Social Conventions:
The Pakistani way of life is leisurely, and old-fashioned politeness is essential. Warm hospitality is the norm. The country has a deeply individual national character, although each province has its own traditions and folklore. Smoking is prohibited in some public places and it is polite to ask permission before lighting a cigarette.
It is common for visiting businesspeople to be entertained in hotels and restaurants. If invited to a private home, a gift or national souvenir is welcome. Informal dress is acceptable for most occasions. Women should avoid wearing tight clothing and should ensure that their arms and legs are covered. Pakistani society is divided into classes and within each group there is a subtle social grading.
The right hand is used both for shaking hands (the usual form of greeting) and for passing or receiving things. Mutual hospitality and courtesy are of great importance at all levels, whatever the social standing of the host. Visitors must remember that most Pakistanis are Muslim and should respect their customs and beliefs.
When to Where
In winter, November to March, Southern Pakistan ( Sind, Baluchistan, Punjab and southern NWFP) is best visited because temperature is pleasantly cooler. In summer temperature is extremely hot in most parts of southern plain of Pakistan and traveling around is hard work. While Northern Pakistan ( Northern Area, Northern NWFP, Kashmir and northern Part of Punjab is best visited in summer( April to October). During winter mountainous North is mostly snow bound and accessibility is not easy.
Trekking season in Northern Areas and NWFP is June to September.
Tipping
Most high-class hotels and restaurants add a 10 per cent service charge. Other tipping is discretionary.
International Travel:
Note
All travel to Waziristan is advised against. It is advised that nationals only undertake essential travel to northern and western Baluchistan and the Sui area, western North West Frontier Province (NWFP), the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas and Agencies (FATA), and border areas except for official crossing points.
Air
Pakistan International Airline covers 33 International and 21 domestic stations. More than 25 airlines fly to Pakistan from over 40 countries. Most of the flights arrive at Karachi, but PIA, British Airways, Saudia Air line and China Xinjiang Airlines fly direct to the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. PIA, Indian Airlines, Saudia and Thai Airways fly direct to Lahore. Pakistan International (PIA) has direct flights from the main Mediterranean and European cities, as well as New York, Toronto and Nairobi. It also runs a Far East Network from Tokyo, Beijing, Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. PIA have also flights to Tashkent and Almaty from Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi while another Pakistani airlines, Aero Asia has a weekly flight between Karachi and Bishkek.
Pakistan’s Major Airports:
Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi are the main gateways to Pakistan by air. However, there are many other airports in Pakistan that have international flights as well to the Gulf and Far East. Two other international airports are in Peshawar and Quetta.
Quaid-e-Azam International Airport in Karachi is served by many international airlines, including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Swiss, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and PIA. It is 15km (10 miles) northeast of the city (travel time – 30-45 minutes). Coaches to the city run every 25 minutes. A bus runs from dusk to dawn every 15 minutes. Taxi services to the city are available. Good airport facilities exist 24 hours, including duty free shops, restaurant, post office, bank and shops.
Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore has been completely renovated with a new terminal for international arrivals and departures. Many airlines are currently operating to the airport including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Singapore Airlines, Pakistan International (PIA), Saudi Arabian Airlines, Thai Airways, Kuwait Airways and over four private airlines from Pakistan. It is 18km (5 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 20 minutes). Coaches and buses leave regularly for the city. Taxi services to the city are also available. Airport facilities include car hire, bank, restaurant and shops.
Islamabad International Airport is currently in review to be expanded and modernized to meet the needs of the future passenger numbers as demand for air travel has increased dramatically. There are many airlines operating into Islamabad including many of the above with British Airways as well. It is 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 20 minutes). Coach and taxi services to the city are available. There are full duty free facilities.
Domestic Airports:
Skardu, Gilgit, Mingora, Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar and Gowadar
Airlines
Approximate flight times:
From Karachi to London is seven hours 40 minutes, to Los Angeles is 22 hours 30 minutes, to New York is 21 hours 40 minutes, to Riyadh is three hours 35 minutes and to Singapore is seven hours 15 minutes.
Departure tax
PRs800 for international passengers traveling first class, PRs600 for business class and PRs400 for economy class. Transit passengers and children under two years of age are exempt.
Pakistan Travel Tips
Sea
Major Seaports
Domestic: Minora, Gwadar and Pasni.
International: Karachi and Bin Qasim.
The major port is Karachi (Kemari). It is both Afghanistan’s and Pakistan’s port for goods, together with Port Qasim.
Duty Free
The following items may be imported into Pakistan without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 8oz of tobacco; 250ml of perfume and eau de toilette (opened); gifts up to a value of PRs2000.*
Note: * Residents under 18 years old are not allowed any free import.
Major Seaports
Domestic: Minora, Gwadar and Pasni.
International: Karachi and Bin Qasim.
The major port is Karachi (Kemari). It is both Afghanistan’s and Pakistan’s port for goods, together with Port Qasim.
Duty Free
The following items may be imported into Pakistan without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 8oz of tobacco; 250ml of perfume and eau de toilette (opened); gifts up to a value of PRs2000.*
Note: * Residents under 18 years old are not allowed any free import.
Major Seaports
Domestic: Minora, Gwadar and Pasni.
International: Karachi and Bin Qasim.
The major port is Karachi (Kemari). It is both Afghanistan’s and Pakistan’s port for goods, together with Port Qasim.
Duty Free
The following items may be imported into Pakistan without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 8oz of tobacco; 250ml of perfume and eau de toilette (opened); gifts up to a value of PRs2000.*
Note: * Residents under 18 years old are not allowed any free import.
Prohibited items
The import of alcohol, matches, plants, fruit and vegetables is prohibited. The export of antiques is prohibited.
Internal Travel:
Air
Most domestic services are operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PK). Other airlines are Aero Asia, Air Blue,Shaheen and Bhoja Air. There are many daily flights between Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar and Quetta. Air transport is the quickest and most efficient means of travel.
River:
Traffic along the Indus River is almost exclusively commercial. Many goods are carried to Punjab and the north from the main port at Karachi.
Rail:
Much of Pakistan’s extensive rail network is a legacy of British rule. The main line, from Karachi to Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar, has several daytime and overnight trains. Most other routes have several daily trains. Even first-class compartments can be hot and crowded. Travel in air conditioned coaches is advised, as are reservations on long-distance journeys and overnight service. Children under three years of age travel free. Children aged three to 11 years pay half fare. Pakistan Railways offer concessions for tourists (on presentation of a certificate issued by PTDC), excluding Indian nationals traveling by rail. A discount of 25 per cent is offered to individuals and groups, and 50 per cent for students. Details are available from railway offices in Pakistan. For more information contact Pakistan Railways
Approximate rail times:
Karachi to Lahore is 16 hours, to Rawalpindi is 28 hours and to Peshawar is 32 hours; and Lahore to Rawalpindi is five hours.
Road:
Traffic drives on the left. The highway network between cities is well-maintained. Bus: Regular services run between most towns and villages. Lahore–Rawalpindi–Peshawar has an hourly service. Air-conditioned coaches/buses are recommended for long distances. Advance booking is advised. Car hire: Available in major cities, as well as at Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi airports. Most hotels can book cars for guests. Documentation: An International Driving Permit or own national license is required.
Urban:
Extensive bus and minibus services operate in Lahore, Karachi and other towns, although services can be crowded. Taxi: Reasonably priced and widely available, they are by far the most efficient means of urban travel. Note that they may not operate after sunset during Ramadan. Auto-rickshaws are also available.
Pakistan Travel Tips
ROAD : From China : The Khunjerab Pass is open between 1 May – 31 October for groups and until 15 November for individual tourists. Customs and Immigration posts are open daily from 0830-1100 for outgoing tourists and until 1600 for incoming tourists. Transport includes buses, vans and four-wheel-drive vehicles. Travel time from Sost to Taxkurgan (China) is 05 hours (220 kms). The Chinese border post, Taxkurgan is open 12:00 noon to 14:00 (Beijing Time) for outgoing tourists and up to 19:00 for incoming travelers. Daily PTDC (Pakistan Tourism Dev. Corp.) and NATCO (Northern Areas Transport Corp.) run buses, vans, and jeeps from Sost to Taxkurgan and one-way fare is fixed at US$ 23 per person or equivalent in Pak. rupees.
From India : Wagha is the only land border open between Pakistan and India (Lahore – Amritsar route). The border post is open daily 0830-1430 from 16 April to 15 October, and 0900-1500 from 16 April to 15 October. A minibus runs from Lahore railway station to Wagha and there are also taxis available (travel time – 30 minutes). Minibus No.12 leaves from outside Lahore Railway Station for Wagha every 15 minutes, costs approx US$ 0.20 per person. Taxi shall charge around US$ 8 for this half an hour journey.
The Lahore-Delhi (Samjhota Express) train leaves Lahore at 11:00 hrs on Mondays and Thursdays. Check-in time at Lahore Railway Station is 08:00 hrs. First Class fare to Delhi is approx. US$ 10, Economy Class is US$ 3 whereas Lahore Amritsar First Class is US$ 2 and Economy Class is US$ 1 per person.
From Afghanistan: travel is possible via the Quetta – Chaman – Kandhar route and Peshawar – Torkham – Jalalabad route. The border is open from 0900-1300 and 1400-1700. Several buses and coaches leave daily from Peshawar to Jalalabad (travel time – 10 hours).
From Iran : Travel is only possible via the Quetta – Taftan – Zahedan route. The border is open from 0900-1300 and 1400-1700. Several buses and coaches leave daily from Quetta to Taftan (travel time – 18 hours). There is also a road from Kabul, Afghanistan to Peshawar. Approximate fare is around US$ 08 per person on coach and US$ 07 per person on bus. There is a weekly express train from Zahidan to Quetta (via Taftan – 27 hours). Economy Class fare with berth is approximately around US$ 10 and First Class Sleeper is US$ 13 per person. Another Passenger (slower) train leaves Taftan every Thursday for Quetta.
