“Foodistan”, which went on air on NDTV Good Times Monday, brings together 16 professional chefs – eight each from India and Pakistan – on a common platform to battle it out for culinary supremacy.

LAHORE: Twelve in-laws of cricketer Shoaib Malik will come to Pakistan on April 24.

They will go back to India on April 28 after attending the valima receptions in Sialkot and Lahore.

Among those coming from Hyderabad Deccan are Sania’s father Imran Mirza, sister Anam Mirza and other close relatives.

The continental collision of the four mountain ranges of the world the Himalayas, the Karakorums, the Hindukush & the Pamirs in the North of Pakistan gave birth to the thickest cluster of the highest peaks and largest glaciers on Earth in an area of about 500X350 km, while a series of low mountain ranges of Suleman, Pub, Kirthar & Makran emerged from North to Southwest & to South of Pakistan.

This collision emerged more than 700 peaks higher than 6000 meters. These include 05 out of the 14 peaks above 8000 meters on Earth, namely the second highest rock pyramid – the K-2 (8616m), Nanga Parbat (8125m), Hidden Peak, Gasherbrum I (8068m), Broad Peak (8047m) and Gasherbrum II (8035m).

The statistics are simply baffling ! 50 of the world’s 100 highest peaks are in Pakistan. This includes 05 of the world’s 14 peaks above 8000 meters. K-2 (8616 m) is the second highest on Earth.  Peaks from 7501-7999 meters are 33, peaks from 7001-7500 m are 135, peaks from 6501-7000 m are 187 and peaks between 6001-6500 m are 351, whereas, peaks from 4000-6000 meters are countless.

Alone in Baltistan & Hunza, there are more than 100 peaks above 18,000 feet. Literally, most of their base camps are higher than the summits of all the peaks in Europe. The world’s thickest cluster of highest peaks is found in & around Concordia. This unique peadmont glacier is located in the south of K-2 and domains 16 tallest peaks of the world within just a radius of 08 miles (12 km).

Pakistan’s glaciated region covers more than 15000 Sq/Km. The 05 longest valley glaciers of the world, are also in Pakistan whose total length exceed 315 Km. These include the Siachen (75 km), the Hispar (63 km), the Biafo (61 km), the Baltoro (60 km) & the Batura (58 km) The Biafo-Hispar glacial corridor of 116 Km is the longest on Earth. No mention of small countless glaciers and their tributaries. There are numerous glacial lakes which are famous for their scenic value, blue waters and trout fishing. Prominent among these are Phander, Kachura, Sadpara, Lalusar, Sadpara, Deosai,  Saiful Maluk and Mahodand.

Our mountains domain the enchanting valleys of Kaghan, Swat, Chitral, Ghizer, Ishkoman, Gilgit, Hunza, Naltar, Shigar, Khaplu, Skardu and Kashmir with splendid passes like Shandur, Khunjerab, Lowari, Kachikhani, Burzil and so on …! The Deosai Plateau in Western Himalayas is located at 4500 meters (14760 ft), thus making it the world’s highest plateau. This magical place marked with sporadic wind storms, multicolored flowers and the extinct – Himalayan Brown Bear and Golden Marmots.

This enormous mountain wealth makes Pakistan an important mountain country in the world, a paradise for mountaineers, adventure seekers & nature lovers, the world over. The compelling charm of these high, challenging endless ocean of rugged rock and ice pinnacles lure a large number of tourists every year from across the five continents of the world.

Our mountain ranges have the most rare species of flora and fauna. Our wildlife includes the Snow Leopard, Himalayan Brown Bear, Marco Polo Sheep, Himalayan Blue Sheep, Kashmir Markhor, Himalayan Ibex, Afghan Urial, Astore Markhor and Blandford Urial. etc.

The vegetation in the higher ranges in the North is less due to high altitude and less rainfall, however in the South there is heavy precipitation and vegetation. The gateway to these great mountain ranges is Islamabad from where air and road links are available for Gilgit, Skardu, Chitral and Swat, whereas, Kaghan & Kashmir valleys have road links only.

Mountains Pictures………..