Trip to Haripur for paragliding with Nadeem Iqbal

[autophile]

On Thursday November 2, 2006, Nadeem Iqbal invited me to Haripur to show me paragliding, as I am planning to write a feature on this thirlling aviation sport.

I was on my Xli, while Nadeem test-rode a 88 Suzuki Swift he bought a few days ago. No pix for cars as you all are familiar with them.

We left Islamabad around 0930 and reached Thipra village in Haripur district via Taxila and Khanpur. There we met Pakitan's ace paragliders Mr Sajjad Shah and Colonel Abdul Jabbar Bhatti.

Then we left Mr Shah's place in his Parado and after about 15 minutes drive reached the paragliding site.

(L-R) authophile, NadeemIqbal, Sajja Shah: Unloading gliders.

[autophile]

Col Bhatti, Nadeem and Sajjad planning climb upto hill

Nadeem climbing up with his glider

A beautiful view from middle of the climb

Nadeem stops to catch his breath

Have to go up there on the second top

[autophile]

Bhatti and Nadeem after reaching on the top

[autophile]

Shah sahib finally approach the top

[autophile]

We came up down from there, approximate climb time 40 minutes. See the make-shift windsock on right. Parado looks so tiny.

[spectra]

wah gee wah
akailay akailay ayashiyan.
sanoon naa poochna kadi aise time te

[autophile]

Mr Bhatti taking off

[salman_ksa]

nice pictures(y)

[autophile]

@Spectra. Really missed you, could have been a lot of fun, but the whole thing was planned in just few hours. Late Wed afternoon Nadeem visited my office and after a chat when I asked him when they will be flying next, he called his colleagues and they said Thursday morning, so we were there.

What about a Pakwheel meet there in Thipra with paragliders flying above us? Have to ask Nadeem and his colleagues.

[autophile]

[autophile]

Bakra travelling down-country for Eidul Azha. Spotted near Khanpur, while on way back to Islamabad.

[oodbalow]

wah wah zabar10(Y)

zabar10(Y) @ bakra aslo

[matrix]

Great post and pics. Didn't even know we had such activities in Pakistan. Don't forget to invite us the next time u guys r doing this.

[Storm]

nadeem was telling me about this trip when he came over a few days back. I was waiting for the pics since then. looks like you guys had a great time (Y)

[autophile]

@Storm. I was too tired as had to climb up with the pilots and then rush back on ground zero with my photographer to see the landings.

Also was off on Fri/Saturday, cannot open my PC at home due to my son, who is too good at breaking mouses and keyborads. lol.

It was a great experinece and very nice and hospitable people to meet.

[Storm]

@autophile
i spoke to imtiaz gul 2 nights back and he really praised you, just thought i would pass the info on to you (Y)

[autophile]

@Storm, thanks buddy, hope to meet you soon, regards.

[charterali]

@Naddem, Wah Wah jee Wah Wah. I think I did a mistake by not joining ya in the April, hope for the next yr.

@Autophile, Excellent Coverage. Btw, were ya ther in The News b4 AFP.

Thnxx..

[mrhot2000]

Aik yeh jo hamarae Nadeem bhai hai na bass yeh bhi kamal hi ker dete hain

Good trip well worth the effort

[autophile]

Hi Charter, no I was not in The News, before AFP, I was at APP and before that at The Muslim. The News in Islamabad was mostly started with the former The Muslim journalists. I was at times pulled to join them, but preferred not to.

These were just a casual pix as I am not in a clicking mood these days.

You will see nice photographs released by our professional AFP photographer who was also there, once the feature is released to media.