Ziarat

Ziarat is situated 133 km (3 hours by car) from Quetta, Ziarat is a holiday resort amidst one of the largest and oldest Juniper forests in the world. It is said that some of the Juniper trees are up to 5,000 years old. The name Ziarat means, "Shrine". A local Pashtun saint, Kharwari Baba, is believed to have rested in the valley and blessed it. After his death he was buried here. People frequently visit the saint's shrine, which is 10 km from Ziarat. There are other graves as well.

Quaid-e-Azam spent the last moments of his life in Ziarat.

Understand

Climate

Ziarat is 2449 metres above sea level and remains cool (below -10 degree Celsius) during winter and receives enough snowfall. It also remains cool in summers. Light woolen clothing for summer and heavy for the winter are recommended.

People and culture

The inhabitants are the Pashtuns. Nomadic tribesmen also pass through the valleys around during spring and autumn with their families, herd of sheep and camels. The women wear shalwar (baggy trouser) and long skirted shirts with a chadar ao Dopatta having embroidered and mirror work. Men wear shalwar, long shirts and waist coat with a turban on the head.

Languages

Pashto is the main language spoken here. Urdu and English are also spoken.

Get in

Ziarat is located 133 km (2 hours by car) from Quetta.

See

• Prospect Point
• Sundaymun tungi
• 1 Quaid-e-Azam Residency (قائدِ اعظم ریزیڈنسی). A sanatorium first constructed in 1892 during the British Raj. The building is famous for being the place where Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founding father of Pakistan, spent his last months (updated Dec 2022)
• 2 Shrine of Kharwari Baba. (updated Dec 2022)

Eat

Extremely delicious species of apple, black cherry and almond trees are abundant in Ziarat, covering about 4416 acres in the lap of mountains.

Sleep

Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation has a Motel Complex with 18 comfortable rooms and cottages. Accommodation can be booked from the PTDC Offices in Quetta, Karachi and Islamabad. There are other comparatively inexpensive hotels in the town's center.