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Quetta is connected to the rest of the country by
road, rail and air. The highway connects it to Karachi and then on (via
Koh-e-Taftan) to Tehran, Iran, 1435 kms away. The road to Sibi connects
it with Punjab and upper Sindh. The road via Loralai - Fort Monro -D.G.
Khan and Multan is a shorter route for Punjab. The Chaman Road is a link
between the country and the Afghan border. Quetta is linked by PIA with
Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
The name Quetta is derived from
the world "Kuwetta" which means a fort and, no doubt, it is a natural
fort surrounded as it is by imposing hills on all sides. The encircling
hills have the resounding names of Chiltan, Takatoo, Murdar and
Zarghun.
The main thoroughfare and the commercial centre of Quetta is Jinnah Road, where the Tourist Information Centre of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation as well as the banks, restaurants and handicraft shops are located. Shahrah-e-Zarghun runs parallel to Jinnah Road. It is a long boulevard lined with trees. Many important buildings like the Governor's House, Post and Telecommunication Offices are located along Zarghoon Road.
The main thoroughfare and the commercial centre of Quetta is Jinnah Road, where the Tourist Information Centre of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation as well as the banks, restaurants and handicraft shops are located. Shahrah-e-Zarghun runs parallel to Jinnah Road. It is a long boulevard lined with trees. Many important buildings like the Governor's House, Post and Telecommunication Offices are located along Zarghoon Road.
In the old bazaars one comes
across quaint old teashops. These are the local "clubs". There are also
many popular eating-houses offering different types of delicacies. Among
the delicacies you must try "Saji" (leg of lamb), which is roasted to a
delightful degree of tenderness and is not very spicy. The tribesmen of
the valley also enjoy "Landhi" (whole lamb), which is dried in shade
and kept for the winters. "Kabab" shops are very popular. Some of the
finest mutton in the country is raised around Quetta. It has an
apetising smell, which can be sampled in the "Pulao".
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The Geological Museum on Sariab Road (near Balochistan University) has a collection of rocks and fossils found in Balochistan. The Command and Staff College Museum is worth a visit for those interested in British military history. It is housed in the former bungalow of Field Marshal Montgomery.
Hazarganji Chiltan National Park
In the Hazarganji Chiltan
National Park, 20 kms southwest of Quetta, Markhors have been given
protection. The park is spread over 32,5000 acres, altitude ranging from
2000 to 3200 meters. Hazarganji literally means "Of a thousand
treasures". In the folds of these mountains, legend has it, there are
over a thousand treasures buried, reminders of the passage of great
armies down the corridors of history. The Bactrains, Scythians, Mongols
and then the great migrating hordes of Baloch, all passed this way.
Wildlife
Mammals
Markhor, Of Which There Are Five Distinct Kinds, Is The National Animal Of Pakistan. The Kind That Is Photographed The Most Often Is The Chiltan Markhor, Which Because Of Its Long Horns Looks Very Conspicuous. Ever Since The Markhor Has Been Given Protection Its Number Has Multiplied. Other Animals In The Park Are Straight Horned Markhors, "Gad" (Wild Sheep) And Leopards Which Occasionally Migrate To The Park From Other areas, wolves, striped hyena, hares, wild cats and porcupines.
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Birds
Many birds like partridge, warblers, shikras, blue rock pigeon, rock nuthatch, red gilled choughs, golden eagle, sparrow, hawks, falcons and bearded vultures are either found here or visit the park in different seasons.
Reptiles
Reptiles like monitor and other wild lizards, geckos, Afghan tortoise, python, cobra, horned viper and Levantine may also be seen in the park.
Markhor, Of Which There Are Five Distinct Kinds, Is The National Animal Of Pakistan. The Kind That Is Photographed The Most Often Is The Chiltan Markhor, Which Because Of Its Long Horns Looks Very Conspicuous. Ever Since The Markhor Has Been Given Protection Its Number Has Multiplied. Other Animals In The Park Are Straight Horned Markhors, "Gad" (Wild Sheep) And Leopards Which Occasionally Migrate To The Park From Other areas, wolves, striped hyena, hares, wild cats and porcupines.
Many birds like partridge, warblers, shikras, blue rock pigeon, rock nuthatch, red gilled choughs, golden eagle, sparrow, hawks, falcons and bearded vultures are either found here or visit the park in different seasons.
Reptiles
Reptiles like monitor and other wild lizards, geckos, Afghan tortoise, python, cobra, horned viper and Levantine may also be seen in the park.