The rest house was constructed in 1888 during the early land settlement in Punjab. The history of this dated back to annexation of Punjab by British and subsequent early establishment of Forest department in the Punjab province
How To Get There
Take Lehtrar road from Islamabad and turn left at Chirah chowk towards Simli Dam and Patriata. In about thirty minutes, you would bypass Simli Dam and see the spill way on your left, drive another thirty minutes through hills and it will lead you to Karor.
Ask anyone about the Chawan Forest Rest House and they will put you in right direction to a nice two bedroom rest house on a small hill with breathtaking views of the valley.
The visitors’ book kept at the rest house is a treat to read with one Sultan Mohammad Khan complaining perennially about malfunctioning chimneys while the watchman complaining about ‘police methods and harassment’ by an unauthorized police officer who barged in with his camel men and other followers. Similarly, the watchman is being warned for allowing a naib tehsildar to stay and all this bickering is going on the page which also mentions ‘we were very well looked after’ by General Ayub Khan who was there from Dec 18-19, 1950.
Ask anyone about the Chawan Forest Rest House and they will put you in right direction to a nice two bedroom rest house on a small hill with breathtaking views of the valley.
The visitors’ book kept at the rest house is a treat to read with one Sultan Mohammad Khan complaining perennially about malfunctioning chimneys while the watchman complaining about ‘police methods and harassment’ by an unauthorized police officer who barged in with his camel men and other followers. Similarly, the watchman is being warned for allowing a naib tehsildar to stay and all this bickering is going on the page which also mentions ‘we were very well looked after’ by General Ayub Khan who was there from Dec 18-19, 1950.
Apart from Ayub Khan, the rest house hosted Roedad Khan, General K.M Arif, General Rafaqat and a number of Imperial Forest Service and Indian Civil Service officers. Mrs Tahira Izhar in 1984 mentions listening to ‘ Ghungroo’ (ankle dancing bells) and firing sounds which made her fearful; however Tehmina Khan from Government College Sialkot takes the prize by giving vivid details in 1985 of deadly howling dogs throughout the night who were trying to enter the rest house.
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You can always come back from Karor and after crossing the Simli Dam spill way, take a turn towards right to Simli Dam and lake. But to enjoy a cup of tea at the picturesque Simli rest house, you need prior permission from Capital Development Authority.
You can always come back from Karor and after crossing the Simli Dam spill way, take a turn towards right to Simli Dam and lake. But to enjoy a cup of tea at the picturesque Simli rest house, you need prior permission from Capital Development Authority.
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