Pakistan is a country located in South Asia and shares borders with India, Afghanistan, Iran, and China. It has a diverse landscape that includes the coastal areas along the Arabian Sea, deserts, plains, and the northern mountain ranges, including the Himalayas and the Karakoram Range, which is home to some of the world’s highest peaks, including K2. It also has some of the nicest people on the planet.

Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan, while Karachi is its largest city and the main seaport. Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta are other major cities in the country. Urdu and English are the official languages, and the country has a rich cultural heritage that reflects influences from various civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization, Persian, Central Asian, and Islamic cultures.

Pakistan gained independence from British rule in 1947, and its history has been marked by periods of political instability, economic challenges, and regional conflicts. The country has a parliamentary democratic system, with a President as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government.

Economically, Pakistan is known for its agriculture, textiles, and manufacturing industries. It is also an important player in regional geopolitics, particularly in relation to its complex relationships with neighbouring countries and its role in the war on terror.

Tourist attractions in Pakistan include historical sites such as the ancient city of Mohenjo-daro, the Badshahi Mosque, and the Lahore Fort, as well as natural wonders such as the Karakoram Highway, the Hunza Valley, and the K2 base camp for trekking enthusiasts.

Here are images of some of the great people I met in Pakistan in May 2016. The journey started in Islamabad, followed by a long drive north to Chitral. Then the valleys of the Kalash..

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This was a refuge from the noise and pressures of Lagos. The nearby village’s children were delightful and happy to pose for pictures.

The village also arranged for Ju Ju dancer to come. He was a water spirit who entranced the children with his arrival by water disguised as a bed of reeds, his wild dance around the village, and his final vanishing act before their astonished eyes.

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1. Sinhalese: The majority ethnic group, comprising about 74% of the population. They primarily speak Sinhala and follow Buddhism.
2. Tamils: The second-largest ethnic group, making up around 15% of the population. Tamils are mainly concentrated in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. They predominantly speak Tamil and are divided into two main groups: Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils.
3. Moors: A Muslim community that constitutes about 9% of the population. They are primarily descended from Arab traders and have a distinct cultural identity.
4. Burghers: A small community with mixed European and Sri Lankan ancestry. They are descendants of the colonial era and have a unique cultural blend.
5. Malays: Another minority group with a mix of Sri Lankan and Malaysian heritage. They are primarily Muslim.
6. Indians: The Indian Tamils, who were brought to Sri Lanka during the British colonial period to work on plantations, form a significant minority. Their descendants are now an integral part of the country’s population.

The people of Sri Lanka practice various religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. The cultural diversity in Sri Lanka is reflected in its languages, customs, traditions, and festivals.

This is a collection of photographs of some of the people we met in Sri Lanka in 2005. We drove around the island for two weeks and experienced some of the most famous sites, including Sigiriya – some historical and some natural. The trip remains one of our best-loved.

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