PAKISTAN – General

Pakistan is a large country (1.5 times the size of France) in South Asia at the crossroads of Central Asia, East Asia, and South Asia. Located along the Arabian Sea, it is surrounded by Afghanistan to the west and northwest, although Tajikistan is separated by the Wakhan Corridor, Iran to the southwest and also shares a maritime boundary with Oman, The Republic of India is to the east, and China to the northeast. It is strategically located astride the ancient trade routes of the Khyber and Bolan passes between the countries of South-Central Asia and the rest of Southern Asia.
People in Pakistan are very hospitable. Don’t feel unsafe if people there offer you help without a particular reason. They sometimes even give gifts to foreigners just to make them feel at home.
Discussion about religion and Islam should remain respectful and positive.

WARNING: Despite the consistent reduction in terrorism-related fatalities
(https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/244460-Terrorist-attacks-in-Pakistan-continue-to-decline-report), some foreign governments still advise against travel to Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan maintains heightened security measures, especially in major cities, and these measures may vary from day to day. Certain areas in the tribal regions and the Afghanistan-Pakistan border are considered active war zones by the Pakistani military and therefore will not be accessible to both locals and foreigners. Do not try to illegally get into these areas as this could turn out to be fatal or may result in kidnapping for ransom. Make sure to obtain up-to-date information before you leave. For more accurate information refer to the country links below.

Capital: Islamabad
Currency: Pakistani Rupee (PKR). 1E = 200 PR, 1US$ = 180 PR
ATMs do not exist in most areas and rarely accept major credit cards. One ends up exchanging cash for PR.
Area: 881,913 km²
Population: 212,742,631 (2017 census)
Language: Urdu (official, national) 8%, English (official, government), Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Seraiki 10%, Pashto 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, Burushaski and others 8%
Religion: Muslim 97%, Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Sikhs and others 3%
Electricity: 230V, 50Hz (Europlug & old British Plug)
Country Code: +92
Drive: On the left
Phone: It is not easy to get a SIM card as a foreigner. No small kiosks will sell you one. I obtained mine at the Jazz Headquarters store with long waits. But that SIM could not be activated and it turned out not to be the HQ at all. I went to three franchises who tried to activate it but couldn’t. I finally found the true Jazz HQ – called Jazz Experience – and had to buy a new SIM. But it would still not activate so made one more trip to the Clifton area (about 10 km from my hotel). She restarted my phone and finally, I had both data and a phone. The cost of a SIM was 1500 PR (about €7.50), still very cheap.
Renting a car. This has been another exercise in patience. Few or no companies will rent without a driver. Avis is hopeless as the only address has been closed for 2 years, but they still message stating that my rental is ready! Totally hopeless. Hertz demands to have a driver. I visited their location (Movenpick Hotel) but the fellow there was rather stund. He gave me an email address to write to confirm the rental but they never replied. The phone number never worked.
English. Interestingly, every store is named in English, not Urdu. Few speak English unless they have had post-grade 12 schooling.

HISTORY
The history of Pakistan traces back to the beginnings of human life in Southern Asia. Pakistan lies on the geographic location of the famous Indus Valley civilization—amongst the oldest in the world. The earliest archaeological evidence of this civilization can be found in Mehrgarh and traces back to 7000 BC. By 3300 BC, the “Indus Valley Civilization” had well-planned towns and well-laid roads but left no evidence of weapons or fortifications. Their power declined and disintegrated around 1900 BC, possibly due to drought and geological disturbances. Most historians say that the Vedic people, or Aryans, were later migrants, who encountered a civilization in decline and perhaps hastened that decline. According to this view, the Vedic people eventually occupied most of North India, while the descendants of the Indus Valley cultures moved south and gave rise to the Dravidian culture. The minority view challenges this Aryan Migration theory, claiming that the Indus Valley people were in fact the ones who compiled the Vedas.
Prior to the 1st of November in 1857 colonial rule the area of Pakistan was the area from which the Muslims ruled over Central and Southern Asia for over 1,000 years. Because Pakistan was India it thus became part of the Imperial Indian Empire, both the countries share some of the history in the region but separated in 1947 in favour of self-rule due to state-led suppression of Muslims in British India.
The official name of Pakistan was used after the Independence and partitions of Bengal and the Punjab provincial regions within the former (British) India into the two sovereign nation-states of Modern India (Hindustan) and Pakistan in 1947. However, the word Pakistan was first used by Ch. Rehmat Ali back in 1933 in his declaration, Now or Never – calling for its separation from the Empire. Afterward, British-ruled India was divided into the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. A dispute over the Occupied territory of Indian-administered Kashmir is ongoing between the Republic of India and Pakistan ever since 1947, three direct wars have been fought and over for this geo-strategic Himalayan region respectively.

Terrain. Pakistan is one of those few countries in the world which has every kind of geological structure. It has the sea, desert (Sindh & Punjab), green mountains (North West Province), dry mountains (Balochistan), mountains covered with ice, rivers, rich land to cultivate (Punjab & Sindh), water resources, waterfalls, forests, etc. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan contain the mountain ranges of the Himalayas, the Karakoram, and the Hindu Kush. Pakistan’s highest point is K2, at 8,611m which is the second-highest peak in the world. The Punjab province is a flat, alluvial plain whose rivers eventually join the Indus River and flow south to the Arabian Sea. Sindh lies between the Thar Desert the Rann of Kutch to the east, and the Kirthar range to the west. The Balochistan Plateau is arid and surrounded by dry mountains. Pakistan experiences frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe, especially in the north and west.
Climate. Mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north. Flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August). Fertile and sub-humid heat in the Punjab region.
Holidays
Eid-ul-Fitr – the largest holiday of the year, it celebrates the start of the holy month of Shawwal. Food is the highlight, and if you’re lucky you’ll be invited into a private home for a feast. Businesses close for at least a couple days if not a week.
Eid-ul-Azha – the festival of sacrifice, commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son
Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi – Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W), varies according to Hijera calendar
Pakistan Day – March 23
Labour Day – 1 May
Independence Day – 14 Aug
Defense Day – 6 Sep
Quaid-e-Azam’s deathday – 11 Sep
Quaid-e-Azam’s birthday – 25 Dec
Ramadan – the 9th and holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast every day for its duration and most restaurants will be closed until the fast breaks at dusk. Nothing (including water and cigarettes) is supposed to pass through the lips from dawn to sunset. Foreigners and travelers are exempt from this, but you should still refrain from doing it in public

REGIONS 
SINDH. Most visitors head for Karachi or the ancient ruins of Mohendro-Daro.
Karachi – the Financial capital and the largest city of the country, it’s an industrial port city and the provincial capital of Sindh.
Observe the wonders of Karachi, Pakistan’s former capital and its largest city, situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea. The magnificent Quaid-e-Azam’s Mazar, the mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan, is made entirely of white marble with impressive north African arches. 
Thar desert in Sindh

BALOCHISTAN. The largest and most remote province, its lack of infrastructure can make for rough traveling. Most foreign visitors here are just passing through from Iran, stopping briefly in Quetta.
Quetta – a large, beautiful and slightly unruly city in the southern state of Balochistan, you’ll pass through here en route to or from Iran

ISLAMABAD CAPITAL TERRITORY 
The capital area encompasses Islamabad, the Margalla Hills and the ancient ruins of Taxila
Islamabad – The Federal capital, a relatively new planned city with a much more laid-back feel than the rest of the country’s cities
Shah Faisal Masjid, Islamabad. A majestic white building comprises four 88m (288ft) minarets and a desert tent-like structure, which is the main prayer chamber and can accommodate 1 hundred thousand worshippers. is closed to the public for inside view these days, but you can enjoy its outside view.

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA and the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas)
Primarily Pashtun, the area is very rugged and mountainous yet extremely hospitable. Northern Pakhtunkhwa (including Dir, Swat, Asgharabad, etc) has some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.
Peshawar – Capital city of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it is the gateway to the Khyber Pass and is one of the ancient walled cities of Pakistan. It used to be the capital of the Gandhara civilization which stretched to Japan. The city was in ancient times surrounded by high walls with 20 entry gates.
Much of the surrounding area is still under the jurisdiction of tribal law. These areas can only be visited with a permit from the relevant authorities.
The Khyber Pass, Afridis. Visit the legendary 1,067m- (3,501ft-) high break in the sheer rock wall separating Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Chitral, Hindu Kush Mountains north of Peshawar. Visit this wild and beautiful area of Pakistan. It is inhabited by the Kalash people, the last of the non-Islamic tribes of Kafiristan. This valley is noted for its hot springs and trout-filled rivers.
Kalasha Valleys – witness the decline of a truly unique culture in Chitral District
Bridge over a river on the railway track from “Rohri to Quetta”
Swat Valley, East of Chitral. An area of wild mountains and fantastic alpine scenery. In ancient times, it was home to the famous Gandhara school of sculpture, a manifestation of Greek-influenced Buddhist forms. The ruins of great Buddhist stupas, monasteries and statues remain. It also boasts popular mountain retreats such as Miandam and Mingora.
Peace has returned to Swat Valley and the army holds full control with lots of Foreign Nationals working in the form of NGOs. Road infrastructure was destroyed due to the 2010 floods but the army does massive efforts to restore the infrastructure. The infrastructure in Balochistan is not as widely maintained due to its sparse population, but the vast province’s beauty is worth seeing.

PUNJAB. The most populous and agriculturally fertile region in the country and home to many historical shrines and mosques
Lahore – City of the Mughals, bustling and a very historical city that shouldn’t be missed.
Khewra Salt Mines, (Lahore – Islamabad Motorway (M-2) cuts through the centre of the Salt Range, with exit points at Kallar Kahar and Lillah). Located near Kallar Kahar about 160 kilometres from Islamabad and 260 kilometres from Lahore on the Islamabad-Lahore (M2) Motorway, Khewra Salt Mines are the world’s second largest salt mine. A tourist train runs inside the mine tunnels and passes through some incredible sculptures & structures made up of salt. There is also a twelve-bed therapy centre inside the mine called the Khewra Asthma Clinic, which has the reputation of having healing powers owing to the health benefits of its micro-climate. Shops inside the mine sell crafted lamps, sculptures and ornaments made up of salt.
Faisalabad – A major city in Punjab, famous for its textile industry
Cholistan desert in Punjab, which it shares with neighboring India.

AZAD KASHMIR. Pakistan occupied portion of the Jammu&Kashmir region. The line of control between the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and its Indian counterpart is off-limits for foreign tourists, though domestic tourists can visit ‘Azad Kashmir’ without any restriction (but should keep their identity cards with them). Kashmir is a particularly sensitive topic and best avoided altogether.
Muzaffarabad – Capital of Azad Kashmir and a very picturesque city

GILGIT-BALTISTAN (Part of POK formerly known as the Northern Areas) home to some of the world’s tallest mountains, it’s brimming with dramatically fantastic landscapes and can easily compete with Nepal for trekking opportunities
Mountain peaks and glaciers – Gilgit-Baltistan is home to some of the highest mountains in the world, including K2 (second-highest mountain in the world), Rakaposhi and Nanga Parbat, and offer incredible trekking opportunities. In an area of about 500 kms in width and 350 kms in depth, is found the most dense collection of some of the highest and precipitous peaks in the world, boasting more than 700 peaks above 6000 metres, and more than 160 peaks above 7000 metres. The Baltoro Glacier and the Batura Glacier are the largest outside the polar regions.
The Great Trango Tower, 6,286 m (20,608 ft)
Karakoram Highway – part of the historic Silk Road, it’s the main artery running north to China.
Hunza Valley – one of the more stunning and popular parts of the high mountain areas, some liken it to paradise on Earth. Supposedly the setting for James Hilton’s Shangri-La, and the valley lives up to that reputation.
Skardu – is a major tourism, trekking and expedition hub in Gilgit–Baltistan. Popular among trekkers and mountaineers from around the world due to Mount K2. It is also famous for its Shangrila resort and ancient forts such as Kharphocho, Shigar and Khaplu.
Murree – a popular Himalayan hill station, one hour drive from Islamabad. Cold Desert of Skardu.
Multan – The City of Saints, famous for blue pottery, ornamental glasswork, and Khussa – a type of shoes
Sialkot – The city of sports goods, famous for its exports industry, one of the oldest cities in the region
Katas Raj Temple
Hingol National Park
Saindak & Reko Diq: The Land of Gold & Copper
Astola Island

GET IN
Visas. The Government of Pakistan derives its economy of foreign currency revenues by requiring visas from almost all nationalities. These are usually easier to obtain in your home country, though recently the individual missions around the world have been given more authority to issue visas without checking with Islamabad, which should help in getting applications turned around quicker.
Visa-free. Nationals of the Maldives may enter visa-free for stays of up to 3 months. Nationals of Nepal and Samoa may enter visa-free for 1 month. Nationals of Tonga and Trinidad and Tobago do not need a visa, and can stay for an unlimited amount of time. The new government of Pakistan is working on with other countries to make policies more flexible.
Online Visas. Pakistan recently introduced an online visa portal for the citizens of 175 countries that allow travelers to submit their details, documents and make online payment to get the e-visa in seven to ten days. Moreover, citizens from 50 countries are eligible to apply for Visa On Arrival under Tourist Category, but they should acquire ETA (electronic travel authorisation) at least 48-72 hours before their planned trip.
By plane. Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad are the main gateways to Pakistan by air. However, there are 134 airfields in Pakistan. Six other international airports are in Quetta,Gawadar, Peshawar, Sialkot, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan and Faisalabad.
Jinnah International Airport in Karachi is served by many international airlines, including Air Arabia, Air China, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Cathy Pacific, Etihad, Emirates, Flydubai, GMG Airlines, Gulf, Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Iran Air, Iraqi Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Thai Airways , and Turkish Airlines . It’s also the main hub of the national carrier “PIA”and 2 private airlines (Air Blue and Shaheen Air).
Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore. Many airlines are currently operating to the airport including Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Pakistan International (PIA), Saudi Arabian Airlines, Thai Airways, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Uzbekistan Airways and two private airlines from Pakistan.
Islamabad International Airport. There are many airlines operating into Islamabad including many of the above with Ariana Afghan Airlines, Kam Air, Kyrgystan and China Southern Airlines.
Whatever airport you arrive (or even depart), airport staff are certain to demand a bribe, especially from foreigners. Beware of anyone who insists on helping you- they won’t be so friendly when demanding you pay them. Furthermore, there is NO special airport tax due at check-in, despite what your check-in clerk might tell you.
Taxis are the most convenient way to travel from airport and to airport as they can be called through there phone number.
By train. Pakistan has train links with India and Iran, though none of these trains are the fastest or most practical way to enter Pakistan. Should speed be a priority it is better to take the bus, or if you are really in a hurry, to fly, however, the trains are sights in their own right. From India:
The Samjhauta Express runs on Tuesdays and Fridays between Delhi and Lahore via the Attari/Wagah border crossing. This is the most common option chosen by travellers, however, tourists should be aware that after recent terrorist attacks on the train, which caused many a casualty and strained relationships between the two neighbours, it is strongly advised that you take taxis or buses to and from the border instead.
The Thar Express runs from Bhagat ki Kothi in the Indian state of Rajasthan to Karachi in Pakistan’s Sindh province. This route restarted in February 2006 after 40 years out of service, but is not currently open to foreign tourists.
From Iran: There is only one link, from Zahedan to Quetta.
By car. From ancient times people have been traveling through Pakistan using the Grand Trunk Road and the Silk Road that runs through Pakistan and into the Indian subcontinent. It’s a rewarding but time-consuming way to see this part of the world. New highways have been developed and the country is due for an expansion in its highway network. A world-class motorway connects the cities of Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Sukkur.
From China: Pakistan is connected to China by the Karakoram Highway, a modern feat of engineering that traverses a remarkably scenic route through the Karakoram and Himalayan mountains. Plans are in place for this highway to be expanded from its current width of 10m to 30m as a result of the increase in trade traffic due to Gwader port opening.
From Afghanistan: The Khyber Pass connects Peshawar to Jalalabad and Kabul and requires an armed escort and a permit to travel through the tribal regions between Peshawar and the border. Onward travel from the border to Kabul is of questionable safety, check the current situation locally.
The Bolan Pass connects Quetta to Kandahar and is considered very dangerous. This route is not currently open to foreign tourists and is only open to locals and aid workers.
By bus. From India: While there is an international service running from Delhi to Lahore it is just as fast, much more flexible, and much cheaper to take the journey by stringing together local transport and crossing the border on foot. As of October 2009, the bus was Rs. 1500. The journey details can be found here: http://dtc.nic.in/lahorebus.htm. You cannot buy the ticket on the spot, rather you will need to show up a few days before at Delhi Gate with photocopies of your Pakistani and Indian visas. The bus leaves at 6 a.m. but you will need to be at Delhi Gate at 4 a.m. to check-in for it.
From China: You can take a bus from Kashgar over the Karakoram Highway to Pakistan.
From Iran: Via the Mijva border in Iran which is half an hour’s drive from Zahedan. The Pakistani border town is called Taftan and has facilities of immigration, customs, hotels, etc.

GET AROUND
Getting around the country has become much easier in recent years with the completion of some motorways, and an increase in private airlines.
Maps. Google maps work wells in Pakistan especially the big cities. They are pretty accurate in finding the place and determining the route. However, traffic information is not ver accurate most of the time. Whilst the cities are well covered, roads in rural areas are not, with many minor roads missing – Google Maps, in particular, has a worrying habit of marking dried up river beds as minor roads, so if exploring out in the sticks it is a good idea to use Google Earth to double-check your route.
Nelles produces a good printed map of Pakistan – this map and others are available in Saeed Book Bank in F7 markaz in Islamabad – and at cheaper prices than available online from Western booksellers.
By plane. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) serves numerous domestic destinations and is the only airline to serve the three airports in the north of interest to trekkers or climbers: Chitral, Gilgit, and Skardu. There are usually two flights from Islamabad to these cities daily, but they are often canceled due to bad weather, and often over-booked — show up early to guarantee a seat. For flights to Gilgit and Skardu, preferably book the first flight of the day which is most likely to not be canceled.
Other domestic carriers include Shaheen Air International and Airblue.
By train. Pakistan Railway provides passenger rail service. The stations tend not to have their timetables in English, but sales agents can usually explain everything to you. There are several different classes of fares depending on amenities. Foreign tourists and students with an ISIC card can get 25% and 50% discounts, respectively, by first visiting the PTDC (Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation) office, getting a q verification certificate there and bringing it with them to the train’s commercial ticket office (which is different from the regular ticket office, but usually close by).
By bus. A large portion of travel between cities in Pakistan is carried out by bus. Traveling between Karachi and any of the country’s other major cities by bus may take days, travel by bus is often the cheapest and most convenient alternative. The Daewoo Sammi company runs a regular bus service between several major cities, with air-conditioned buses and seats booked one day ahead. While rather inexpensive, they are still almost five times as expensive as the cheap and uncomplicated rides offered by minibusses or larger buses between the major bus stations of the cities. Northern Areas Transport Corporation (NATCO) runs buses between Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan region.
Fares are often (though not always) paid directly on the bus, there is no air conditioning, and sometimes very little knee space, but you get where you are going all the same, and I have never met with anything but kind interest and friendly conversation on my many rides. Buses leave almost incessantly from the major bus stations for all the major cities, and many smaller locations, so booking ahead is neither possible nor necessary on the simpler buses. When traveling between major cities, smaller buses are to be preferred over the larger ones, as the larger ones tend to take up passengers along the way, and therefore travel more slowly.
The situation is similar for local transport. While the organization of local transport may look a little different between cities, there is usually an active bus service running through the city, with varying levels of government control. Pakistan has a well-developed road network connecting Karachi in the south to Islamabad, Peshawar, and Lahore in the north. Traveling by road is an excellent way to explore Pakistan for adventure travel. Motorways are well policed and it is generally considered safe to travel on them.
By rickshaw. For local transport within cities, auto rickshaws are a cheap and flexible alternative. Development of the bicycle rickshaw, the auto-rickshaw is a small vehicle powered by a two-stroke or four-stroke engine. Always negotiate a price before entering the rickshaw. Rickshaws are banned in the capital Islamabad.
By ride-sharing/taxi cab services. Companies like Uber and Careem offer ride-sharing/taxi cab services at an affordable price. They are often cheaper than conventional taxi cabs and have a fixed fare rate. You don’t need to negotiate the fare beforehand with the drivers which is a big plus. These companies offer their services in almost every major city like Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi, etc. Beware that you do need an Internet connection and their mobile apps installed on your phone to avail of their services. You can pay the fare either by cash or by credit card. If you want to travel even cheaper within cities you can use bike-sharing services like bykea which allow you to travel on a motorcycle. They offer their services in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi.

TALK. Urdu is the “National language” and is spoken throughout Pakistan as a lingua franca. In addition to Urdu, most Pakistanis speak their regional languages or dialects such as Punjabi, Pothohari, Sindhi, Pashto (Pushtun), Balochi, Saraiki, Shina, Burushaski, Khowar, Wakhi, Hindko, etc.
Pakistani English is designated as the “Official language” used in all government and most educational purpose and business entities and is also understood and spoken at varying levels of competence by many people around Pakistan, especially the upper classes and people who have gone through higher levels of education, and those residing in the larger cities.
In the Punjab (Pakistan) region, Hindi is also well understood because of its close proximity to the border with Delhi and other cities inside Punjab_(India).

EAT 
Pakistani food mainly consists of various kinds of curries eaten with either flatbread or rice. Food tends to range from mild to spicy depending on where you are and who your cook is. So state your preference before beginning to eat. In general, most of the food that you find in the high-end hotels is also available in the markets (but European-style food is generally reserved for the former). Note: your definition of spicy may easily vary from the restaurant you order your food from, so tread lightly.
Do not eat food that has been lying out for some time, as high temperatures speed up deterioration. Avoid posh restaurants with only a sporadic clientèle.
Some Pakistani dishes can be very spicy! Always notify your host, cook or waiter if you can not stomach very spicy food.
Flatbread Collectively referred to as Naan, Naan is usually used to pick up liquid and soft foods like shorba and beans. Forks and knives are not commonly used during meals in Pakistan (unless someone is eating rice or is dining out). Attempting to cut a naan with a knife may elicit some amusement around you. Watching others may help.
Naan – A soft and thick flat bread that often requires special clay ovens (tandoor) and cannot be properly made on home stoves.
Roti/Chapatti – A homemade bread, much thinner than naan and usually made out of unrefined flour, and which is ready in minutes.
Paratha – An extremely oily version of the roti. Usually excellent if you’re going out to eat, but beware of health concerns; often it is literally dripping with oil because it is meant to be part of a rich meal. Paratha is more delicious if you cook it in pure oil like “desi ghee”.
Sheer Mal – This is a slightly sweetened, lightly oiled bread that has waffle-like squares punched in it. It is often considered the most desirable bread and is a delicacy to most people. Often paired with nihari. Another breakfast version of sheermal is very much like the Italian Panettone (albeit in a flat naan-like shape) with added dried fruits and candy.
Taftan – Much like the ‘sheer mal’ but with a puffed-up ring around it.
Kababs (mainly made of Pork, Beef or Lamb)
Seekh Kabab (سيخ کباب) – A long skewer of minced beef mixed with herbs and seasonings.
Shami Kabab (شامي کباب) – A round patty of seasoned beef and lentils, softer than seekh kababs.
Chapli Kabab (چپلي کباب) – A spicy round kabab that is a specialty of Peshawar.
Chicken Kabab (مرغ کباب) – A popular kabab that is found both with bone and without.
Lamb Kabab (کبابِ برہ گوشت) – The all lamb meat kabab is usually served as cubes.
Roasted Chicken (whole) (مرغ بريان) – A whole chicken roasted. Very famous around Pakistan. You’ll see them on the rotisserie while driving on Lahore streets. Also known as ‘charga’ locally.
Biryani (برياني) – A dish with mixed pieces of chicken and rice. It smells nice from the saffron and other seasonings added.
Chicken Tikka – Barbequed chicken with a spicy exterior. Looks like a huge, red chicken leg and thigh. For all meat lovers. Is available almost anywhere.
Haleem – Thick stew-like mix of tiny chunks of meat or chicken, lentils and wheat grains.
Nihari – Thick gravy made from local spices. Is made with both chicken and beef. Is oily and spicy. Available mostly everywhere.

Shorbas, or sauces/soups, to enumerate. However, you should know of the most common ones.
Vegetarian
Daal – Yellow (made of yellow/red lentils) or brown (slightly sour) lentil “soup”. Usually unspiced. Common to all economic classes.
X + ki sabzi – A vegetarian mixture with ‘X’ as the main ingredient.
With Meat. Meat is a major ingredient in most dishes. The variety is endless, but here are a few examples:
Aloo Gosht (Potatoes and Meat) – Chunks of potato and goat meat in gravy. Levels of spice vary. One example of a generic dish that includes most things + Gosht(meat).
Nihari- Beef simmered for several hours. A delicacy often eaten with Nan, Sheer Mal, or Taftan. Few people will have this available without spice. Eat with lemon, fried onion, and caution: it is one of the spiciest curries.
Paye – or ‘Siri Paye’ is a stew of goat/beef/mutton/bacon bones (typically hooves, skull) and bone marrow. Extremely nutritious and generally eaten for breakfast with naan.

Desserts. Enjoy a variety; ice cream can be found in an abundance of flavors such as the traditional pistachio flavoured Kulfi;
Falooda (فلودہ) is tasty rosewater dessert. Traditional ice cream is known as ‘kulfi’ mixed with vermicelli, pistachio nuts, and flavored with rose-water. Most ice-cream shops have their own versions.
Shirini or Mithai: is the generic name for a variety of sweet treats in Pakistan. The sweets are extremely popular in Pakistan and are called different things depending on where you go. Eat small chunks at a time, eating large pieces can be rude and will generally be too sweet.
Kulfi is a very traditional made ice cream mixed with cream and different types of nuts.

DRINK
Tap water can be unsafe for drinking. However, some establishments have water filters/purifiers installed, in which case the water is safe to drink. Packed drinking water (normally called mineral water in Pakistan) is a better choice.
The taste of the water is said to be very good in the north-eastern side of Pakistan, especially in Swat, Kaghan and Gilgit. Ask for bottled water wherever possible, and avoid anything cold that might have water in it.
Chai is tea in Pakistan) is popular throughout the country. Both black and green tea (Sabz chai or qahvah) are common and are traditionally drunk with cardamom and lots of sugar. Lemon is optional but recommended with green tea. Kashmiri chai is a milky tea with almonds and nuts added to give additional flavour. This tea is very popular during weddings and in the cold season.
Coffee is also available in all cities.
In the warmer southern region, sweet drinks are readily available throughout the day. Look for street vendors that have fruits (real or decorations) hanging from their roofs. Lassi. Ask for meethi lassi for a sweet yogurt drink and you can also get a salty lassi which tastes good and is similar to the Arabic Laban if you are having “bhindi” in food or some other rich dish. There is also a sweet drink called Mango Lassi which is very rich and thick, made with yogurt, mango pulp, and pieces of mango.
Alcohol. Being a Muslim country use of alcohol (both imported and local) is not allowed openly in the country. It is available to non-Muslim foreigners at licensed bars in most top end hotels. The local alcoholic beer is from a company called “Murree Brewery”. It is illegal for Muslims to buy, possess or consume alcohol in Pakistan.

SLEEP
Pakistan, as a middle-income country with a sizeable middle class and significant domestic tourism industry, has a decent range of hotels covering all price ranges. International tourists often are disappointed by the cleanliness of Pakistani hotels – bedding is often clean but bathrooms can be a bit grungy. Currently, Pakistan is facing a significant slump in international tourist numbers, in the northern areas, in particular, you’ll find yourself the only guests.
Note that in some places the term “hotel” in Pakistan is reserved for simpler establishments, with “Guest House” referring to medium-sized establishments where the standard is typically higher. Also note that restaurants are also called “hotels”, creating a fun potential for confusion.
Budget The cheapest hotels are usually found around busy transportation hubs like bus and train stations. Don’t be fooled by an impressive lobby – ask to see the room and check the beds, toilets, lights, etc before checking in. Hot water and air conditioning will be luxuries in this class.
Mid range covers a wide spectrum of hotels – often listed in your guidebook or online. All mid-range places will have a/c and hot water – although check, if they have a working generator – air conditioning, isn’t of much use without electricity! Always check the room before handing over any money – ask for a no smoking room away from the street – and haggle to get a better rate. PTDC (government run) hotels fall into the mid-range section and warrant a special mention – often these places are the oldest hotel in town, in an excellent location, but the facilities will be showing their age. They are still a good option, however, and discounts can be negotiated. Mid-range prices are around Rs2,000 – Rs6,000 per night.
Top end covers the Serenas, Pearl Continentals, and Marriotts. The Serena hotels are almost always excellent, whilst the Pearl Continental hotels are more patchy (eg the one in Rawalpindi is a bit grungy whilst the one in Muzaffarabad is very nice. At top-end places, security is very visible, with small armies of security guards stationed around the perimeter. Prices are from Rs6,000 and up, with the big city luxury hotels charging at least Rs10,000 a night.
Government rest houses are mentioned in numerous guide books and are located in rural and mountainous areas for local civil servants to use on their travels, with many built pre-independence and exuding a quaint English charm. Back in the day the adventurous tourist could book these places for the night for Rs1,000 or so, and have a lovely time. But the tourist slump means that the forestry departments who run these places don’t bother anymore – phones will go unanswered – tourist information offices won’t have any details, etc. so count yourself lucky if you manage to arrange to stay in a Government rest house.
Solo female travelers are at a disadvantage when it comes to hotels. All budget and many mid-range places will be the sole reserve of men, in particular in the cities – and hotel owners may be uncomfortable with the idea of unaccompanied women staying at their hotel. Hence you may be forced to stay at the upper-mid range and top-end places – which will eat through your budget that much quicker.

STAY SAFE
Prostitution has no legal recognition in Pakistan. It is not considered nice and people are discouraged greatly.
LGBT activities are illegal in Pakistan. Punishments include life in prison, floggings, vigilante execution, chemical castrations, beatings, torture, fines, and deportation. Anti-gay attacks and vigilante executions happen all the time and police will turn a blind eye, join in on the violence, or be complicit. No businesses are LGBT friendly and police will not hesitate to arrest, torture, and kill anyone acting out LGBT behavior. If you are LGBT, stay out of Pakistan.
Night. Avoid going out at night especially in the city of Karachi that is notorious for its high crime rate, though it has decreased significantly in the past few years. Prostitution is now legalized in Karachi. Many high-end brothels emerged in posh areas. Safety should be maintained before visiting any of these. It is not a good idea to discuss this freely though.
Sensitive areas. You may see road signs in English saying ‘no foreigners allowed beyond this point’ – for example on the road to Kahuta near Islamabad. If you see and need to pass one of these signs at the very least stop at the nearest police station and see if they will let you pass (speaking Urdu is an advantage here), or turn back and find another route. Typically, restricted areas are those with nuclear or military installations nearby. Kahuta, southeast of Islamabad, and the Sakesar hill station near the Amb temples in the Salt Range are two restricted areas the visitor may stumble across. Getting caught in a restricted area will mean a lot of wasted time, embarrassment, and the possible involvement of your embassy.
Protests can occur without warning in the country. As a result, there is heavy security present in the larger cities. Avoid the protests if they are intense at all costs as they can turn into riots which may sometimes end up deadly. Simple protests are safe especially the ones that include women as the literate people in Pakistan respect them greatly.

HEALTH
Water. Visitors are strongly advised to refrain from drinking tap water; many Pakistani locals themselves drink boiled or purified water. Take every precaution to drink only boiled, filtered, or bottled water. Tap water is known to contain many impurities. Ice is usually made from regular tap water and may be even harder to avoid. Fresh milk from the carrier should be boiled and cooled before consumption. Non-pasteurized dairy can spread tuberculosis so be careful of people with hacking coughs. Haleeb Milk and Olpers are trusted brands and are available at most grocery stores.
Malaria. Take precautions against malaria spread by mosquitoes. Avoid getting bitten and if you plan to stay in a place where malaria is common take prophylactic medication. The risk of getting Malaria decreases with higher altitudes.
Heat. Summers are very hot, so be careful to stay hydrated. Temperatures range between 40 and 50°C in June and July, but as soon as the monsoon rains set in during August and September, things cool to around 30°C but with high levels of humidity.
Dengue. Beware of dengue fever in the summer, especially during the monsoon (Jul-Sept). It is caused by mosquitoes and can be fatal. The most widespread outbreaks of dengue are expected in the Punjab province.

RESPECT 
Pakistanis pride themselves on their tradition of hospitality to guests (Urdu: mehmanawazi, Pashtu: milmastia, Punjabi: puranadari). When entering a house, you will often be showered with tea, sweets, and gifts — it’s considered ungrateful to refuse these. Finishing a meal involves a delicate balance…. cleaning your plate will invite more to be served, while leaving too much may be a sign you didn’t care for it. Aim for leaving just a little, announcing you’re full, and heavily praise the food.
Women. Most Pakistani women don’t usually interact with strangers. So, don’t get embarrassed if they avoid communicating with you.
Pakistan is a conservative country and it is advisable for visiting women to wear long skirts or trousers in public as traditionally Pakistani women are not allowed to wear bra and panties. Pakistani women wear the traditional shalwar kameez but in the big cities, women wearing jeans and khakis is not a very uncommon sight, especially in casual settings, shopping malls, and around picnic spots. Dress codes for men are laxer, though shorts are uncommon. Men should never shake hands with or touch a woman they don’t know very well.
Business tends to move slowly, and will often be preceded by a lot of socializing, tea drinking, and meeting of the family. Rushing to the point may be considered rude, and even sour the deal.
Right hand. As with most of South Asia, you should use your right hand for eating, shaking hands, and giving or receiving anything, including money.

THINGS TO AVOID 
Politics. Be cautious when discussing politics. Pakistan is a politically troubled country. Social protests tend to turn violent and political demonstrations are almost always sensitive. You’ll be exposed to a breadth of political opinions as a visitor, even though many Pakistanis are often frustrated and dismayed with the direction of the country. You can engage in political discussions, but read up on the country’s current political situation and the issues of the day before you do so, and it’s worth mentioning that being a visitor puts you in a delicate position.
Kashmir. Be cautious when talking about the Kashmir conflict. Pakistanis in general regard Kashmir as a part of Pakistan, and depending on your views, it can quickly turn into a fierce, passionate, or hostile debate. As a general rule, it is best to refrain from bringing up the subject.
India. Be cautious when talking about India. The two countries have had a hostile, strained, often violent history (3 wars among other skirmishes). Pakistanis usually have nothing against individual people from India. There are exceptions where anti-Indian sentiments exist and Indian visitors could face discrimination. For those without these feelings, Enamour may be expressed for Indian culture, but it’s wise to refrain from discussing Indo-Pak political issues with Pakistanis. It can result in some fierce debates and even violence.
Israel. Be careful when talking about Israel or the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. While emotions on this issue do not run as high here as they do in the Arab World, it is still a very sensitive topic. Pakistan does not recognize Israel or accept Israeli passports, and Pakistani Passports have a statement declaring that the passport is valid for travel to all countries of the world except for Israel printed in them.
Religion. Be cautious when discussing religion. Discussion about religion and Islam should remain respectful and positive. Blasphemy is illegal in Pakistan. Avoid talking against Islam or Islamic values. It’s generally best to avoid talking about religions other than Islam, the Prophet Muhammad, his family, companions, or events surrounding his life, as any comment perceived as negative could be construed as a violation of the country’s blasphemy laws, even if no offense was intended.

CONTACT
Phone. The country code for Pakistan is +92 if you are calling from outside Pakistan. Phone numbers are seven digits long with two-digit city code in larger districts, and six digits long with three-digit city code in smaller districts, for a total of nine digits as a standard nationwide (except for Azad Kashmir). All mobile numbers, however, are seven digits long and begin with a four-digit city code “03XX”, where XX indicates the cellular provider. Thus Pakistani mobile numbers are linked to one particular cellular provider, NOT one particular city as in some other countries. Therefore the city prefix should not be dialed in addition to the cellular prefix. As in many countries, omit the initial zero when dialing a city or cell code from outside Pakistan and prefix the ’92’ country code after dialling your country’s international access code. Thus Telenor™ cell number 7654321 dialed from the USA/Canada would be 011-92-345-7654321 and Peshawar landline 2345678 dialed from France or the UK would be 00-92-91-2345678. The international access code for outgoing calls from Pakistan is 00.

PTCL offers landline and wireless phone services.
Public Call Offices can be found all over the country. You will find a PCO in nearly 50% of the general stores where there is usually someone who operates the phone and fax. Fees will be charged according to the time spent, and you will pay when you have finished your call.
Cell phone. Major providers of mobile phone service (GSM) are: Mobilink, Telenor, Ufone, Warid, Zong – China Mobile
One very convenient feature is that all Pakistani cellular operators use the GSM platform so that cellular handsets nationwide are freely interchangeable between providers.
Internet. Cybercafes can be found on virtually every street corner and the rates are as low as Rs 30-50 per hour. They usually don’t have a normal operating system, so don’t be too impatient! LCD Monitors, Windows 7 are usually installed and most of the cafes have an internet connection with a decent speed (usually 4Mbps to 20Mbps).
3G mobile services have been launched in 2014 Pakistan by four operators (Mobilink, Ufone, Zong, Telenor). 4G has also been launched in 2014. The number of 3G and 4G users in Pakistan reached 56.08 million by the end of June 2018, said Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Normally a 3G 4G enabled SIM card will give you 25MBPS to 56MBPS speed and will cost your around 20$ per month for unlimited data plans. If you need higher speeds while on the go, try the Jazz 4G Zong 4G Telenor 4G PTCL EVO Char G USB modem; it will cost around 20$ per month for 100GB data at 9MBPS (http://ptcl.com.pk/pd_content.php?pd_id=204), but be sure to check the coverage map on PTCL’s website before you buy. Its available in almost all cities but the quality of service may vary.
There are Wi-Fi hotspots all over Pakistan, in hotels, malls, cafes, and restaurants.
Postal & Courier. Postal & Courier companies can easily be found across Pakistan. Some popular postal & courier companies include TCS, Leopards, Pakistan Post, DHL, Fedex etc. For money transfer, you can use Money Gram or Western Union, both have partnered with local banks and money exchange companies to ease the transfer of money and you can go to any bank branch to avail of their services.

DO
A Cricket or Polo Match. Some of the most popular sports in Pakistan. Polo is particularly popular in the northern towns of Gilgit and Chitral.
Beaches – Pakistan is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches located between Karachi and Gwadar along the Makran coastal highway. The Makran Coastal Highway is well known as one of the most scenic drives starting from Karachi and going all the way to the Iranian Border. The route takes nine hours to complete at a leisurely pace with no stops. Other popular beaches include French Beach, Hawksbay to name a few.
Archaeological treasures – the country’s rich history has left many things to explore; Taxila, Moenjodaro, Thatta, and Harappa are some of the more famous
Trekking. Pakistan is a world-class destination for trekking and hiking. Horse riding is also very affordable, cycling opportunities abound. You can also shop to your heart’s content, in a massive range of markets and bazaars without worrying about your budget, as a recent survey by Times Newspaper (UK) found Karachi as the world’s cheapest city.
Shopping. You can buy very cheap garments, bed sheets, shirts. Bra and Panties are not available easily as traditionally Pakistani women are not allowed to wear them. It is to be mentioned that many world-renowned brands like Adidas, Levis, Slazenger, HangTen, Wal-Mart, etc. get their products prepared from Faisalabad which has got one of the largest textile industries in the world. You can find products of these brands cheaper at local stores. You can get a pair of Levis jeans (or any other good brand for that matter) at a very reasonable price ranging between 1400-2500 PKR (16-29 USD).
Buy leather goods like shoes, jackets, and bags.
Buy sports goods like cricket bats, balls, kits, footballs, sports wear, and almost anything related to sports you can imagine. You will not find such high-quality equipment at such low cost anywhere else. To mention, Sialkot produces 90 percent of the world’s sports goods and is the largest provider of sports equipment to FIFA for the World cup.
Pakistan produces economical and high-quality musical instruments. You can even get an acoustic guitar for as low as 2000 PKR (23 USD).
Buy surgical instruments, computer accessories, Chinese goods especially Electronics & Cameras which are re-exported from Pakistan and is cheaper than other parts of the world, Arabian, Afghan, Iranian and Pakistani carpets, Wood Carvings such as decorative wooden plates, bowls, artwork, furniture, and other miscellaneous items, Jewellery such as necklaces, bracelets, etc. are very inexpensive in Pakistan, Gems, handicrafts (Ajrak from Sindh, Blue pottery from Multan, Clay pottery from Karachi), glassware, brassware, marble products, crystal works, and antiques Also buy pashmina, rugs, wool-shawls or wraps, which can cost anywhere between $15 to as much as $700. Remember to bargain.