by Badar Jatoi, Canada
Courtesy: daily dawn 8.6.2009
Just two days after a clarification given by the Sindh Culture and Tourism Department through a letter “Gorakh Hill resort” (June 1), the Project Director, Gorakh Hill Station Development Authority (GHSA) informed this paper (June 3) that work on phase-III scheduled to be completed by 30th June 2009 has come to halt for non release of funds to the tune of rupees 999 millions.
The PD further disclosed that even Phase- I of the project i.e. job of laying road across Khawal Luck and water supply line from Nai Gaj (gorge) to the top of the hill could not be finished as out of allocated 126 million only 63 millions have been released so far. So much so that the road through Khawal Luck left incomplete since 1996, has been wiped out in landslides and heavy rains and needed to be reconstructed.
In the view of the PD GHSA’s presentation, the serious apprehension shown by Altamash Kureshi “Gorakh Hill Station: a project over delayed” (May 24) for the extremely slow pace of progress apparently stands vindicated.
Looking to the uniqueness of project, completion of which will create enormous economic opportunities not only to the people of backward hilly terrain but for the province as a whole, I request the Chief Minster and Chief Secretary Sindh to ensure that share of funds from the federal government and the provincial government are made available so that the project can reach the fruition for the benefit of masses.
I further request that since massive funds are involved at development stage therefore, in order to guarantee transparency in utilization of budget and maintaining work quality, the officers of impeccable credibility and integrity may be chosen for the project. I am afraid that if suitable persons are not appointed for the job, the fate of this important project will also not be dissimilar of other mega projects of the country; ill-fated Sher Shah Bridge on Lyari expressway is one such instance.
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BUT LET ME TELL YOU ALL THAT I DR IQBAL SAEED KHAN IS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF GORAKH HILLS SINDH PAKISTAN AND WE HAVE COMPLETED A LOT OF WORK ON HILLS AND RESORTS ,TUC SHOP,REST HOUSES ARE COMPLETED SOON IT WILL BE OPEN FOR PUBLIC POSSIBLY UPTO OCTOBER 2013.I TOOK CHARGE OF GORAKH HILLS ABOUT 3 MONTHS BACK PROVIDED GOVT OF LINE DID NOT MAKE A RAPID TRANSFER OF MYSELF.
BE THE FIRST AT KOH BENAZIR
HI this is danish from khi. I recntly visited Gorakh Hill, its awsome adventure trip. n place is cold, windy n cloudy.
TRUE PLACE FOR ADVENTURE LOVER
Now i found Koh Benazir 7056ft most highest peak of Sindh, which was discover by syed shahid bukhari by google earth telemetry 27 12 35.10 N, 67 09 33.88 E.
just paste the given telemetry in google earth u will find koh e benazri
Dear sir,
I am searching person who discover the koh e benazir. Do u went there or not, I am planing to go there. i need ur guaidance. i wanna join ur next trip.
waitng of ur reply . THANK YOU.
Govt have to maintain approch roads for easy access/visit to these placesand to develop infrastucture to improve tourism in sindh.
To me, Gorakh Hill Station is a dream, that one day, will come true.
Here are some of my researched Facts about The Plateau atop Gorakh Hill.
1. The Elevation of Gorakh Hill Station Plateau, averages around 5500 feet, with the highest point of the Plateau, at around 5648 feet.
2. Gorakh Hill Station is just one of the half a dozen Peaks in Sindh, which are over 5500 feet high.
3. The highest peak in Sindh is 7056 feet high, west of Mehar, and the second, a Km south of it, with an elevation of around 7000 feet. Therefore, both these peaks have a higher Elevation … than the Post Office of Murree at an elevation of 6900 feet !
4. Since our Survey Department believes in relying on the British Colonial Record of Surveys, they still consider Kuttay ji Qabr, at 6800 feet, as the highest Mountain Elevation of Sindh… although it is the third highest mountain Elevation of Sindh.
5. There is another Potential Hill Station site, a few Km north west of Kuttay Ji Qabar, perhaps it is … With an average elevation of 6200 feet, and in terms of area, twice as large as Gorakh Hill Plateau. It is an excellent spot for a Golf Club and small airport.
6. It regularly “snows” atop the three top hills, which are around 7000 feet high, in Sindh, and also at Gorakh Hill Station, during winter rains.
7. I, having discovered the Highest Hill of Sindh, 7056 feet, and its exact location, in exercising the Discoverers prerogative, have named it KOH- BENAZIR, after one of the greatest ever Pakistanis.