Mokarram Hossain (back from Pakistan) :
After being received at the Lahore International Airport by officials of the Press Information Department of Pakistan on May 5 morning, the visiting eight members Bangladesh media delegation were picked up and driven to Delux Grand Hotel in the city. We were briefed at the hotel lounge about our three days’ tour programmes that included visits to Wagah Border, Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort and the palace on the Fort compound. Besides, our itineraries also included visits to TV stations like PTV, Neo TV and Samaa TV.
On the first day of the visit, we were taken to the most famous attraction of Lahore, the Wagah Border, in the afternoon.
It is a land border between Pakistan and India, located 30 minutes drive from our hotel.
The Wagah Border ceremony is a visual delight, with its colorful flags, immaculately dressed soldiers, and the captivating backdrop of the border gates. On the Pakistan side we witnessed a very enthusiastic support from the audience for their soldier’s parade and exciting performances. We enjoyed the ceremony profusely.
Truly, we enjoyed the Wagah Border ceremony, a fascinating insight into the local culture and traditions of Pakistan. From the vibrant attire of the soldiers to the energetic folk music and dancing, the event is a feast for the senses. The parade by soldiers and roars from the audience gives us a taste of real nationalism.
Usually, it was learnt that the visit to the border is at the top of most people’s list because of its uniqueness.
Being one of the eight member media delegation, I personally enjoyed the most enthusiastic and joyful Wagah Border ceremony. Every day around sundown, a wildly strange “border closing ceremony” takes place. Mostly a show of aggression accompanied by a bit of acting, the ceremony attracts hundreds of visitors from both sides. The Indian side was also seen full of enthusiastic visitors.
It is to be noted that the folk music and dancing ceremony starts around 4:45 PM in summer time while in the winter it begins around 4:00 PM. But people mostly arrive at least an hour in advance to have a good seat. The weekend Sunday draws a huge number of crowds in both Pakistan and Indian sides. The day was Sunday when we visited the Wagah Border.
On the second day, we were taken to government-run and the private- managed television stations in Lahore. At the beginning we went to the PTV and discussed with the TV authorities how it could play a role in enhancing relations with its counterpart in Bangladesh? Later, we visited Samaa and Neo television channels. We have an exchange of opinions on various subjects including how they are running their channels.
About our query, whether they broadcast news and other programmes in any other languages, they informed us that they mainly broadcast in Urdu as the viewer in other languages is very few.
We also visited the National Arts College and held discussions with its Vice Chancellor. We were taken around various departments of the college.
On the third and final day, we visited the Badshahi Mosque. Since it was the month of May, the weather was a bit hot.
On arrival at the mosque we gave our shoes to the man at the entrance to the Mosque and he gave us tickets with numbers to reclaim them on coming out.
The sandstone floor of the Mosque was a bit hot. We had to walk on the carpet as our feet were burning.
The carpet was kept soaked to keep it cool.
On going into the entrance a man came up to our group identifying him as a former army man and currently he works as a guide of the mosque.
Narrating the whole history of the mosque he said the designs on the paintwork showed five leaves for the five prayers in the day.
He also went into a corner and told us to stand with our ears one by one to the wall on the opposite side and he whispered and the echo of his voice was heard clearly.
This mosque is directly opposite the Lahore Fort and was built during the reign of Emperor Aurengzeb in 1672 to 1674. He was one of the last great Mughal kings.
The Badshahi Mosque is capable of holding 5,000 people and it was the largest mosque in Pakistan until King Faisal Mosque was built in Islamabad which holds 10,000 in the prayer hall and can hold up to another 64,000 outside.
The entire of the mosque is decorated with elaborately carved marble and the structure itself is crafted from red sandstone, giving it its unique and notable colour.
The road outside the Mosque shows the Lahore Fort and the Sikh Gurdwara which are all in the same place. Indeed, this is the life of coexistence in Lahore.
This centuries’ old ‘Walled City’ within the city gives us a brief insight into its history, culture, architecture and traditions of indo-Pak culture.
The Lahore Fort is perhaps the most popular out of all of Lahore’s attractions.
The fortress and its grounds have been kept in remarkably good shape despite its old age. The visit has surely taken us a bit back in time.
Our guide, a middle-aged man with a hilarious nature, tried to give us a vivid description of the historic Lahore Fort.
The fort, he said, was originally built in 1566 under Emperor Akbar and was later modified by rulers that came after.
He has taken us to the Sheesh Mahal, the “Palace Mirrors” inside the fort. The intricate mirror work is second to none, and arguably one of the most beautiful places in all of Lahore.
The Sheesh Mahal was constructed in 1631, and the mirror works on marble walls elicit a glistening effect. It was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan, who had built the Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. Shah Jahan also built Sheesh Mahal in memory of Mumtaj but she could not come here as she died while giving birth to a child in June that year.
Bye Lahore! We are now leaving for Islamabad, a city free from pollution, dust and gridlock, on five days’ tours.