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Faces of Pakistan

We were in Pakistan fairly briefly, and only in the Northern Areas, but did have a chance to get some photographs of the friendly locals. The photos are in geographical order, from the Chinese border in the north to Gilgit, the capital of the Northern Areas, in the south.

Some photographs taken from Sost. Because Sost is an administrative and transit center, we think that these two individuals may not be true natives of the area, but they do have a typical northern appearance.


Heading south our first stop was Passu, which is located in the Wakhi area of the Northern Areas. Although they often consider themselves Hunza, and share the Ismaili faith (see post of 7.13), the Wakhi are ethnically and linguistically distinct, being from the Wakhan Valley shared by Tajikistan and Afghanistan (see post of 6.23). Their language (and likely their genetic ancestry) is related to that of Tajikistan and Iran, rather than the other languages of the Northern Areas.

A Wakhi boy

A Wakhi woman, in traditional dress quite similar to the Tajik Pamiris

Two Wakhi girls. Note how fair the second girl is, just like other Pamiris (see my posts of 6.23 and 6.29). Indeed, it is startling how different the ethnicities and cultures of the Northern Areas are from the rest of Pakistan.

The “heart” of the Northern Areas is the Hunza Valley, populated by a people that speak Burushaski, a language unrelated to any other in the world. The Hunza Valley is famous for its cultural distinctiveness, as well as for its beautiful mountains and healthy way of life.






Our young “guide” up to the Ultar Meadow

A common summer sight–girls and women carrying baskets for apricots

Women, sometimes with cover but often not, are a common site in the Hunza Valley, which is largely Ismaili. Heading further south into Pakistan, women were essentially nowhere to be seen–less so than anywhere else we have been.

Some pictures from Gilgit. Although Gilgit is in the Northern Areas, that it is a much bigger city and its more southern location mean that many different ethnic groups from Pakistan have settled there. For example, the second man below (who liked to smile but not for the camera) told us that he was a Pashtun from Peshawar. Gilgit was extremely tense, with a huge police/military presence trying to suppress ongoing sectarian violence, but the locals were for the large part very friendly. The most common joke, believe it or not, was men pointing at their bearded friends and telling us that they are Taliban. One man even pointed at another man’s large belly saying that it was actually a bomb and he a suicide bomber!






I believe these guys are Hunza, because they are wearing Hunza hats.

Rather intense eyes, don’t you think?

23 replies on “Faces of Pakistan”

Such incredible photographs. You are an artist !!

Pakistani men are the most beautiful in the world. They are simple, yet exquisite.

Really beautiful, such a great exposition of the variety there, really eye opening!

Nice photographs, and majority of these people belong from northern areas of Pakistan, as a matter of fact when you travel across Pakistan you find people with different looks, punjabis, pathans, balochis, sindhis, kashmiris are all different in terms of culture, traditions, looks and in most aspect of their lives, which adds allot of diversity to Pakistan.

Its nice to see your blog and that pictures its very helpful for promote our culture our tradition. Pakistan has plenty of attractions within the country. These places can be fully observed only by traveling to Pakistan.

Very nice photographs and journey of northern areas its really beautiful and their culture is very interesting which is showed in pictures.

Hi,

Just another master piece, impressive photos, unique and general content which is mind friendly…

Loved your blog seriously.

Thanks and Best regards
Zara
London UK
Airport Transfer

No-doubt it is very interesting and I like that very much and here I want to share a link where you can find more interesting and you can meet the Muslims all over the world at one place.

Hi Paul,

I just came back from Pakistan, I was scared though traveling alone but all went fine, I stayed in Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Sialkot and also in Islamabad (The federal capital), also visited few places in Northern Pakistan and it has been a pleasure being there

Thank you for reminding me about the good time in Pakistan

Regards,
Andrea
Heathrow Airport Transfers | Cheap Minibus Hire London

I belong to hunza…You have very good collection however the guys wearing the hats with long beard are not from hunza because in hunza no one keeps long beard…there are no redical muslims rather hunza people follow Ismailism which is very moderate and very toleratnt sect in Islam…

All are human being ….. I loved this post bcz i saw so many people which are looking very pure and honest to all

Pakistan and its different cultures, people and landscapes has attracted 0.7 million tourists land, nearly double a decade ago.

I am Searching For Ghana Blogs And I am looking For Your Blog. Your Blog looking Cool And InforMative.An interesting site to show someone other ways of thinking. Well Done Thanks For Sharing….

I am Searching For Ghana Blogs And I am looking For Your Blog. Your Blog looking Cool And InforMative.An interesting site to show someone other ways of thinking. Well Done Thanks For Sharing….

Magnificent photos and beautiful words to describe my lovely Pakistan. You can visit my blog to find more magnificent photos of Beautiful Pakistan!

its is my great pleasure you added my photo in your side.i just go throught your side and find my photo.
regerd the wakhi boy Rahim Hayat

The Real Face Of Pakistan Is — “OSAMA BIN LADEN”..!!!!!
And…Ismaelis, Ahamadis, Shias, Hazaaras are treated no better than Pigs in Pakistan.

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