Bomb-proof, earthquake-resistant and cheap: Modern-day caves near Hassanabdal

[Maarkhoor]

These caves are located in the heart of the city near Cadet College Hassanabdal, Mohallah Irshad Nagar and Green Town.
Dawn.comPublished about 15 hours ago
Thousands of villagers are choosing to hunker down in caves northwest of Islamabad, snapping up the hobbit-like homes amid a nationwide housing shortage.

Caves have served as one of the earliest dwellings for human beings, but today cavemen are thought to be a thing of the past. However, in the city of Hassanabdal, only 40 kilometres from the capital, entire families continue to live in caves locally known as ‘Bhoary’.

Many of these caves are located in urban areas, in the heart of the city near Cadet College Hassanabdal, Mohallah Irshad Nagar and Green Town. Other cave dwellers live in rural areas such as Nikko, Bai etc.

These people may live like cavemen, but their homes are equipped with all modern amenities, such as running water, electricity and cable television. The caves have also been lovingly decorated and furnished by the families who call them home. Shelves have been created in the freshly painted walls and beds, tables, books and utensils fill the rooms.

Ameer Ullah Khan washes his hands outside his cave home in Nikko village, about 60 kilometres from Islamabad. —AFP

Haji Abdul Rasheed combs his hair at the entrance to his cave room in Nikko village near Hasan Abdal. —AFP

A child sits in a cave room in Nikko village near the highway town of Hasan Abdal. —AFP

Faqeer Gul offers noon prayers in his cave room in Nikko village. —AFP

Thousands of villagers are choosing to hunker down in caves northwest of Islamabad, snapping up the hobbit-like homes amid a nationwide housing shortage. —AFP

https://www.dawn.com/news/1446793/b...t-and-cheap-modern-day-caves-near-hassanabdal

 

[Yaseen1]

nothing can be earthquake proof completely it depends on type of waves if earth moves a part from behind no one can remain safe

 

[Signalian]

The Simple Life

 

[Maarkhoor]

The Simple Life

No need of A/C in summer...cool

nothing can be earthquake proof completely it depends on type of waves if earth moves a part from behind no one can remain safe

Adhaa Glass khaali hai....period

 

[war&peace]

My childhood wish

 

[Jugger]

The point to be noted is ‘bomb proof’ and ‘earth quake proof’, now these are very important points to consider in high risk areas.
But how do one establish ownership over the cave..?
Is there a provision to own the land..?

 

[bananarepublic]

The point to be noted is ‘bomb proof’ and ‘earth quake proof’, now these are very important points to consider in high risk areas.
But how do one establish ownership over the cave..?
Is there a provision to own the land..?

I am more confused about the legal procedures involved in owning a cave as a residential unit. do they need to pay taxes for such houses.

 

[litman]

these people are living in caves out of poverty but they have most chances of survival in case global nuclear conflict. remember the dooms day clock is at 2 mins to mid night.

 

[Dubious]

These caves are located in the heart of the city near Cadet College Hassanabdal, Mohallah Irshad Nagar and Green Town.
Dawn.comPublished about 15 hours ago
Thousands of villagers are choosing to hunker down in caves northwest of Islamabad, snapping up the hobbit-like homes amid a nationwide housing shortage.

Caves have served as one of the earliest dwellings for human beings, but today cavemen are thought to be a thing of the past. However, in the city of Hassanabdal, only 40 kilometres from the capital, entire families continue to live in caves locally known as ‘Bhoary’.

Many of these caves are located in urban areas, in the heart of the city near Cadet College Hassanabdal, Mohallah Irshad Nagar and Green Town. Other cave dwellers live in rural areas such as Nikko, Bai etc.

These people may live like cavemen, but their homes are equipped with all modern amenities, such as running water, electricity and cable television. The caves have also been lovingly decorated and furnished by the families who call them home. Shelves have been created in the freshly painted walls and beds, tables, books and utensils fill the rooms.

Ameer Ullah Khan washes his hands outside his cave home in Nikko village, about 60 kilometres from Islamabad. —AFP

Haji Abdul Rasheed combs his hair at the entrance to his cave room in Nikko village near Hasan Abdal. —AFP

A child sits in a cave room in Nikko village near the highway town of Hasan Abdal. —AFP

Faqeer Gul offers noon prayers in his cave room in Nikko village. —AFP

Thousands of villagers are choosing to hunker down in caves northwest of Islamabad, snapping up the hobbit-like homes amid a nationwide housing shortage. —AFP

https://www.dawn.com/news/1446793/b...t-and-cheap-modern-day-caves-near-hassanabdal

I bet they are cooler in summer too...I remember some tourism trying to promote "hobbit" like hotels

 

[Nefarious]

Going to be nice and cool in there.

Caves are not just poverty anymore.

Don't know if anyone has ever watched the programme 'grand designs', featured some people's moving in to hillside caves etc. Not too dissimilar to the above. These are dream homes to some people in West.

I would consider if I had enough money for a getaway

 

[Dubious]

The Simple Life

Simple life with tech!

 

[ghazi52]

Modern-day cavemen

AMJAD IQBAL

Kala Khan stands at the entrance of the passage that leads to the 36 cave-homes, owned by his family.— Photos by the writer

Caves have served as one of the earliest dwellings for human beings, but today cavemen are thought to be a thing of the past. However, in the city of Hassan Abdal, only 40 kilometres from the capital, entire families continue to live in caves locally known as ‘Bhoary’.

Many of these caves are located in urban areas, in the heart of the city near Cadet College Hasanabdal, Mohallah Irshad Nagar and Green Town. Other cave dwellers live in rural areas such as Nikko, Bai etc.

Saira Bibi watches cartoons on the television inside the cave, her family calls home. She says she loves her home, where she plays and studies with her cousins.

These people may live like cavemen, but their homes are equipped with all modern amenities, such as running water, electricity and cable television. The caves have also been lovingly decorated and furnished by the families who call them home. Shelves have been created in the freshly painted walls and beds, tables, books and utensils fill the rooms.

Shahid Khan, a local social worker, said poverty and inflation have forced these people to “live in the Stone Age”.

A man exits his cave-home in Hassan Abdal. Cows kept by the family are tied outside the home.
Ms Sadiq Sultan, 92, said she has lived in a cave for as long as she could remember. The cave was built by her forefathers and since then five generations have called it home. She said living in the caves has its own advantages as the rooms remain cool during summer months and are naturally warm during winter.

Another cave dweller, Fazal Wali, brought his family from Fata and settled them in a cave home.

Kala Khan, sits inside his cave-home in Nikko village, Hassanabdal. “The temperature inside the cave is so cold that I have to use a blanket in the middle of the summer,” he said.
“We live in a cave because we cannot afford to rent a house. However, since we are used to living in mud houses, living in a cave is not odd for us,” he said. Irfan Ali, who lives in a cave in Green Town said caves are dug for Rs 3,000 per metre.

Children sit reading books in a bedroom inside their cave-home.

“Special diggers are hired for the construction of a cave-home. The spot has to be chosen carefully so that there is no seepage of water as a cave may collapse from improper drainage,” he said. He added that a typical cave-home is 100 metres long and 25 metres wide.

The exterior view of a cave-home, known as Bhoary in Hassan Abdal.

The family of Kala Khan, who is locally revered as a saint, owns 36 cave-homes created in one hill in the village Nikko. He said the cave-homes he owns predate the creation of Pakistan and can house 500 people and a school.

 

[ghazi52]

Bomb-proof, earthquake-resistant and cheap: Modern-day caves near Hassanabdal

These caves are located in the heart of the city near Cadet College Hasanabdal, Mohallah Irshad Nagar and Green Town.


Thousands of villagers are choosing to hunker down in caves northwest of Islamabad, snapping up the hobbit-like homes amid a nationwide housing shortage.

Caves have served as one of the earliest dwellings for human beings, but today cavemen are thought to be a thing of the past. However, in the city of Hassanabdal, only 40 kilometres from the capital, entire families continue to live in caves locally known as ‘Bhoary’.

Many of these caves are located in urban areas, in the heart of the city near Cadet College Hassanabdal, Mohallah Irshad Nagar and Green Town. Other cave dwellers live in rural areas such as Nikko, Bai etc.

These people may live like cavemen, but their homes are equipped with all modern amenities, such as running water, electricity and cable television. The caves have also been lovingly decorated and furnished by the families who call them home. Shelves have been created in the freshly painted walls and beds, tables, books and utensils fill the rooms.

Ameer Ullah Khan washes his hands outside his cave home in Nikko village, about 60 kilometres from Islamabad. —AFP

Haji Abdul Rasheed combs his hair at the entrance to his cave room in Nikko village near Hasan Abdal. —AFP

A child sits in a cave room in Nikko village near the highway town of Hasan Abdal. —AFP

Faqeer Gul offers noon prayers in his cave room in Nikko village. —AFP

Thousands of villagers are choosing to hunker down in caves northwest of Islamabad, snapping up the hobbit-like homes amid a nationwide housing shortage.

 

[Umair Nawaz]

its part of the tradition of these group of people.

 

[xyxmt]

The point to be noted is ‘bomb proof’ and ‘earth quake proof’, now these are very important points to consider in high risk areas.
But how do one establish ownership over the cave..?
Is there a provision to own the land..?

its someone's land and they have a home in their own land, these are not natural caves but man made