Fort Munro: The Hill Station of Southern Punjab
By Tarique Khan Javed, President,OPIF
With load sheding at its peaks and temperature reaching 50c it was difficult to stay in the plains of Southern Punjab on 3rd June 2013. So from Mahmud Kot I decided to go to Fort Munro some 200km away. I was sure that mountain range with a peak of 6,457 ft will be much cooler.
Driving through Sanawa, Dera Ghazi Khan by pass and passing the Airport and Ghazi Taractor factory we reached the Mountain foot at famed Sakhi Sarwar (the generous Saint of Multan). The plains were very hot and dry and as we approached Sakhi Sarwar the atmosphere became very dusty due to presence of large number of Crushers, processing the stones carried by Mountain river which touch the plains just behind the Shrine.
First Day:
Pass the dusty and unbearably hot patch as the road started to ascent air got clearer and temperature started to decrease. After passing big river bed and difficult drive rood started to twist and turn to gain height and suddenly we found ourselves surrounded by very high green mountains.Each scene was worth photographing but a cautioned my campainions to save space to much better scenery waiting further up. The pleasent drive brought us to Town of KHAR on the main road to Baluchistan. A decend from this point brings to platues of Baluchistan (guess around 4,000 ft) with its first town RAKNI. In the past I had passed this point several time on my way to Kholu and Loralia.
The drive from KHAR probably at height of 5000 feet to summit of Fort Munro touching 6,457, 5km away, was breath taking. After passing some farmland and a crowded bazaaz we started climbing a steep road with high peaks visable due the cone like shape of this mountain.Looking down at the winding road provided best photo opportunity. Finally we reached a cross road where on road went up towards the peak while the other went down towards Anari valley and its adjoining mountains. We decided to proceed up and reached the main Bazaar and found a decent hotel at probably height of 6,000 with a claer view of the valley and lake below. While weather had become enjoyable during the drive the strong cool breeze in the vavanda of the hotel at noon time was some cold that we started to worry about health of childen at night,as we did not come with an warm cloth. The rooms had blanket and after closing the windows spending night was not difficult.
A walk around the peak was very pleasent with good view of Southern valley with large houses and some villages and terrace farming. The Area had colonial era banglows which were not in use.A walk up the steep road towards the peak was not easy for children yet most rewarding for them after they reached the park at the peak.The park at the peak with view on three side was fitted with lots of swings and slides and had number of small shops selling drinks and children refreshments. This spot was photographers paradise with view extending to Baluchistan and surrounding high mountians obstructing view towards Punjab but with worth photographing views of valley, lake and waterfall below. As darkness fell the lights below gave the valleys different glamorous look. The best lighting were of the hotels who had decorated the outside and roofs to attract customers.
Second Day
Next day we walked deep into the Southern Valley and had great fun with lot of photo oppurtunities. The facing mountains appeared very close and tempting but infact they were very far as we approched towards them. The walk became streanus when we had to climp back yet it was worth the effort as we saw such beauty which we would not have seen if we stuck to the main road.
The second day of stay was relectivly not that cold during the day; however by evening it attacted huge cloud formation. Our time spent at the peak that evening was memorable. We could see that it was raining in Baluchistan side and we felt that rain would start anytime, however it did not and clouds cleared by late night.With cold breeze and overcast sky the atmosphere was romantic indeed.
We had dinner at a resturant which had arranged Live mestic music in the form of singer from Multan. He rendered Bhula Shah and Khawja Farid poetry in such devotional style and the audiance was spell bounded.
Third Day:
On the third day of our visit we decided to walk down towards the Anari valley. Decending road was dotted by large number of hotels, some basic some of high quality offering good view of the valley below. A PTDC hotel was located next to a Lake and offered double room with Tv for Rs 2,000 per night. Other hotels in ranged from Rs 300 to 1,500. We reached a point where a Housing scheme was offer plots. Some houses constructed on the steep decline looked odd with one side facing the mountain high while the side facing valley low. Stepped rooms were constructed to avoid huge filling cost. Past the scheme we reached the Lake next to the fall and end of the valley. The lake was formed by constructing a small retaing wall. Water exceeding the wall level reaches the water fall where from water fall some 300 feet below before being swept away. With limited water in the Lake the waterfall was dry. It was being using a firing range. Two locals with their Kalashnikov were inciting people to fire at target they had set some 2000 feet away at a cost of Rs 150 per shout. I shot at one target but missed the other four but not far from the target. Locals assumed I was from Armed forces.
Drive back with prospect of return to the plain was quite and somber but was also result of the tiredness of the walk some 1000 feet down from our hotel. Back in our so called "Alishan" hotel (costed us Rs 1,500 per night for two rooms with attached bath room) we packed and drove back. I could only afford to stay one night at Mahmud Kot and ran away to more pleasant weather of Karachi.
Travel Trips:
Going and coming from place like Mahmud Kot to Fort Munru on private van for 2 nights and 3 days cost around Rs 12,000. However the same trip done on public transport would cost just 330 per person. From DGK just for Rs 200 Hi Ace brings visitors to Bazar some 100Km away to the height of 6,000 feet. With plenty of restaurants selling Sajji, Chicken Karhai at almost same price as in the plains the trip is very affordable. Even a room costing Rs 400 will have two double mattress and attach back and good view.
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