Anwar
Launched in 2015, White Rock Guesthouse is the creation of Anwar Wali Khan, a Booni native and local icon. Anwar’s charisma shines on and off the polo field, where his skillful—and sometimes silly—playing style earned him the 2023 “Man of the Match” award at the Shandur Polo Festival. Beyond sports, he’s a celebrated poet whose verses have become hit songs, a social worker improving lives across Chitral, and Booni’s youngest-ever elected mayor. But his most impressive feat? Convincing me, Claire Stephens, to write his bio (and marry him). Anwar speaks Khowar (Chitrali), English, Urdu, and Pashto.
Claire
After two years of backpacking, Claire arrived in Pakistan in 2023 and traveled all the way from Karachi to Booni by road. What was supposed to be a short stay at the guesthouse turned into a forever adventure when she married Anwar over a year later. A passionate rock climber with a love for theatre, cats, and strong coffee, Claire now shares her time between building a library-café-cultural center with Anwar and working with their nonprofit, Friends of Chitral, to create greater opportunities for Chitrali people. Claire also balances her work with U.S.-based health magazines as a researcher and editor. She speaks English and Turkish and is learning Khowar.
Zar
Our guesthouse wouldn’t be complete without Zar Hussain, affectionately known as Zangi, our in-house chef, driver, and dear friend. Zangi, a self-taught expert in Chitrali and Pakistani cuisine, has been with us from the guesthouse’s beginning, and can make just about anything you ask for. When he’s not in the kitchen or helping Anwar with the horses, he’s enjoying his favorite Turkish dramas, or dominating at everyone’s favorite board game, Settlers of Catan. He speaks Khowar, Urdu, and Pashto, and is learning English.
Anwar
Anwar Ul-Haq, our first cousin and trusted friend, is an integral part of the White Rock family. Hailing from the village of Torkhow, Anwar is admired for his calm, easygoing personality and relentless commitment, whether it’s managing the guesthouse or looking after our beloved horses each morning. His passion for human rights and making guests feel truly at home means no detail is ever overlooked. Anwar speaks Khowar, Urdu, and English.