Parachinar, Pakistan
Region: Kurram District
Geographic Coordinates: 33.900000, 70.100000
Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 35.0°C (14°F to 95°F)
Climate: Cold winters, hot summers, and monsoon season from July to September.
Population: 115502
Language: Pashto
Parachinar is a beautiful town located in the Kurram district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It is situated at an altitude of 6, 900 feet above sea level and is surrounded by scenic mountains and lush green valleys. The town has a rich history and cultural heritage, Which makes it one of the most unique places to visit in Pakistan. The population of Parachinar consists mainly of Shia Muslims who have lived here for centuries. The town has a vibrant culture with its own distinct traditions, Customs, And cuisine.
Visitors can explore the local bazaars where they can find traditional handicrafts such as embroidered shawls, Carpets, And pottery. One of the main attractions in Parachinar is the Toori Bangash Shrine which attracts thousands of visitors every year. It is a magnificent shrine dedicated to two famous Sufi saints – Hazrat Syed Ahmed Shah Toori Bangash and Hazrat Syed Hussain Shah Toori Bangash. The shrine is beautifully decorated with colorful lights during religious festivals such as Eid Milad-un-Nabi. Parachinar also boasts some stunning natural beauty spots that are worth visiting.
One such place is Thal Parachinar which offers breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and lush green valleys. Visitors can enjoy hiking or trekking on these trails while admiring the picturesque scenery around them. Another popular attraction in Parachinar is Ziarat Ali Mardan Khan which houses the tomb of Ali Mardan Khan – a prominent Pashtun ruler from the 17th century who played an important role in shaping Pashtun history. The people of Parachinar are known for their hospitality towards tourists and visitors from other parts of Pakistan or abroad are always welcomed with open arms.
They take great pride in their culture and traditions that have been passed down through generations. if you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination in Pakistan with a rich history, Stunning scenery, And warm hospitality, Then Parachinar is definitely worth a visit. The town is steeped in culture and tradition which makes it an ideal place to explore for those interested in learning more about Pakistan’s diverse cultural heritage.
- Kurram River
- Tari Mangal Fort
- Ziarat Pir Rokhan
- Turi Tower
- Khyber Pass
- Spin Ghar Mountains
- Shalozan Valley
- Sadda Bazaar
- Alizai Bazaar
- Turkham Border Crossing
- Agriculture: The primary occupation of the people of Parachinar is agriculture. They grow crops such as wheat, maize, barley, and vegetables.
- Livestock farming: Livestock farming is another important industry in Parachinar. People raise cattle, goats, sheep, and poultry for meat and dairy products.
- Handicrafts: The people of Parachinar are skilled artisans who produce handicrafts such as carpets, rugs, shawls and embroidered dresses.
- Trading: Parachinar is an important trading center for goods from neighboring Afghanistan.
- Construction: With the growth of the population in recent years there has been an increase in construction activity with new houses being built to accommodate more residents.
- Education: Education is also a growing industry with several schools and colleges being established to cater to the educational needs of the local population.
- Healthcare services: Healthcare services are also available with several hospitals and clinics providing medical facilities to residents.
Overall agriculture remains the mainstay of the economy in Parachinar while other industries such as livestock farming and handicrafts contribute significantly too its economy.
- Battle of Parachinar: In 1892, the British Indian Army fought against local tribesmen in the Battle of Parachinar, resulting in a British victory.
- Partition of India: During the partition of India in 1947, many people migrated from India to Pakistan and vice versa. Parachinar became a part of Pakistan after partition.
- Shia-Sunni conflict: The town has been a site for sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims since the 1980s.
- Allama Arif Hussain Al-Hussaini: He was a prominent Shia cleric from Parachinar who played an important role in promoting interfaith harmony and peace.
- Ali Haider Gilani: He is a Pakistani politician who hails from Parachinar and served as Chief Minister of Punjab province from 1985 to 1990.
- Abdul Sattar Edhi: He was a renowned philanthropist who founded Edhi Foundation, which provides social services to millions across Pakistan including those affected by sectarian violence in places like Parachinar.
- Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto: Bhutto visited Parachinar during his tenure as Prime Minister and announced several development projects for the region including establishing hospitals, schools, colleges etc.
- Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS): The grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is highly revered by Shias worldwide including those living in Parachinar where there are several shrines dedicated to him that attract thousands every year on Ashura day (10th Muharram).
- Kurram Agency Museum: This museum displays the history and culture of the Kurram Agency region, including exhibits on local tribal customs.
- Ali Masjid: A historic mosque situated on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border that is believed to have been built by Hazrat Ali (RA), a cousin of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
- Parachinar Bazaar: A busy market where visitors can find traditional handicrafts, spices, and other local products.
- Turi Bangash Graveyard: The graveyard contains tombs of notable Pashtun leaders from the Turi and Bangash tribes.
- Ziarat Kaka Sahib: A shrine dedicated to a Sufi saint named Kaka Sahib.
- Tochi Valley: A picturesque valley famous for its natural beauty and hiking trails.
- Gurbaz Shrine: A well-known shrine located in nearby Hangu district that draws devotees from all over Pakistan.
- Spin Ghar Mountains: These mountains offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and are popular among hikers and nature enthusiasts.
- Khwarra Pass: A high-altitude mountain pass connecting Parachinar with neighboring Afghanistan.
- Orakzai District Museum: Located in nearby Hangu district, this museum showcases artifacts related to Orakzai district’s history and culture.
- Ashura is a religious festival that commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) in the battle of Karbala.
- Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim festival that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting.
- Eid al-Adha is another Muslim festival that celebrates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah’s sake.
- Jashn-e-Baharan (Spring Festival) is a cultural festival celebrated in spring to welcome new life and new beginnings.
- Independence Day is celebrated on August 14th every year to commemorate Pakistan’s independence from British rule in 1947.
- The National Horse and Cattle Show is held annually in Lahore but celebrated across Pakistan including Parachinar; this event showcases traditional Pakistani livestock breeds and horse riding skills.
- Urs Sharif Baba Shah Noorani was a Sufi saint whose shrine attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over Pakistan during his annual Urs celebration held at his shrine located near Parachinar city center every year on 10th Muharram-ul-Haram according to Islamic calendar.
- Chapli Kabab: This is a well-known dish in Parachinar that is made with minced meat and spices.
- Karahi: A spicy chicken or mutton dish cooked in a wok-like pan called karahi.
- Sajji: A whole roasted lamb or chicken marinated with spices and served with rice.
- Tandoori Roti: A type of bread baked in a clay oven called tandoor.
- Zaiqa Restaurant: One of the most popular restaurants in Parachinar known for its delicious Pakistani cuisine.
- Al-Hamra Restaurant: Another famous restaurant that serves traditional Pakistani dishes like biryani, karahi, and kebabs.
- Khyber Shinwari Restaurant: Specializes in Pashtun-style grilled meat dishes like tikka and seekh kababs.
- Shahjahan Hotel & Restaurant: Offers a variety of local and international dishes along with comfortable accommodation for travelers visiting Parachinar.
- Kurram River
- Turi Bazaar
- Ziarat Pir Rokhan
- Pashat Fort
- Sheikh Badin National Park
It is advisable to confirm with local authorities for the latest updates on public parks and recreational activities available in Parachinar, Pakistan as the information may change over time due to various reasons such as natural disasters or construction work being carried out in the area.
