H.E.J. Reserach Institute of Chemistry

11th International Symposium
on Natural Product Chemistry

November 3– 6, 2008, Karachi, Pakistan

Jointly organized by the:

H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry
(International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences)
University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan
And
Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Islamabad

Download
Regestration Form
11 Symposium Circular (Word Format)

DEADLINES

11th International Symposium	November 3-6, 2008
Early-Bird Registration	September 30, 2008
Accommodation Request	September 30, 2008
Abstract for Lecture and Poster Presentation	September 30, 2008
Tour Reservation	October 1, 2008
Articles for the Conference Proceedings	October 31, 2008

INVITATION

It gives me an immense pleasure to invite you to attend the 11th International Symposium on Natural Product Chemistry to be held in Karachi, Pakistan, from November 3-6, 2008. Over 600 eminent scientists and researchers from 45 countries have expected to participate in this symposium which is one of the most prestigious international events in the field of natural product sciences.

Pakistan is a fascinating country that is full of vitality, cultural diversity and culinary delights. We hope the dynamic and magical spirit of the mega city of Karachi will provide the most conducive milieu in which stimulating scientific exchange amongst natural product chemists from all over world can take place. We also hope that through this meeting, stronger research ties between the scientists of different regions can be fostered.

On behalf of the organizing committee, I wish to extend you all a very warm welcome to Karachi in November 2008.

PROF. DR. ATTA-UR-RAHMAN, FRS
Nishan-i-Imtiaz, Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Stitara-i-Imtiaz, Tamgha-i-Imtiaz
Director, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences,
Federal Minister / Chairman, Higher Education Commission,
Advisor to Prime Minister on Science and Technology

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Patron:	Prof. Dr. Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui Vice Chancellor, University of Karachi
Chairman:	Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS N.I., H.I., S.I., T.I. Director, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, Federal Minister / Chairman, Higher Education Commission, Coordinator General, COMSTECH
General Secretary:	Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, H.I., S.I., T.I. Director (Acting) International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research) University of Karachi, Karachi-75270

Members
Prof. Dr. Abdul Malik, S.I Prof. Dr. Ahsana Dar Prof. Dr. Amal-Al-Aboudi Prof. Dr. Arshad Saeed, H.I. Prof. Dr. Anwar Waqar, S.I., T.I. Prof. Dr. Arif Kazmi Prof. Dr. Atiya Abbasi Prof. Dr. Bina S. Siddiqui S.I., T.I. Prof. Dr. El-Syed El-Ashry Prof. Dr. Farhat Ali Dr. Farzana Shaheen Prof. Dr. Fatima Basha, S.I. Prof. Dr. Fatima Shad Kaneez Prof. Dr. I. H. Qureshi	Dr. Kamran Azeem Dr. Khalid M. Khan, T.I. Prof. Dr. Mahboob Mohammad Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah Dr. Muhammad Shaiq Ali Prof. Dr. M. Mosihuzzaman Prof. Dr. Nurul Kabir Prof. Dr. Rafat Ali Siddiqui Prof. Dr. Rashida Ali Dr. Sabira Begum, P.P. Dr. Saifullah Khan Prof. Dr. Sarfaraz K. Niazi	Dr. Shabana U. Simjee Prof. Dr. Shaheen Faizi Dr. Shazia Anjum Dr. Syed Abid Ali Prof. Dr. Viqar U. Ahmed, H.I., S.I. Prof. Dr. Zafar Said Saify Dr. Zaheer Ahmed Dr. Zaheer-ul-haq Qasmi Dr. Shakeel Ahmad Mr. Mahmood Alam Mr. Mahboob Alam

CORRESPONDENCE
All correspondence should be addressed to:

Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary
Organizing Secretary
International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences
H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry
Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research
University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan
Phone: 92-21-4824924 / 4824925
Telefax: 92-21-4819018 / 4819019
E-mail: mhej@cyber.net.pk
Web: www.iccs.edu

SCOPE

The aim of the symposium is to bring together leading experts in the field of natural products sciences all around the world and forge global partnerships for sustainables utilization of natural resources for the common benefit of humanity and rapid development of the countries in the south. Following aspects of natural product sciences will be covered:

Isolation and structural elucidation of phytochemicals
Synthesis of natural products
Pharmacology and bioassay on natural products
Biotechnology for natural products development
Spectroscopy
Rational drug designing
Medicinal plants cultivation and conservation
Chemistry of marine and microorganisms

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM

The program will consist of Plenary Lectures, Invited Lectures and Poster Presentations. These lectures will be divided into several parallel sessions.

Some of the eminent scientists who will be invited to deliver Plenary and Invited Lectures include:

Prof. Ivano Bertini	Italy	Prof. Jurgeny Frey	Germany
Prof. Geoffery A. Cordell	USA	Prof. Wolfgang Voelter	Germany
Prof. Daniel D. Tranficante	USA	Prof. Pierre Vogel	Switzerland
Prof. Ian Fleming	UK	Prof. Ekkehard Winterfeldt	Germany
Prof. Tamio Hayashi	Japan	Prof. Prof. Yoshinori Yamamoto	Japan
Prof. Tatsu Higa	Japan	Prof. Dr. K. H. C. Baser	Turkey
Prof. Zvi Kelman	USA	Prof. Fatima Z. Basha	USA
Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman	Pakistan	Prof. Uwe Beifuss	Germany
Prof. Alain Krief	Belgium	Prof. Bernard Bodo	France
Prof. Hung-wen (Ben) Liu	USA	Prof. Pierre Jean De-Clercq	Belgium
Prof. Koji Nakanishi	USA	Dr. Bruno Figadere	France
Prof. Mugio Nhishizawa	Japan	Prof. Ikhlas A. Khan	USA
Prof. G. Ourisson	France	Prof. Karsten Krohn	Germany
Prof. Stanislaw Penczek	Poland	Prof. Bilge Sener	Turkey
Prof. R. R. Schmidt	Germany	Prof. Spitzner	Germany
Dr. Antonio C. Tedesco	Brazil	Prof. Csaba Szantay	Hungary
Prof. Inhiya Ninomiya	Japan	Prof. Ayhan Ulubelen	Turkey
Prof. Akira Tsuji	Japan	Prof. Nicolas Winssinger	France
Prof. John H.P. Tyman	UK	Prof. Paulo Roberto H. Moreno	Brazil
Prof. H. Budzikiewicz	Germany	Prof. Nesar Ahmed	UK
Prof. A. R. Katritzky	USA	Prof. Oee Sook Park	Korea
Prof. Massuo Jorge Kato	Brazil	Dr. Daniele Passarella	Italy
Prof. Arne J. Aasen	Norway	Prof. Jan Schripsema	Brazil
Dr. Ali Almourabit	France	Prof. Kjell Undheim	Norway
Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Azad	South Africa	Prof. Tomas Vanek	C. Republic
Prof. Nam-In Baek	Korea	Dr. Marta A. Vattuone	Argentina
Prof. Roberto Ballini	Italy	Dr. Shao Fang Wang	Australia
Dr. Hdivig Bolcskei	Hungary	Dr. Ying Wang	Switzerland
Dr. Maria do Carmo Carreiras	Portugal	Dr. Thomas Weimer	Germany
Prof. Ih-Sheng Chen	Taiwan	Prof. Nicolas Winssinger	France
Prof. Harald Greger	Austria	Dr. Stephane Quideau	France
Prof. Mercedes Unzeta Lopez	Spain	Prof. Noemi H. Waksman	Mexico
Prof. Jose Luis Marco-Contelles	Spain	Prof. Tohio Fujita	Japan
Prof. Anita J. Marsaioli	Brazil	Dr. Emi Okuyama	Japan
Prof. Dr. X. Tan	China

VENUE

The symposium will be held at the beautiful campus of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences at the University of Karachi. The ICCBS campus is located at about 30 minutes drive from the Jinnah International Airport and about 40 minutes driving distance from the largest shopping area in the center of the city. Bank, post office, stores, restaurants and travel agencies are also located within short distance of the conference venue. Evening bus shuttles will run during the symposium for the scientists, staying on-campus, to take them to various shopping centers and other attractions in the city.

REGISTRATION

The registration fee includes entry to scientific lectures, poster sessions, exhibition, full set of abstracts, a copy of the conference program, daily refreshments (tea/coffee), conference banquet, cultural/musical evening, welcome mixer and free transportation from hotels to the venue of the symposium.

Please note that accompanying persons can attend the welcome mixer, conference banquet and cultural/musical evening, but they may not attend any of the technical sessions.

Desk registration is also possible but accommodation and entry to social events will not be guaranteed.

In the case of cancellation before September 30, 2008 the fees will be refunded after a deduction of US$ 100. No refund on cancellation will be made after this date. A 10% discount will be given to IUPAC members.

Advance registration charges		Registration charges after September 30, 2008
Private organizations	US$ 800	Private organizations	US$ 1200
Academics	US$ 500	Academics	US$ 800
Students	US$ 300	Students	US$ 450
Accompanying persons	US$ 100	Accompanying persons	US$ 350

LANGUAGE

The official language of the conference will be English.

VISA

You are requested to apply for a visa to the nearest Pakistani Embassy or High Commission. Participants from countries with no Pakistani diplomatic mission should also write to the Secretariat at least three months in advance. A formal invitation letter would be required from the organizing secretary (Prof. M. Iqbal Choudhary) for this purpose.

TRAVEL

Karachi has a modern international airport, which provides connections to all major cities of the world. Most of the major airlines of the world have frequent flights to Karachi, since the city provides a major route linking with the Far East as well as with the Middle East, Europe and USA. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is the official airline. Your travel agent or any PIA office can provide you with full details on travel to Karachi.

ACCOMMODATION

All plenary and invited speakers will be accommodated in the International Guest house of ICCBS, which has excellent accommodation facilities. However other participants can reserve their accommodation from the following hotels, in advance, on self-payment basis. Complementary transportation will be provided to them during the symposium.

Class A
5-3-Star Hotels	Approx. per night	Distance from symposium venue
A-1 Hotel Sheraton A-2 Hotel Marriott A-3 Hotel Pearl Continental A-4 Hotel Avari Tower A-5 Hotel Regent Plaza A-6 Hotel Carlton	US$ 250 US$ 250 US$ 200 US$ 150 US$ 120 US$ 120	(20 km) (20 km) (20 km) (18 km) (16 km) (25 km)
Class B
Other Hotels
C-1 Hotel Faran C-2 Best Western Hotel C-3 Hotel Mehran	US$ 40 US$ 60 US$ 60	(15 km) (13 km) (15 km)
Class C (Only for foreign graduate students)
Guest Houses	US$ 25	(15 km )

Only limited accommodation is available and participants are therefore advised to send the completed hotel accommodation form along with the registration fee and cheque corresponding to the number of nights they wish to stay in Karachi as soon as possible, particularly since hotels in Karachi are generally heavily booked in November. Payments should be made directly to the Secretariat either in the form of a bank draft in favor of “International Symposium” or by Visa credit card.

SHOPPING

The cities of Pakistan rightly boast of rich oriental bazaars as well as modern shopping plazas. Bargaining is not uncommon in the market places. Leather, woolen, cotton, brass, copper and wood works are some of the specialties. Onyx ware is in abundance. Gold and silver jewellery, intricately handcrafted, is also a major attraction. Pakistani carpets and rugs are among the best in the world.

CORRESPONDENCE

A message desk will be available for incoming and outgoing mail and fax messages at the registration area during the symposium. Email access and bulletin board will also be available for registered participants.

FOREIGN CURRENCY

Registration fees at the symposium desk can be paid in cash or through checks. Currency conversion to Pakistani rupees will be available at the counter of the Hotel Marriott and at commercial banks opened during the week (Monday to Saturday). Current exchange rate against US$ 1 = Pak Rupees 63.00 and Euro 1= 103 Pak Rupees.

GUIDELINES FOR PREPARATION OF ABSTRACTS

Lecturers and persons presenting posters are required to submit one-page abstracts. The entire abstract, including the title (bold 18 pt Times-Roman with only Initials in Capital), author(s) (12 pt Times New Roman with only Initials in Capitals), addresses and abstract text, must be typed with an electric typewriter or printed on a laser printer (line spacing 1.3-1.5, use preferably Times-Roman 12 pt), and it should fit into a rectangle of 23.5 cm x 16.2 cm, as per sample abstract enclosed. Abstracts of the accepted presentations will be printed directly and they should therefore be submitted in a camera-ready form.

CALL FOR POSTER PAPERS

Poster sessions are planned for November 5, 2008 for the 11th International Symposium from 10.00-14.00 hours. Authors are expected to be present for the sessions indicated in the conference program. Abstracts and posters must be in English and the poster abstracts should be submitted on the completed abstract form no later than September 30, 2008. Kindly send your abstract to Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary Organizing Committee International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.

GUIDELINES FOR POSTER PREPARATION

All posters must be in English. The poster board area will be 1.2 m x 1.8 m. Try to use large letters for the titles, authors, and affiliation. Do not use pica or smaller fonts for figures or text. Minimize text and maximize the number of figures, schemes, and structures. The figure legends are essential and should be concise. The contents must be readable from at least six feet.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SYMPOSIUM

Persons presenting plenary or invited lectures must submit full papers (maximum 12 pages for Plenary Lectures and 8 pages for Invited Lectures) for publication in the form of Proceedings Volume, which is to be published immediately after the conference. Persons submitting Posters may also submit brief papers (4 pages). The authors should send their articles in a camera-ready format, typed according to the instructions (to be sent separately) to Prof. M. Iqbal Choudhary (Address: Symposium Secretariat) before October 31, 2008. We will offer the Proceedings Volume at a special price of US$ 60 to all delegates. Please include US$ 60 and indicate on the registration form if you want to order the Symposium Proceedings at the reduced rates.

PUBLICATION OF ABSTRACTS

An abstract booklet will be produced directly from the abstracts accepted and distributed to the participants during the symposium.

PUBLICATION OF PLENARY AND INVITED LECTURES

The Plenary and Invited Lectures will be published in a separate volume of the conference proceedings. Instructions for these will be sent separately and must be brought in a camera-ready form and preferably delivered at the time of the conference. Submission of a paper is a pre-requisite for participation.

POSTERS

Posters are invited in all the fields mentioned in the scientific program. The enclosed poster presentation form should be carefully completed and received at the Secretariat by September 30, 2008. It will be screened for relevance to the conference and the authors will be notified of acceptance by December 31, 2008.

PAKISTAN’S BASIC FACTS

Area:                                                                   8,03943 sq. kilometers
Population                                                            160 million
Capital:                                                                Islamabad

Provinces                                                           Capital Cities
North-West Frontier Province (NWFP)                    Peshawar
Punjab                                                                 Lahore
Sindh                                                                   Karachi
Balochistan                                                          Quetta
Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA)              Gilgit
Azad Jammu & Kashmir                                        Muzaffarabad

Principal Cities: Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Multan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta.

Hill Resorts: Murree, Nathiagali, Abbottabad, Kaghan.

Languages: National Language Urdu. English is widely used in correspondence and communication. Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtu and Baluchi are the principal regional languages.

CLIMATE

Karachi is usually sunny and pleasant in November with average day temperature of 20 °C and the night temperature falling to 10-15 °C.

Except for a section of the coastal area, the climate in Pakistan is relatively dry. Winters from November to Feb. have chilly nights and bright sunny days with severe winter and snow in the Northern Areas. The summers are hot from April to August with heavy rains in July and August in the plains of the Punjab and the Northern Areas. Karachi, however, remains temperate as a pleasant breeze blows from the Arabian Sea.

PAKISTAN STANDARD TIME

GMT plus 5 hours.

PAKISTANI CUISINES

Pakistani food is rich and generally meat based. All restaurants offer a range of “Kababs”, barbecued chicken and grilled meat variously spiced and marinated. The most popular meat is lamb followed by chicken. Beef kababs are also popular. Flattened bread (“nan”) baked in a deep gas or coal-fired or thinner floppy bread (“chapati”) pit is invariably served with all meals. If you like curry, there is a whole variety available everywhere. The popular local drinks are “lassi” (yogurt beaten to a rich paste with water and sugar added) or fresh lime in water sweetened with a rich helping of sugar. The food is not expensive. However take care and avoid drinking unboiled tap water or raw vegetables since our germs are notorious for their passion for visiting “juicy and delicious” foreign visitors!

KARACHI AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

Karachi is Pakistan’s largest city and the East’s first aviation gateway. With a population of more than fifteen million, Karachi is also the country’s premier port, handling billions of tons of cargo every year. A sleeping fishing village only a century ago, Karachi came into limelight when the British moved the capital of Sindh from Hyderabad to this port city. A modern port started to emerge as did a large military cantonment. Another attraction that the Karachi harbor offers is the endless rows of decorated country boats ready to take you out a mile or two into sea on a crab trip. Crabs are abundant here and your catch is sure to be a big one. A meal is prepared out of your catch while you are still out at sea and dinner is served on board as you sail back into the harbor.

Bazaars and beaches are, however, not the only

attractions that this pulsating city offers. Be sure to visit the National Museum, Mohatta Palace Art Gallery and the world famous Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum. With a massive marble dome and sprawling gardens, the mausoleum is an apt monument to the statesmanship and acumen of a man who almost single-handedly carved out the state of Pakistan, despite all odds. Moorish arches and a huge crystal chandelier gifted by the Chinese befittingly adorn the last resting place of the Father of the nation, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who is not only buried in this city but was also born here in a house which is now National monument. Smartly turned out contingents from the Pakistan Armed Forces take turns to guard the mausoleum in a colorful ceremony, held thrice a day. The following are some of the notable sites which make the city of Karachi a general attraction.

CHAUKANDI TOMBS

Just about 27 km out of Karachi lies the mysterious cluster of centuries old graves dating back to the 16th century A.D. Not much is known about them but their intricate carvings and floral details surely point to the presence of a prosperous community in the area. The designs and carvings distinguish the graves of men and women, with floral patterns dominating the graves of the females and horses carved on those of the males.

The trading town of Thatta, 100 km to the east of Karachi, is a city that dates back more than 2000 years. It boasted of a prosperous river port but was sadly abandoned over 200 years ago when the river Indus changed its course and Thatta’s outlet to the sea dried up. This is a town of changing fortunes. It reached its zenith some five centuries ago during the height of Mughal rule when it served as the regional capital of successive Muslim rulers. Thatta also has one of the most beautiful mosques of the subcontinent, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the mid-seventeenth century (who also built the Taj Mahal in Agra, India). A massive brick structure, the Shah Jahan mosque has 93 domes designed to provide perfect acoustics to carry the voice of the prayer leader to all parts of the huge mosque. It is an architectural wonder. The pleasing blue and white tiles are attractively and elaborately displayed, making this mosque quite apart from the many magnificent mosques built in the subcontinent by the Mughals.

THATTA

MAKLI

The glory that Thatta was evident from the large and now abandoned graveyard in the hills of Makli, spread over almost fifteen square kilometers perhaps the largest graveyard in the world. It is the common resting place of a million both nobles and commoners. The tombs of the rich are, however, distinguished by the exquisite work of art with delicately carved patterns and mostly in sandstone. Makli is only 98 km east of Karachi on the Karachi-Thatta highway just short of Thatta.

MOENJODARO

Perhaps, the single most important historical discovery in Sindh and Pakistan is Moenjodaro (the city of the dead), located on the banks of the river Indus, about 550 km from Karachi on the Super Highway and about an hour’s flight from Karachi. One of the earliest human civilizations was excavated here, thus unfolding the richness and maturity of the famous Indus valley civilization that flourished here some 4,500 years ago. It is an intriguing and unusual fact to know that this civilization existed at the same time as the Pharaohs of Egypt and the great Mesopotamian civilization that developed in the Middle East. Evidence suggests that there were cultural and commercial exchanges amongst them. There is little wonder that all these three great civilizations, perhaps, shared a commonality of belief and worship. A visit to Pakistan without a trip to Moenjodaro is like having been to Rome and not been to Colosseum.

OTHER SITES IN PAKISTAN

KEENJHAR LAKE

Thatta, Makli and Bhambore are all a part of a day trip from Karachi, which will also take you to the famous Keenjhar Lake. Encompassing an area of 65 sq. km with its comfortable kabanas with well-appointed air-conditioned rooms, baths and boats for as little as fifty dollars a night. The lake complex also provides a full-fledged restaurant service and guests may bring in their catch from the lake to be prepared by the kitchen staff.

LAHORE

Lahore, the capital city of the Punjab - the fabled land of five rivers - may be considered as the heart of the country. Lahore is a city rooted in history and traditions, art and culture, festivity and festivals. It is also the hub of the nation’s politics. More than any other city, Lahore represents Pakistan’s vast and rich cultural heritage- a mosaic on which the Mughal imprints of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries predominate. It is a city of mosques and mausoleums, forts and palaces, gardens and bazaars - all remarkably well preserved open to visitors all the year round.

Behind massive walls of the Lahore fort, the Mughal built palaces and gardens, each regaling in original architectural design and beauty. The most prominent amongst these palaces is the famous Sheesh Mahal (the palace of mirrors) built by Emperor Shah Jahan. The interior walls of the Sheesh Mahal are inlaid with thousands of pieces of reflecting glasses throwing many images of the dancing girls who performed here to the delight of the Emperor and his courtiers. Adjacent to the palace of mirrors is the imposing ‘Naulakha’ pavilion carved out of brilliant white marble with its attractive and equally imposing arched roof. Built in the early seventeenth century, this pavilion was the favored and popular afternoon retreat of the Mughal princesses.

Emperor Aurangzeb, the last of the Great Mughal emperors, built the last but the most prominent architectural monument of Lahore, the famous Badshahi Mosque with a giant courtyard, the largest in any mosque in the world. The unusual symmetry of the three huge white marble domes of the mosque is a tribute to the perfectionist qualities of the masons of the day.

On the outskirts of Lahore is the monumental tomb of Emperor Jahangir, set amidst sprawling gardens a few steps away from the famous Grand Trunk Road that runs through the entire subcontinent from East to West. Not far from Jahangir’s mausoleum is the tomb of his Empress Noorjehan or the “light of the world” that reportedly exercised great influence on the Emperor and was the only Empress of the Mughal dynasty whose name appeared on the coins of the Mughal Empire.

The most popular of the Mughal monuments, however, is the famous Shalimar gardens just outside the city. Spread over 40 acres of beautifully landscaped and terraced gardens, the Shalimar was laid out during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan more than three centuries ago. It has a central water channel over 600 meters long feeding hundreds of fountains and many large and small decorative pools.

ISLAMABAD AND RAWALPINDI (TWIN CITIES)

Islamabad, the most modern city of Pakistan, was built in 1962 as the capital. This very well planned and beautiful city is considered to be among the most attractive newly built cities of the world. The world famous Shah Faisal mosque, parliament house, Supreme court building, Convention center, President and Prime Ministerial houses and several other buildings give this city a unique touch of modern architecture. Islamabad is surrounded from two sides with large mountains. The famous hill resort, Murree, is just 50 km away from Islamabad.

The contrast between the twin cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad is striking. Against the majestic, urban and modern appearance of Islamabad, Rawalpindi retains much of its rustic character with the full complement of narrow bazaars, centuries-old houses and, of course, a well laid out military cantonment.

TAXILA

Taxila is the center of the famous Gandhara civilization that flourished here some two thousand years ago. Located south of the river Indus, Taxila is only about 30 kilometers from Rawalpindi, a little off the main highway. Steeped deep in history, the excavations at Taxila take you back 2,500 years into the world of Buddha, Alexander, Ashoka and of course the emperor Kanishka whose imprints are visible to this day. It is here that the world’s most interesting civilization took roots.

Visitors to Taxila have much to be thrilled about. There is so much to explore that it is not unusual to get lost in the wilderness of an unbending imagination that runs wild as you step into the excavated ruins. It is here that you find endless images of Buddha. This great man of peace is depicted in exquisitely carved sculptures and statues glorifying him and his life.

TOUR AND SIGHTSEEING TRIPS

Several tours and sightseeing trips have been arranged for the conference participants and accompanying persons. This program covers guided tours to Karachi City, visits to beaches outside Karachi, archeological sites, and to the ancient and new cities of Pakistan. Rakaposhi Tours (Pvt.) is the official tour operator of the conference.

Tour # 1 (Everyday, November 7-10, 2008) Departure 1800 hrs Arrival 2200 hrs

Half-day (4 hours) crabbing/fishing trip-catch crabs and fished on board (a sail boat). Tour catch will be cooked on board and served. Soft drinks will also be served.

Tour # 2 (Everyday, November 7-10, 2008) Departure 0900 hrs Arrival 1700 hrs

Full day (8 hours) guided trip to various places in the metropolitan Karachi will include a visit to flag staff house (Jinnah House), Jinnah’s mausoleum, Clifton beach, carpet and handicraft warehouse, Tooba (defence) mosque, Zainab market and Bohri bazaar (shopping center). Soft drinks and lunch boxes will be served.

Tour # 3 (Everyday, November 7-10, 2008) Departure 0800 hrs Arrival 1700 hrs

Full day (8 hour) guided road trip to Thatta and Makli, 100 Km from Karachi. On the way back to Karachi city, a visit to Chaukundi tombs and Bhanbore will be made. Lunch and soft drinks will be served.

Tour # 4 (November 7, 2008) Departure 0630 hrs Arrival 2000 hrs

Air trip to historical city of Lahore, famous for its architectural beauty & elegance, and the great Mughal heritage, includes Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Old City Bazaar and Wazir Khan Mosque, Shalimar Gardens & Tombs of Jehangir & Queen Noorjehan. A late evening flight will bring you back to Karachi where you will be transferred to your hotel.

Tour # 5 (November 7, 2008) Departure 0530 hrs Arrival 2200 hrs

Air trip by morning flight to Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. After arrival onward departure to Taxila, the ancient archeological city, world famous for its Gandhara Civilization, art, architecture and sculpture that flourished here some two thousand years ago. The excavations at Taxila take you back 2500 years into the world of Buddha, Alexander, Ashoka and of course Emperor Kanishka whose imprints are visible to this day. It is here that the world’s most interesting civilization took roots. The Taxila museum houses one of the best collections of Gandhara Buddhist art in Pakistan, an interesting coin collection, artifacts and relics excavated from the site.

On return from Taxila you will also visit the twin cities of Islamabad/Rawalpindi. Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan nestles against the backdrop of the Margalla Hills. You will return to Karachi by evening flight and on arrival at Karachi airport you will be transferred to your hotel.

For the tour costs kindly see the Tour Registration Form. For further information please contact Rakaposhi Tours
(Email: rtl@khi.fascom.com) directly.

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11 Symposium Circular (Word Format)

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