A Memorable Picnic at Ghora Gali

In 1970 while I was with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III as his Private Secretary we had picnics at various resorts. Once Hazrat M.M.Ahmad suggested that Huzoor should spend a few days at Ghora Gali Forest Rest House near Murree. He said he would reserve the Guest House whenever Huzoor wanted to go there.

Ghora Gali is situated 34 miles from Pindi, at a height of 5,000 feet. In olden days when horse drawn vehicles used to operate between Rawalpindi and Murree the horses would be changed here, hence the name Ghora, meaning horse. The Forest Rest House is situated in the midst of picturesque surroundings. The views of lush green hill from the Rest House are stunning. The Rest House is quite spacious with servant quarters and is in a secluded area. During the summer months when the mercury shoots up to 110 degrees in the plains the cool and refreshing air of Ghora Gali breaths a new life in one's veins.
In 1970 while I was with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III as his Private Secretary we had picnics at various resorts. Once Hazrat M.M.Ahmad suggested that Huzoor should spend a few days at Ghora Gali Forest Rest House near Murree. He said he would reserve the Guest House whenever Huzoor wanted to go there.

Ghora Gali is situated 34 miles from Pindi, at a height of 5,000 feet. In olden days when horse drawn vehicles used to operate between Rawalpindi and Murree the horses would be changed here, hence the name Ghora, meaning horse. The Forest Rest House is situated in the midst of picturesque surroundings. The views of lush green hill from the Rest House are stunning. The Rest House is quite spacious with servant quarters and is in a secluded area. During the summer months when the mercury shoots up to 110 degrees in the plains the cool and refreshing air of Ghora Gali breaths a new life in one's veins.

M.M. Ahmad Sahib reserved the Rest House for three days. All the preparations were made. A small party of Khuddam was sent in advance to make necessary arrangements. Kitchen staff and a few guards were also sent along with the Khuddam party. We started at 11 am from Islamabad. M.M.Ahmad Sahib was leading the convoy in his chauffer driven car. I was driving Huzoor's car. Huzoor and Begum Sahiba were in very good and cheerful mood.

I was very much familiar with the route as I had spent many summer months in Murree during my student days. My Khaloo Rustum Khan Khattak was holding a senior position in the Survey Department of Pakistan during my student days. He always invited me to Murree hill station where he had his residence. Murree was a charming retreat for me from the unbearable heat of Peshawar in summer months. I still cherish fond memories of those days. Rustum Khan Sahib was a poet of Pushto language and I was deeply interested in Urdu poetry. There was an active Urdu Literary society in Murree. We were both honorary members of it. The society used to organise All Pakistan Urdu Poetry Sessions during summer. Poets of repute were invited to it.

Every afternoon I would go to the Mall Road for a walk and to have afternoon tea at a restaurant called Cecil. Their meat and chicken patties were delicious. All motor vehicle were prohibited on the Mall Road except the Governor of the Punjab's official car. One day I was sitting on a bench on the Mall when a smartly dressed old man sat next to me. He looked like an English gentleman with a hat and an umbrella. After a few minutes he asked me to introduce myself to him. I told him that I belonged to a small village called Mohib Banda in NWFP. He asked me whether I knew Danishmand Khan there. I was surprised and told him that he was my father. He jumped from his seat and embraced me. He said, "Are you Bashir Ahmad Rafiq". I was stunned and amazed. He said he was Khan Bahadur Dilawar Khan, Ex Commissioner and was a good friend of my father. He said he was an Ahmadi and knew that the elder son of Danishmand Khan had devoted his life for the cause of Islam and Ahmadiyyat. He then insisted that I should go with him to his villa in a picturesque part of Murree and have tea with him. I accepted his invitation and went with him to his palatial house in Kuldana, Murree. We had tea together. He was recipient of true dreams and revelations some of which he narrated to me. He was very happy to meet me as I was happy to meet him. He gave me his published Autobiography and asked me to meet him again.

Let me revert back to our trip to Ghora Gali. We arrived there around lunch time. Huzoor occupied the main building of the Rest House while the other members of his staff were lodged in the Annexe. I was given a room inside the main building almost next to Huzoor's Sitting room. We would bump into each other often as Huzoor had to pass through my room for going out to the lawns.

Lunch was ready which was cooked by the advance party of cooks. M.M.Ahmad left for Islamabad in the late afternoon.

There were beautifully laid lawns with flower beds in the precinct of the Rest House. Huzoor would take a stroll in it in the afternoon. I alone was honoured by Huzoor to accompany him and we would discuss various topics. Huzoor told me some of his dreams and interpreted these to me. He used to be in a casual mood in Shalwar Kamees and bare headed.

Every morning after breakfast I would take instructions from him regarding reports received from all corners of the world. Once or twice he invited me to have lunch with him in his private dining room.

On the third day it was decided to have a picnic at Bhur Bun which is on the other side of Murree. Bhurbun is about 10 km from Murree. It provides astonishing and spectacular views of the surrounding hills. Bhurban is a place with a lot of natural beauty. Bhurban golf Club with lush green gardens is unique for its altitude and tough layout. We had booked the Golf Club in advance. The views from the Golf Club of the mountains and green lawns were stunning. We had taken with us packed lunch with plenty of fresh fruits. After lunch Huzoor retired to a bedroom for rest and we all gathered in the beautiful lawns of the Club. Tea was served. Poetry was recited and some poems of the Promised Messiah were sung by a member of the party in his melodious voice. While sitting there and enjoying the breath taking views of the surrounding hills, I thought of the Lake District in Cumbria, England. In my imagination I found myself on the banks of Lake Windermere. I thought of our holidays in the lakes with my children. I thought of hot scones and Cream teas and of delicious Fish and Chips in the evening.

Huzoor came out after his siesta and joined us. He was in a jovial mood with a broad smile on his face. His face was shinning like a cool moon light and his hair were neatly combed. He asked me to compare the beauty of English country side with the scenes of Bourbon. He then recalled his visits to Scotland and the Lake District.
We left for Ghora Gali in the evening.

I have another association with Ghora Gali when I got my son admitted Munir Ahmad to the Lawrence College there. Munir passed his matriculation Examination from there and returned to England for further studies.
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