meditation complex. It is highly recommended by archeologists due to its ancient Buddhist architecture. 

2.       Guides Memorial

The Guides Memorial is situated in the center of Mardan city. It was built in 1892 in the memory of British soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in 1879 during the defense of the Queen’s residency in Kabul. It is a three storey picturesque structure with a central opening arch, staircases and cupolas. The memorial is secured with carved stonework and marble stones on the ground, which not only supports the building but also guards it from earthquake shockwaves.

3.       Bacha Khan Monument

Bacha Khan Monument was built as a representative symbol of Pashtun culture. It is one of the contemporary constructions of the city, comprised of a rose petal like structure with lighted fountains. It is a sixty feet high memorial and very popular amongst locals and tourists.

Tips

Restaurants

Mardan is popular for its traditional food delicacies. There are a number of restaurants in Mardan such asBaba Wali Restaurant, Shelton restaurant, Fish Huts and Sabdar restaurant. Popular foods of Mardan arechaplikabab, seekhkabab, tikkas and cholaywhich is served with tandoor baked bread.

 Shopping

Shopping in the city is highly influenced with cultural fineness. You can find several small sized shops to enormous marketplaces around the city. Popular things to buy are traditionalashtun dresses, souvenirs, mazari cloth, chitrali woolen stuff, Sapley, Parhoone amongst many other items.  

Exploring Pakistan Through Camera Lenses

A general perception about Pakistan suggests it is an under-developed and unsafe country. People don’t find it a safe place to travel to, as it is associated with terrorist attacks and political crises. With such a negative perception why would anyone even consider traveling to and exploring Pakistan?

The reality is completely different as explored through foreign and local camera lenses. Travelers, explorers and photographers beautifully captured the beauty of country. They have highlighted their visits, and captured some memorable experiences and stories which have been shared on social media.

Here is a list of few famous individuals, who have captured, promoted and made their trip to Pakistan viral.

Brandon Stanton – Humans of New York

Brandon Stanton is the creator of famous photo blog “Humans of New York”. He came up with some astounding photos and, heart touching stories of Pakistan that were pushed around to 14 million followers through social media.

Moin Khan – A Different Agenda

Moin Khan was the man behind two inspirational documentaries “A different agenda” and “Rediscovering Pakistan”. He traveled a long way to the Northern areas of Pakistan with a selfie stick, a motorbike and bunch of friends. It took thousands of kilometers for Moin Khan to realize his true passion is not traveling but his homeland.

Mike Horn to conquer K2

Mike Horn is a South African born, Swiss explorer, who started his journey (via road) from Germany and traveled all the way to Pakistan. Mike wanted to ski down K2, which he did not complete, however he joined Moin Khan on his tour and publicized the beauty of Pakistan on his social media pages.

Sophee Southall – Capturing The Beauty

Sophee is a young travel blogger from Australia who recently traveled to Pakistan. Sophee has captured some of the most unique clicks that went viral on internet. She has promoted the true breathtaking beauty of Pakistan with her finest work.

Billi Bierling – Exploring The Peaks

Billi is a German journalist and climber, who went on an adventurous expedition to K2 and other famous broad peaks of Pakistan. Billi exclaims that her experience to the massive Baltoro glacier was an extremely fascinating one.

Syed Mehdi Bukhari– The Photo Perfectionist

The Sialkot based photographer, Syed Mehdi Bukhari, has skillfully used his artistic and visual eye to promote the inspiring beauty of Pakistan. His work has been published by Dawn media group and showcases his photographic expertise and love for his homeland.

Zenith Irfan – High Spirit Explorer

Zenith is a 20 year old free soul, who decided to discover the marvels of Pakistan. Shetraveled to Kashmir on her two-wheeler and camera to document the beauty of this land.

David Kaszlikowski – Exploring Majesty of Glaciers

David is an adventure photographer, who recently took social media by storm with his fantastic pictures of the Karakoram glaciers. He came to explore the magnificence of Pakistan and successfully managed to discover the best out of the country.

Iara Lee’s – Inspiring by Documentary

Iara Lee, a Korean film producer, has showcased Pakistan in a brilliant manner through her documentary titled ‘K2 and the Invisible Footmen’. The documentary portrays the hard living aspects of the porters on K2. The documentary was screened across Pakistan and it is now set to screen in other countries as well.

Travel Diaries – Promoting Pakistan

The blog promotes the work of emerging photographers in Pakistan. It showcased scenic sites and stories of the country. You just need a DSLR or smartphone to get started!

Power Couple Farhan Saeed & Urwa Hocane Both Nominated in their respective fields at Lux Style Awards 2015

Karachi:- September 22, 2015:  A palpable buzz is brewing in the TV, Film, Music and Fashion industries as the Lux Style Awards 2015, the most influential awards show in Pakistan is set to take place at the end of September 2015 in Karachi.

One power couple who may be most excited about the LSAs is pop star Farhan Saeed and  TV and Film actress Urwa Hocane  who  have each been nominated for LSAs in their respective fields.

Related Post : 14th Lux Style Awards 2015 Nominations

Urwa is nominated in the Best Film Actress  category for her impressionable and dramatic role in‘Na Maloom Afraad’ while Farhan is nominated in the Viewer’s Choice category for Song of the Year and Best Music Video for the mesmerizing hit song “Roiyaan” which also won Song of the Year at the recent HUM TV Awards. Urwa will be competing against Saleha Aref for ‘Dukhtar’ and  Samiya Mumtaz  also for ‘Dukhtar’. Hollywod may have its Brangelina and Bollywood  its Saifeena but  Urhan just might dazzle us with a double victory at the LSA audience. The attractive and talented power couple  dubbed ‘tu thori dayr‘ recently made an onscreen romantic video together which highlighted their chemistry. duo has garner more love from the audience

Best of luck to both of them!

A Road Trip across Sindh

If you’ve landed in Karachi, and you’re ready for an adventure, we’ve planned the perfect one for you. Explore Sindh in three days, and be prepared to be amazed!

Day One:

1. Mohatta Palace

The Mohatta Palace was built by Shivratan Chandraratan Mohatta, a Hindu businessman and was his summer home in 1927. He built the palace from the traditional stones of Rajasthan, pink Jodhpur and a local yellow stone.

2. Quaid e Azam’s Museum

Quaid-e-Azam Houseis also known as the “Flagstaff  House”. It was the former home of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan and was transformed into a museum in 1985.

3. Frere Hall

Frere Hall was built in honour ofSir Henry Bartle Edward Frere, who was known for making Sindhi, the official language of Sindh.

4. Chai Wala

Chai Wala is an upscale dhaba, offering Nutella parathas and a variety of classic Pakistani teas.

5. Clifton Beach

Clifton Beach was the world’s most popular silver sand beach, until 2003 when it was affected by an oil spill. The beach offers a few attractions including camel rides and horseback rides.

6. Kolachi

After a long day of sightseeing, enjoy a delicious meal along this seafront restaurant, with a beautiful view and calming Arabian Sea breeze.

Day Two:

1. Shah Jahan Mosque

The Shah Jahan Mosque was built in 1647, during the reign of Mughal King, Shah Jahan.  He built it for the people of Sindh, as a gift for their hospitality.

2. Makli Hills

The Makli hills are one of the largest ancient cemeteries in the world. It is the burial place of around 125,000 Sufi saints and rulers of the century.

3. Mohenjandaro

Mohenjandaro translates to Mount of the Dead, and was built in 2500 BCE. It is one of the largest settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization.

4. Sukkur for the night

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Day Three:

1. Sadh Belo

Sadh Belo is an island on Indus River, and there is aHindu templelocated there. It was founded in 1823 by Swami Bakhandi Maharaj Udasi, and is one of the main tourist attractions.

2. Sukkur Barrage

The Sukkur Barrage was built in 1932 and is used to control water flow in the River Indus. The Indus River dolphins are commonly spotted near the barrage.

3. Sukkur Barrage Museum

The Sukkur Barrage Museum is known as the Lloyd Barrage Museum. It is named in honour of Sir George Ambrose Lloyd, who launched the scheme to build the Barrage.

4. Ranikot Fort

The Ranikot Fort is known as the Great Wall of Sindh, and is recognized as the world’s largest fort.

5. Back to Karachi

Drive back to Karachi, and unwind in one of your favorite hotels. For more information, Visit Jovago.com for a pleasurable stay!

All about ”World Tourism Day”

For the past 35 years, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has celebrated World Tourism Day on September 27th. This day celebrates the importance of the tourism industry, one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world, and how it positively affects the global community. The day marks the end of the high tourist season in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of the tourist season in the southern hemisphere.

The UNWTO designates a country each year to act as the Organization’s partner and host the celebration of World Tourism Day. World Tourism Day 2015 will be celebrated in Burkina Faso and the theme will be “1 Billion Tourists, Billion Opportunities”. The campaign highlights the transformative potential of one billion tourists. Pakistan with its diverse cultures, people and landscapes attracted 1 million tourists in 2012.

In 2009, The World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report ranked Pakistan as a part of the Top 25% tourist attractions for its World Heritage Sites. In 2012, Islamabad celebrated World Tourism Day by organizing a ‘Wall-climbing Competition’ at the Lake View Park. More than 300 students participated in the competition, which created awareness among the youth about the importance of mountains and the tourism industry as well as sports in the country.

Support and celebrate the campaign by traveling and becoming a part of the 1 Billion Tourists. Transform this Eid break into an opportunity to explore the undiscovered parts of Pakistan, such as Ghotki andSahiwal. For more destinations, visit Jovago.com, and find the best deals that ensure an unforgettable vacation at an affordable price!

New ACCA President pledges to inspire young people in her year in office

Alexandra Chin is first Malaysian to hold prestigious role

The new President of ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and the first Malaysian to be elected to the role, Alexandra Chin, has pledged to inspire young finance professionals during her year in office.

Alexandra, who holds the prestigious honorary title ‘Datuk’ in Malaysia, has been in public practice since 1981 and has her own practice in Sabah, Malaysia. She is the fourth woman to be elected ACCA President.

Alexandra qualified as an ACCA member in 1986 and she has been a member of ACCA’s Council since 2005. Before being elected to Council, Alexandra was an International Assembly Member representing Malaysia from 2003 to 2005. She was also President of ACCA Sabah from 1999 to 2005.

Alexandra has been Chairman of ACCA’s Qualifications Committee and will chair ACCA’s Nominating committee during her year as President.

Besides ACCA, Alexandra, who is married to Datuk Peter Thien, has also been actively involved in various professional bodies and community organisations in Sabah. These include the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (Sabah Branch) and the Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia (CTIM) Sabah Branch. She has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Sabah Park and as a Board Member of Sabah Sports Board.

Alexandra is a Board member of the Sabah Tourism Board. She was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2009 and is also a member of the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges Association.

Following her election, Alexandra Chin said: “My main aim for my Presidential year is to inspire younger people in the way that ACCA has inspired me.

“As the first Malaysian and only the fourth female President of ACCA I also want to focus on diversity, particularly in relation to open access and opportunities for thousands of people around the world.

“Having worked in practice since 1986, and having had my own accounting practice in Sabah since 2006, I am also very interested in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the issues which affect them. SMEs are critical since they form the backbone of all the world’s economies and finance professionals have a huge role to play in supporting and advising them.”   

ACCA’s new Deputy President is Brian McEnery, a partner in BDO Ireland and a specialist in corporate restructuring and healthcare consulting, while Leo Lee, a former director of Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), has become global Vice President.

Eid-ul-Azha Celebrations in Pakistan

Islamic Republic of Pakistan has a Muslim majority so all the religious festivals are celebrated here with fervor and enthusiasm.

In the month of Zil Haj, the grand Muslim pilgrimage to the Kaaba in Makkah takes place. Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the Tenth day of this month.

In Pakistan even before the month of Zil Haj starts, we see livestock markets locally called Bakra Mandis pop up at designated places in major cities like Karachi,Islamabad, Lahore, Hyderabad  and others. Different cities have huge markets, which sell goats, cows, and camels to name a few. Mostly men and children make plans and visit these markets to buy animals for sacrifice.

Children are specifically very enthusiastic in taking care of these animals feeding them, and becoming emotionally attached to them. Apart from that, families shop for their Eid clothes and shopping malls and markets are very busy.

On the night before the Eid day, popularly known as the ‘Chaand Raat’, many women and girls get henna patterns applied to their hands. Many families are out and about on Chaand Raat enjoying the food and some last minute shopping.

On the first day of Eid, after offering the Eid prayers, the animals are sacrificed and this continues till the second and third days depending on the availability of the butchers. The meat is distributed among the needy, the family members, and the neighbors and also among friends.

In many households sweet treats are cooked and there is a huge flow of guests for the coming three to four days. Apart from meeting family members and friends during the daytime, the most popular social gathering on this Eid is family barbeques.

This is how Pakistani Muslims celebrate the festival of Eid-ul-Azha.

Sneak Preview of some exquisite Northern Cuisine’s

Here is the list of some exquisite mouth watering Northern Cuisine’s which one must try :-

1. Firni

Firni is a rice pudding that is served in an earthen dish. It is flavored with saffron and garnished with pistachios.

2. Kulcha

Kulcha breads are a popular breakfast item in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and are usually enjoyed with spicy cholay and a warm cup of tea.

3. Chapli Kabab

Chapli Kebabs are delicious deep-fried beef kababs, which are marinated with an exotic blend of spices.

4. Shomleh

Shomleh is a refreshing yoghurt based drink, infused with mint leaves.

5. Kabuli Palao

Kabuli Palao consists of steamed basmati rice, which is fused with fried carrots, nuts and raisins before being topped with lamb, chicken or beef.

6. Naan

Naan is cooked in a Tandoor and made from flour dough; it has a crispy shell and chewy core.

You can find these cuisines in almost all big cities like Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad. But the regions from which these cuisines originate, offer best of all tastes.

Warid Launches Easy Menu for Prepaid and Glow Subscribers

One swipe for a world of services

Lahore, September 2015:Following the successful launch of Pakistan’s first complete Postpaid USSD menu, Warid Telecom has now launched a similar service for its Prepaid and Glow customers, namelyWarid Easy Menu. This new development will allow customers to access a host of services quickly and conveniently, without having to call the helpline.

Customers will simply dial *321# from their cell phones and the Easy Menu will appear on their screens, giving them the option to explore numerous services including account details, tariff change, prepaid offers, internet and SMS bundles. Subscribers will only be charged once for activation while the navigation is free of cost.

WaridTelecom has always exceled in providing its customers easy and affordable access to the latest technology. With the launch of the Easy Menu, both prepaid and post-paid customers now have the ability to access frequently required services with the swipe of a finger. This new service shows Warid’s dedication towards providing all of their subscribers with flexibility, convenience and control over their mobile connections,adding up to a better customer experience.

Tips to stay healthy while traveling

While travelling, it is essential to follow a healthy routine that will ensure you have a guilt-free and enjoyable trip!

Stay Active

When given the option, avoid using the escalators and elevators and opt for the stairs! Try running up the stairs, or walking two steps at a time. Small bursts of cardio are better than none.

Tip: If your flight is longer than an hour, escape the economy class syndrome by walking up and down the aisles every 45 minutes.

Don’t Over eat

On a holiday, overindulging in fatty foods may be tempting, but enjoy everything in moderation. Excessively consuming foods that are packed with carbohydrates and refined sugars is not only harmful for your body but can also accelerate weight gain.

Stay Hydrated

Long flights and drastic changes in weather conditions can cause severe dehydration. Always carry around a water bottle so you can replenish yourself to avoid feeling faint and nauseous.

 Re-stock the mini-fridge

Hotels tend to stock up their mini-fridges with a variety of chocolates and soft drinks. Carry around healthy snacks (nuts, fruits, dark chocolate), so you can re-stock your fridge and clear away all the processed food.

 Don’t forget your supplements!

Nourishing your body and your brain is the key to a healthy lifestyle. To accomplish this, carry your daily supplements with you when you travel, so your body will never be deprived!

 Sleep well

The perfect cure for stress and fatigue is a good night’s rest. Sleeping for at least 7-8 hours every night guarantees a fruitful day to follow, and is the first step to ensuring a healthy sleep cycle.

Fun Facts About KPK

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also known as KPK (formerly known as North-West Frontier Province), is one of the four provinces of Pakistan, located in the northwestern region of the country. The capital and largest city in KPK is Peshawar, followed by Mardan. KPK shares an international border with Afghanistan, and is connected via the Khyber Pass.

Some interesting facts about KPK

The second highest mountain peak in the world, K2, is located in these Northern Area.

The Karakoram Highway is the bridge between China and Pakistan, and has been constructed at a height of 15,397 ft. making it the highest paved international road in the world.

The highest polo ground in the World is located in Gilgit, Baltistan on the Shandur Top commonly referred to as the roof of the world.

The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa converse in a variety of languages such as Khowar, Hindko, Kohistani, Shina, Torwali, Kashmiri, Kalasha, Farsi and Kaghani.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is spread over 74,521 sq. km, and has a population of over 22 million!

The province is divided into three parts, one is composed of settled areas, the second is called FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas), the third is PATA (Provincially Administered Tribal Areas).

The province originally known as the North-West Frontier Province but was renamedKhyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2010.

The literacy rate of this region was recorded in 2012 to be 60.9%

Due to the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviets, Peshawar provided 3 million Afghan refugees with shelter.

The Perfect Selfie

To take your selfie game to the next level, here are a few of our favorite tips on how to make your selfie an unforgettable one!

Choosing an App

App developers have caught onto the selfie trend, and have created many great apps that render the selfie process more enjoyable. From the Apple Store to Google Play, you will be able to find a variety of applications that will help you perfect your selfie. The mos tpopular apps of 2015 are Snapchat, Retrica, YouCam, Frontback, Groopic and many more!

The Breathtaking Background

The key to taking a phenomenal selfie is to have an unparalleled backdrop. Be it the snow kissed mountains of Nathia Gali, the majestic waters of the Kaghan Valley or the scenic greenery ofAzad Kashmir, your selfie will be like no other!

Capturing the Selfie!

One selfie is usually never enough, and when you start it’s difficult to stop. To help make the process easier, invest in a selfie stick! This invention is a lifesaver and a game changer. Whether you’re alone or in a group, you’ll be able to capture it all!

The expedient solution for an efficient taxation system

Tax revenues are a backbone of a Country’s economy. The recenteconomic survey reported a growth of 14.0 percent with Pakistani tax revenues of Rs 2,580 billion during July-June 2014-15. Pakistan, however, has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios at 10% with less than 1% of the population paying Income Tax

. While the population that hasregistered to pay taxes has risen, the percentage that actually files their taxes has declined over the past five years.

The inability to efficiently collect taxes can be blamed on the improper mechanism and unvigilant regulations. Out of the taxable population of Pakistan, only 17% people actually pay taxes. Since Pakistan is unable to collect substantial tax revenues, it bridges the deficit between revenues and expenses by acquiring more debt. The additional debt in the existing debt puts a strain on the economy triggering inflation and drop in real income.

Ultimately, the major focus of the Pakistani government should be the collection of tax revenues. Given that Pakistani government lacks the capacity to directly tax earned incomes, it resorts to an increasing reliance on indirect taxation which fails to differentiate between the rich and poor. These indirect taxes hurt poor the most as these taxes take away a large portion of incomes such as tax on spending on food items, power, petrol etc.

Due to the significance of tax revenue for any government, Pakistan needs to take in all means necessary to collect these taxes including both major and minor changes in taxation laws throughout the year. Developing economies like Pakistan are keen to broaden tax nets but many interest groups have been able to evade taxation by remaining informal and not filing taxes at all.

The problem in the tax system of Pakistan not only lies with poor enforcement and a weak audit regime but also with poorly trained and under-funded workforce. The most convenient solution is to realize that there is a need for highly trained tax experts, who will work along with finance and legal counselors for businessmen as well as companies.

Tax professionals appreciate a self fulfilling vocation loaded with complex testing work. It also provides opportunities to get inside the customers business, influencing and executing business choices. A career in taxation offers an insight for the professional to build critical thinking capacities.

Taxation as a professional specialism can also help develop several individual qualities such as transferable skills for instance broad commercial awareness and valuable technical skills which can help a person create a very successful career in business. However, it is a challenging profession since the role of tax preparers also carries a lot of responsibility; a single error can cost a customer dearly, and the customer’s anxiety is infectious.

Taking a look at the long term scope, there is immense development potential in taxation as a specializedcareer choice. Careers in tax also provide a stable career path: the ups and downs of the economy do not influence the taxation expert job market; jobs in tax are relatively secure.

There are worldwide tax levy issues for business regardless of their nature, which obliges thorough assessment of information most appropriate for a Finance Professional. Taxation is being modernized now, which serves as an open door for aspiring youthful experts, more skilled in technology abilities, Xbrl is an example of how tax filing in developed markets is transforming, early adoption of Xbrl will also internationalize the work of taxaccountants in Pakistan. The more established experts, to stay in the field have made a point to stay updated on tax laws and regulations. This can permit quicker handling of information and in addition a more exact and detailed count of information.
In conclusion, it is best to say that to revive the taxation system there is a need for all stakeholders to work for a common cause. Tax experts who can use their knowledge and skills to support tax policy reforms and their ethical tax planning to ensure businesses remain within the fence of the laws of land in their operations and computations. The golden rule of honesty is the best policy is a good place to start and end.