Pakistan - frequently asked questions
Answers to most common questions.
How to Come Pakistan
By Air: Several International Airlines connect Pakistan
with the rest of the world. A few have direct
connections to Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar also.
National Airlines,PIA, has direct connections to major
destinations in USA, Europe, Middle and Far Eastern
countries. Other Pakistani airlines, Aero Asia and
Shaheen Air also operate on a few International air
routes.
Travel Within Pakistan
Air:
Pakistan’s national Airline, PIA, serves 38 domestic
airports with scheduled connections, including multiple
daily flights between major cities of Karachi, Quetta,
Multan, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar. Three private
airlines, Aero Asia, Air Blue and Shaheen Air, also
operate on domestic routes. PIA has daily flights
linking the northern tourist towns of Gilgit and Skardu
with Islamabad and Chitral with Peshawar. All flights to
northern Pakistan are subject to good weather
conditions.
Road:
Pakistan has an extensive network of roads and highways,
linking cities and towns with each other, like the Grand
Trunk Road (G.T. Road) with Lahore and Peshawar and the
Super Highway the National Highway links Karachi with
the interior of Sindh and Punjab while the Indus Highway
links Peshawar with the Southern Punjab and the RCD
Highway links Karachi with Quetta and Taftan (Pak-Iran
border). Karakoram Highway the 8th wonder of the world,
connects Pakistan with China (Kashgar) through
Islamabad, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Besham, Chilas, Gilgit,
Hunza, Sost and Khunjerab Pass (4,733 m above sea
level). A landmark has been achieved with the completion
of Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M2), and Faisalabad-Pindi
Bhatian Motorway (M3), which have opened some of the
remote areas of Pakistan for visitors. Another project
of Motorway i.e., Islamabad-Peshawar (M1) will be
completed by the end of 2005. Karachi - Gwadar Costal
Highway is also neer completion.
Public Transport
Taxis, 3-wheeler auto-rickshaws, vans, buses, mini buses
and tongas (horse driven carriage) are used to travel
within the city/town/village limits whereas inter city
air-conditioned, non air-conditioned buses, vans and
coaches are available from the main city bus terminals.
Taxi cost approximately US$ 0.20 per kilometer. Extra
10% for late hours. The cheapest bus/van ticket
(one-way) in a city (between two stops) is approximately
US$ 0.05.
Trains
Pakistan has over 12,700 kilometers of railway network.
The main lines run from Karachi to Peshawar connecting
important cities of Hyderabad, Rohri, Bahawalpur,
Multan, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Taxila and Peshawar. Another
main line links Quetta with the rest of the country. A
number of trains run between Quetta and Karachi via
Sukkur. Although there are several daily trains, the
faster trains among them like Shalimar Express,
Karakoram Express (Lahore-Karachi) and Rail Car
(Lahore-Rawalpindi) have more comfortable
air-conditioned compartments for travellers. Advance
booking is required from the Railway Reservation offices
throughout Pakistan. (Website: www.pakrail.com)
Where To Stay
Pakistan offers a wide range of accommodation. Modern,
well equipped chain-hotels like Sheraton and Avari (at
Karachi and Lahore), Pearl Continental Hotels (at
Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Bhurban).
Marriott (Karachi and Islamabad), Holiday Inn (Karachi,
Lahore, Multan and Islamabad), Serena Hotels (Islamabad,
Faisalabad, Quetta, Gilgit, Hunza and Saidu Sharif),
Pine Park Hotels (Naran, Khannian, Balakot and Shogran),
Green Hotels (Nathiagali, Abbottabad, Peshawar),
Shangrila Resorts and Hotels (Naran, Chilas, Skardu and
Raikot-KKH) offer good services and facilities. A
government tax/duty upto 17.5% is added to the rent at
most places.
PTDC Hotels and Motels
Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) operates
one hotel namely Flashman’s Rawalpindi and 26 well
furnished, moderately priced Motels throughout Pakistan.
What To Buy
Pakistan is a treasure house of exquisite handicrafts,
made by the craftsmen who devoted their life to cloth
weaving, pottery, metal work, wood work, stone carving
and decorating items, big or small. Pottery here is a
living history, a traditional craft that became an art,
with its origins going back to 3,000 years B.C. Today,
each region of Pakistan claims its own special jars and
jugs, from sturdy terracotta to paper-thin ceramics.
What To Eat
Having inherited the culinary traditions of the Mughals,
the Turks, the Central Asians and the Iranians, eating
out in Pakistan is a rich and unique experience. Most
local restaurants serve delicious Pakistani dishes.
Meat, fish and vegetable dishes are seasoned with
spices. Particularly palatable are the grills and
barbecues; Seekh or Chappal Kabab (minced meat grilled
on skewer or fried), Shami-Kabab (minced meat), Tikka
(barbecued mutton, beef or chicken) and Sajji (barbecued
leg of lamb). Pakistani mutton and chicken curries and
the oriental rice dish called, Pullao, are also popular
with natives and foreigners alike.
What To Wear
Lightweight, cotton clothes suffice except in the north
during winter. Men wear suits for business meetings and
social events. Casual shalwar suits are worn by all
women and most men in public. Women should dress
modestly.
Climate of Pakistan
Pakistan has well defined seasons. Winter (December -
February), Spring (March - April), Summer (May -
September) and Autumn (October - November). During
Summer in central and southern parts of the country, the
temperature may go as high as 45 C. However, the
Northern regions have very pleasant weather during
Summer. Between July and August, the monsoon brings an
average 38 to 51 cm of rain to the plains and 152 to 203
cm in lower Himalayan valleys of Murree, Kaghan, Swat
and Azad Kashmir.
Other information:
1: Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required
of all travellers arriving within 6 days from any part
of a country in which yellow fever is endemic. Infants
under 6 months of age are exempt if the mother’s
vaccination certificate shows her to have been
vaccinated prior to the child’s birth. Countries and
areas within the endemic zone are regarded as infected.
2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera
vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of
entry to Pakistan. However, cholera is a serious risk in
this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date
advice should be sought before deciding whether these
precautions should include vaccination, as medical
opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the
Health appendix.
3: Vaccination against typhoid is advised.
4: Malaria risk exists throughout the year in all
areas below 2000m (6560ft). The malignant falciparum
strain is present and has been reported as
chlorine-resistant.
Food & drink:
All water should be regarded as being potentially
contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or
making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise
sterilised. Milk is non-pasteurised and should be
boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is
advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with
pure water. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have
been made from non-pasteurised milk. Only eat well
cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Salad and
mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should
be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other risks:
Hepatitis A and E occur and hepatitis B is endemic.
Trachoma and typhoid fever are common. Between June and
January, Japanese encephalitis is a risk in rural areas.
Dengue fever may also occur.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk,
vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you
are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more
information, consult the Health appendix.
Note:
A certificate proving the visitor to be HIV-negative
is required if planning on staying over 1 year in the
country.
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