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Pakistan
Overview
Country Overview
Pakistan has borders with Afghanistan, India, Iran and the Arabian Sea. The terrain varies from rugged and mountainous to flat, alluvial plains. Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, is situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea near the mouth of the Indus. The streets are lively with hundreds of street restaurants, teahouses, samosa and juice stalls. Boats can be hired to sail out of the harbour. Lahore, in the Punjab, is a historic, bustling city with buildings of pink and white marble. There is plenty to see: bazaars, the Badshahi Mosque – one of the largest mosques in the world and an example of Moghul architecture rivalled only by the Taj Mahal. Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan since 1963, and Rawalpindi, are both located on the Pothowar Plain. The old part of the town boasts fine examples of local architecture and the narrow streets are crammed with bazaars where craftsmen are still using traditional methods. The Kashmir province has some of the highest mountains in the world including the famous Nanga Parbat and second highest mountain in the world, K2. Pakistani cuisine is based on curry or masala (hot and spicy) sauces accompanying chicken, mutton, shrimps and a wide choice of vegetables. Cultural programmes of traditional music and dance can be seen and the Pakistani Arts Academy performs at various times during the year.
General Information
Area: 796,095 sq km (307,374 sq miles) excluding data for the disputed territories of Jammu and Kashmir.
Population: 137,510,000 (official estimate 2000).
Population Density: 172.7 per sq km.
Capital: Islamabad. Population: 799,000 (1998).
GEOGRAPHY: Pakistan has borders to the north with Afghanistan, to the east with India and to the west with Iran; the Arabian Sea lies to the south. In the northeast is the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir, bounded by Afghanistan, China and India. Pakistan comprises distinct regions. The northern highlands – the Hindu Kush – are rugged and mountainous; the Indus Valley is a flat, alluvial plain with five major rivers dominating the upper region, eventually joining the Indus River and flowing south to the Makran coast; Sindh is bounded on the east by the Thar Desert and the Rann of Kutch, and on the west by the Kirthar Range; the Baluchistan Plateau is an arid tableland encircled by mountains.
Government: Federal Islamic Republic since 1973. Gained independence from the UK in 1947. Head of State: General Pervez Musharraf since 2001. Head of Government: Following a military coup in October 1999, General Pervez Musharraf took over as the leader of the new military regime. Prime Minister: Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali since 2002.
Language: Urdu is the national language. English is widely spoken. Regional languages include Punjabi, which is spoken by 48 per cent of the population (1981), Pushto, Sindhi, Saraiki, and Baluchi. There are numerous local dialects.
Religion: Ninety-seven per cent Muslim, the remainder are Hindu or Christian.
Time: GMT + 5.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two- or three-pin plugs are in use.
Communications:
Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 92. Outgoing international code: 00.
Mobile Telephone
GSM 900 networks available. Main network providers include Mobilink (website: www.mobilinkgsm.com), and from January 2001, Pak Telecom. Coverage is largely limited to main cities.
Fax
Services are operated by the Pakistan telephone and telegraph department.
Internet
Main ISPs include Pakistan Online (website: www.pol.com.pk), and Pak Net (website: www.paknet.com.pk). Internet cafes exist in main urban areas.
Telegram
There are services at post offices, telegraph offices and main hotels. The Central Telegraph Offices provide a 24-hour service.
Post
Airmail takes four to five days to reach Western Europe. There are poste restante facilities in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. General post offices in major cities offer 24-hour services. Important letters should be registered or insured.
Press
The English-language press enjoys a great deal of influence in business circles. Dailies include The Financial Post, The Leader, The Pakistan Observer, The Pakistan Times, The Star, The Nation, The News, The Frontier Post, The Muslim, The Business Recorder and Dawn.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice):
Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov):
Passport/Visa
| | Passport Required? | Visa Required? | Return Ticket Required? | | British | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Australian | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Canadian | Yes | Yes | Yes | | USA | Yes | Yes | Yes | | OtherEU | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Japanese | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Note: Travellers are currently advised against travel to Pakistan until further notice unless there are compelling reasons to do so. Travel to the North West Frontier Province, Baluchistan and the Northern Areas are particularly ill advised.
Restricted entry and transit: The Government of Pakistan refuses entry to nationals of Israel, even for transit. Nationals of Afghanistan are refused entry if their passports or tickets show evidence of transit or boarding in India.
PASSPORTS: Passport valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay required by all.
VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) holders of a Pakistan Origin Card (POC) regardless of nationality for unlimited stay;
(b) nationals of Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago for an unlimited period;
(c) nationals of Iceland, Maldives and Zambia for visits of up to a maximum of three months;
(d) nationals of Nepal and Samoa, and holders of Chinese passports issued in Hong Kong, for visits of up to 30 days;
(e) transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided they are holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport;
(f) holders of UN Laissez-passer.
Note: Visitors whose stay in Pakistan exceeds 30 days must report to the nearest Foreigners Registration Office for registration.
Types of visa and cost: Price of visa varies according to nationality. For UK nationals, prices are: Single-entry (£45); Double-entry (£60); Multiple-entry (£81). For Pakistanis holding dual nationality, prices are: Adult: (£24) Child (12-18 years old): £12; valid for stays of up to one year. Certain nationals are issued visas free of charge, but they must be obtained prior to travel. For further information, consult the High Commission or Embassy.
Validity: Six months from the date of issue for stays of up to three months. A Multiple-entry visa allows six journeys in a total period not exceeding one year, with a maximum three-month stay at any one time.
Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy or High Commission); see Contact Addresses section.
Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) One application form. (c) Two passport-size photos. (d) Confirmed return/onward ticket. (e) Proof of sufficient funds for duration of stay. (f) Fee payable by cash or postal order only. (g) For business trips, a letter of invitation from a company in Pakistan.
Working days required: Depends on nationality (in UK, visas are normally granted within 24-48 hours). Enquire at the nearest Consulate or Embassy.
Money
Currency: Pakistani Rupee (PRe, singular; PRs, plural) = 100 paisa. Notes are in denominations of PRs1000, 500, 100, 50, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of PRs2 and 1, and 50 and 25 paisa.
Credit & debit cards: American Express is the most widely accepted card. MasterCard and Visa are also good, but Diners Club and other cards have more limited use. Check with your credit, or debit, card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers cheques: Generally accepted at most banks, 4- and 5-star hotels and major shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is limited to PRs100 in denominations of PRs10 or less (the import of banknotes in denominations of PRs50 and PRs100 or more is prohibited). The import and export of foreign currency are unlimited. Up to Prs500 may be reconverted into foreign currency, provided official exchange receipts are shown.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Pakistani Rupee against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| Date | May ’02 | Aug ’02 | Nov ’02 | Feb ’03 | | £1.00= | 87.57 | 90.53 | 92.54 | 92.51 | | $1.00= | 60.09 | 59.52 | 58.52 | 58.10 |
Banking hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1330, Fri 0900-1230.
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.
Public Holidays
Dec 6-8 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramandan). Dec 25 Quaid-e-Azam’s Birthday. Feb 12 2003 Eid ul-Azha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 14 Ashoura. Mar 23 Pakistan Day. May 14 Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). Aug 14 Independence Day. Nov 9 Allama Muhammad Iqbal Day. Nov 26-28 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramandan). Dec 25 Quaid-e-Azam’s Birthday. Feb 2 2004 Eid ul-Azha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 2 Ashoura. Mar 23 Pakistan Day. May 2 Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). Aug 14 Independence Day. Nov 9 Allama Muhammad Iqbal Day. Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramandan). Dec 25 Quaid-e-Azam’s Birthday.
Note: (a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Most restaurants are closed during the day and there is a restriction on smoking and drinking in public places. Eid al-Fitr and Eid ul-Azha may last from two to four days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix. (b) Christian holidays are observed by the Christian community only.
Health
| | Special Precautions | Certificate Required | | Yellow Fever | No | 1 | | Cholera | 2 | No | | Typhoid and Polio | 3 | N/A | | Malaria | 4 | N/A |
1: Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of all travellers coming from any part of a country in which yellow fever is endemic. Infants under six 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 chloroquine-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 unpasteurised 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 unboiled 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.
Health care: Medical facilities can be very limited. There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Travellers are strongly advised to take out full medical insurance before departure.
Note: A certificate proving the visitor to be HIV-negative is required if planning on staying over one year in the country.
Travel - International
Note: Non-essential travel to Pakistan is advised against, to northern areas, the North West Frontier Province and Baluchistan in particular. People of non-Pakistani origin are at greater risk. For further advice visitors should contact their local government travel advice department.
AIR: Pakistan’s national airline is Pakistan International Airlines (PK), linking Pakistan with 47 destinations around the world. Other airlines serving Pakistan include British Airways, Saudia Airlines, China Xinjiang Airlines and Thai Airways.
Approximate flight times: From Karachi to London is 7 hours 40 minutes, to Los Angeles is 22 hours 30 minutes, to New York is 21 hours 40 minutes, to Riyadh is 3 hours 35 minutes and to Singapore is 7 hours 15 minutes.
International airports: Karachi (KHI) (Quaid-e-Azam) 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.
Lahore (LHE), 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 (ISB) (Islamabad International) 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.
Peshawar (PEW), 4km (2.5 miles) from the city (travel time – 10 minutes). Full bus and taxi services to the city are available.
Departure tax: PRs800 for international passengers travelling first class, PRs600 for business class and PRs400 for economy class. Transit passengers and children under two years of age are exempt.
SEA: The major port is Karachi (Kemari). It is both Pakistan’s and Afghanistan’s port for goods, together with Port Qasim. No passenger boats or ships for the general public sail to or from Pakistan at present.
RAIL: The Lahore–Delhi Samjhota Express leaves Lahore on Mondays and Thursdays. A rail link extends from Quetta (via the border crossing at Taftan) to Zahedan, Iran; the express train (travel time – 27 hours) runs weekly from Quetta, as does the passenger train, which only travels as far as Taftan.
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.
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).
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.
Note: Visitors exiting Pakistan by land routes are subject to a road toll. Travel to the federally administered tribal areas and the border areas with Afghanistan is not recommended. For further information visitors should seek official advice.
Travel - Internal
Note: Travel to Sindh province and North West Frontier Province, Punjab and Bulchistan should be undertaken with caution. Consult the national foreign affairs department or consulate before departure (see the Contact Addresses section).
AIR: Most domestic services are operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PK). Other airlines are Aero Asia and Bhoja Air. There are many daily flights between Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Multan, Islamabad and Peshawar. Air transport is the quickest and most efficient means of travel.
Departure tax: PRs40 for internal flights. Children under two years are exempt.
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-11 years pay half fare. Pakistan Railways offer concessions for tourists (on presentation of a certificate issued by PTDC), excluding Indian nationals travelling 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.
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 5 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.
Accommodation
HOTELS: Pakistan offers a wide range of accommodation. Modern well-equipped hotels are to be found in most major towns and offer excellent facilities such as swimming pools and sports facilities. There are also cottages, Dak bungalows and rest houses in all principal hill stations and health resorts. A government room tax of up to 17.5 per cent is added to the cost of accommodation. In all cases it is advisable to book well in advance and check reservations. For further information contact the Pakistan Hotels Association, Suite 1, Ground Floor, Shafi Court, Merewether Road, Civil Lines, PO Box 7448, Karachi 4 (tel/fax: (21) 568 6407).
PTDC HOTELS & MOTELS: The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) operates two hotels, Faletti’s at Lahore and Flashman’s at Rawalpindi. PTDC also runs well-furnished and moderately priced motels at Ayubia, Balakot, Bahawalpur, Bamburet, Barseen (Karakoram Highway), Besham, Chitral, Gilgit, Gupis, Hunza, Kalam, Khaplu, Malam Jabba Ski & Summer Resort,Miandam, Moenjodaro, Naran, Panah Kot (Dir), Saidu Sharif, Satpara, Sost (Pakistan-China border), Skardu, Taftan (Pakistan-Iran border), Taxila, Wagha (Pakistan-India border) and Ziarat. For bookings, please contact PTDC Motels Reservation Office, Block B-4, Markaz F-7, Bhitai Road, Islamabad 44000 (tel: (51) 920 3223; fax: (51) 921 8233; e-mail: tourism@comsats.net.pk).
PAKISTAN TOURS LTD (PVT): a subsidiary of PTDC, operates tours and provides ground handling facilities for domestic and foreign tourists throughout Pakistan. Its Head Office is located in Room 17, Flashman’s Hotel, The Mall, Rawalpindi (tel: (51) 556 3038 or 556 5449; fax: (51) 551 3054; e-mail: ptl@isbcomsats.net.pk).
YOUTH HOSTELS: The Pakistan Youth Hostel Association has 14 hostels throughout the country, available to members of the affiliated International Youth Hostel Federation and young people. Details can be obtained from the Pakistan Youth Hostel Association, Shaheed-e Millat Road, Aabpara, Sector G-6/4, Islamabad (tel: (51) 282 6899; fax: (51) 282 4520; email: pyha@comsats.net.pk).
Introduction
KARACHI: Pakistan’s former capital and its largest city, Karachi is situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea near the mouth of the Indus. The capital of Sindh Province, it is now a modern industrial city and Pakistan’s major port. Though not strictly a tourist centre, there are a number of attractions, such as the fish wharf where brightly-coloured boats bring in seafood, one of the country’s major foreign exchange earners. There are hundreds of lively street restaurants, tea houses, samosa and juice stalls. Boats can be hired to sail out of the harbour. There are architectural reminders of the former British Imperial presence, especially in the clubs. The most magnificent building, however, is the Quaid-e-Azam’s Mazar, the mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan, made entirely of white marble with impressive north African arches and magnificent Chinese crystal chandeliers. The changing of the guard, which takes place three times a day, is the best time to visit. Other places to visit are the National Museum, parks, the zoo and a beach at Clifton.
SINDH: A region known for the remarkable quality of its light, Sindh has two main places of interest: Mohenjodaro, a settlement dating back 5000 years, and Thatta, notable for its mausoleums and mosques. There are sporting facilities on Lake Haleji.
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan since 1963, and Rawalpindi are both located on the Pothowar Plain. The decision to build a new capital city in this area transformed the sleepy town of Rawalpindi into a busy counterpart to Islamabad. Rawalpindi now houses many of the civil servants working in the government district. The old part of the town boasts fine examples of local architecture and bazaars crammed into the narrow streets where craftsmen still use traditional methods.
As a planned capital, Islamabad lacks some of the regional flair of other cities, but it houses an interesting variety of modern buildings in the part designated for government offices. The city itself has an air of spaciousness, with parks, gardens and fountains below the silhouette of the Margalla Hills. In the midst of these lies Daman-e-Koh, a terraced garden with an excellent view over the city. Also in Islamabad is the Shah Faisal Masjid (mosque) which can accommodate 100,000 worshippers. The majestic white building comprises four 88m (288ft) minarets and a desert tent-like structure, which is the main prayer chamber.
Excursions: About 8km (5 miles) from the city is Rawal Lake with an abundance of leisure facilities for watersports and a picnic area.
THE PUNJAB: Lahore is an historic, bustling city with buildings of pink and white marble. There is plenty to see: bazaars, the Badshahi Mosque (one of the largest mosques in the world, and an example of Moghul architecture rivalled only by the Taj Mahal), the beautiful Shalimar Gardens, the National Museum of Archaeology and the Gate of Chauburji. Near Taxila are two interesting excavated sites, Sirkap and Jaulian, dating back to the Buddhist Gandhara period. Other towns in the Punjab include Faisalabad (formerly Lyallpur), Attock, Harappa, Multan and Bahawalpur.
KASHMIR: Some of the highest mountains in the world can be found in this province, such as the famous Nanga Parbat and the second highest mountain in the world, K2, also known as Mount Godwin-Austen. The Baltoro Glacier and the Batura Glacier are the largest outside the polar regions. The settlements of Gilgit and Skardu are well-known stop-offs on the mountaineering trail.
THE KARAKORUM HIGHWAY: In the 1960 and 1970s the Pakistan and Chinese authorities jointly built an asphalt road between Rawalpindi and Islamabad (Pakistan) and Kashgar (Xinjiang province in China). This unique highway follows the ancient silk road (see China section) over a breathtaking knot of mountain ranges that incorporates the Karakorum, Pamir, Kunlun, Hindukush, and Himalaya mountains. The trail runs along the Indus River and to the beautiful Gilgit and Hunza valleys. Today the highway is popular with tourists wishing to cycle or trek its length but is still used by hajis (Muslims making a pilgrimage to Mecca). The main attractions of the route are undoubtedly its challenging geography, unusual yet spectacular scenery and hospitable local ethnic groups. The best time to travel here is between September and October, and due to its demanding altitude and difficult terrain it should be undertaken with an organised tour group or travel agent. For further information contact the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (see Contact Addresses section).
NORTH WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE: The capital of the North West Frontier Province, Peshawar, is surrounded by high walls with 20 entry gates. This is the area of the Pashtuns, or Pathans, as they have come to be known in more recent times. The lawns and parks reflect the former colonial days. 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. Many of the tribesmen carry firearms, the normal adornment for a Pathan warrior. In the land of the Afridis is the Khyber Pass, the 1067m-high (3501ft) break in the sheer rock wall separating Pakistan and Afghanistan. North of Peshawar, in the Hindu Kush Mountains, is the wild and beautiful area of Chitral, inhabited by the Kalash people, last of the non-Islamic tribes of Kafiristan. This valley is noted for its hot springs and trout-filled rivers. East of Chitral is the beautiful Swat Valley. This is an area (average height 975m) of wild mountains and fantastic alpine scenery. It was, in ancient times, the home of the famous Gandhara school of sculpture, a manifestation of Greek-influenced Buddhist forms. The ruins of great Buddhist stupas, monasteries and statues are found all over Swat. It is now the home to the Swat Pathans and also boasts popular mountain retreats such as Mingora, Kalam, Miandam and Behrain, with Saidu Sharif its principle town.
Sport & Activities
Watersports: In addition to the beaches, swimming pools can be found in various clubs in large towns and in major hotels. Kemari sail or motorboats can be hired at a previously agreed price. Deep-sea night fishing is also available and there are a number of freshwater lakes offering good fishing facilities. For permits, enquire at the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (see Contact Addresses section). Whitewater rafting and canoeing are increasingly popular on the rivers of the north of the country.
Trekking: Pakistan contains five of the world’s highest peaks and several of the world’s largest glaciers. The northern areas are the most popular for trekking, with Gilgit and Skardu being good starting points for trips. The Karakorum Highway is also a popular hiking route (see Resorts & Excursions section). Trekking areas have been divided into ‘open’ and ‘restricted’ zones by the Government. Permits are not required for the open zone, but are necessary if the visitor intends to go to the restricted zone (parts of Chitral, Hunza and Baltistan, including the K2 base camp). They are usually issued within 24 hours. Visitors should check with the authorities before visiting remote areas, as advance permission is sometimes required. In addition, it is wise to consult the travel advice of foreign governments just prior to travel, as political tensions can lead to violence, especially in Kashmir.
Golf: Clubs are located in the large cities and visitors are generally allowed to play a course if introduced by a member or if they acquire a temporary membership.
Tennis: Clubs in the large cities have courts and visitors must be introduced by a member or can often obtain temporary membership through the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation.
Other: Hockey is Pakistan’s national sport; however, it is easily surpassed in popularity by cricket, which can be watched in most major towns at many different levels. Football is fast becoming popular and regular matches can be seen in the stadium at Karachi and at other sports fields all over the country. Polo matches can be seen in major cities and most notably in the northern towns of Gilgit and Chitral. Horse-racing takes place in winter in Karachi and Lahore. There is also a ski resort at Malam Jabba in the Karakoram range.
Social Profile
Food & Drink: Pakistani cuisine is based on curry or masala (hot and spicy) sauces accompanying chicken, lamb, shrimps and a wide choice of vegetables. Specialities include brain masala, biryani (seasoned rice with mutton, chicken and yoghurt), pilao (similar but less spicy) and sag gosht (spinach and lamb curry). Lahore is the centre for Mogul-style cuisine known as moghlai. Specialities include chicken tandoori, shish kebabs (charcoal-grilled meat on skewers), shami-kebabs (patties of chopped meat fried in ghee or butter), tikka-kebabs (grilled lamb or beef seasoned and spiced) and chicken tikka (highly seasoned chicken quarters, charcoal-grilled). Desserts include pastries, shahi tukray (slices of fried bread cooked in milk or cream, sweetened with syrup and topped with nuts and saffron), halwa (sweetmeat made with eggs, carrots, maize cream, sooji and nuts) and firni (similar to vanilla custard). Western and Chinese foods are also widely available.
The national drink is tea, drunk strong with milk and often very sweet. Alcohol may be bought at major hotels by visitors who have been issued a Liquor Permit from the Excise and Taxation Office. Wine is expensive and only available in upscale restaurants. Pakistani-brewed beer is widely available, as are canned carbonated drinks. There are no bars since there are strict laws concerning alcohol, and it is illegal to drink in public. Waiter service is provided in the larger hotels and restaurants. Visitors should avoid drinking water from the tap; bottled water is available everywhere, but it is necessary to make sure it comes in properly sealed plastic bottles.
Nightlife: Top hotels have bars and dancing but there is little Western-style nightlife. Cinemas in the large cities show international as well as Pakistani films. There are plenty of cultural events featuring traditional music and dance organised by the Pakistani Arts Academy throughout the year. Festivals and annual celebrations are colourful and lively.
Shopping: Special purchases include carved wooden tables, trays, screens, silver trinkets, pottery, camel-skin lamps, bamboo decorations, brassware, cane items, conch-shell ornaments, glass bangles, gold ornaments, hand-embroidered shawls, rugs and carpets, silks, cashmere shawls and saleem shahi shoes with upturned toes. While some of the major towns have craft centres where handicrafts from different regions are sold, bazaars often provide the most interesting shopping. It is expected that the customer should bargain for goods. Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0930-1300 and 1500-1830. Bazaars stay open longer.
Special Events: The following is a list of some of the special events taking place in Pakistan during 2003:
Feb Sibi Festival (sport, handicrafts, folk music and dances), Sibi (Balochistan); Sindh Horse and Cattle Show, Jacobabad (Sindh). Mar Mela Chiraghan (Festival of Lamps), Lahore. May Joshi or Chilimjusht (spring welcoming), Chitral. Jul Utchal (harvest festival celebrated by the Kalash people), Chitral. Aug 14 Independence Day (processions and rallies), countrywide. Oct Lok Mela (folk festival), Islamabad. Nov National Horse and Cattle Show, Lahore.
Social Conventions: The right hand is used both for shaking hands (the usual form of greeting) and for passing or receiving thngs. 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.
Smoking is prohibited in some public places and it is polite to ask permission before lighting a cigarette. It is common for visiting business people 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 Koran is the law for Muslims and it influences every aspect of daily life. See the World of Islam appendix for more information. Tipping: Most high-class hotels and restaurants add a ten per cent service charge. Other tipping is discretionary.
Business Profile
Economy: About half of the Pakistani labour force works in agriculture, where wheat, rice, sugar cane and cotton are the main products. Cotton is by far the country’s most important export, accounting for almost 60 per cent of revenues. Textiles and leather goods are significant export earners. Pakistan has some reserves of graphite and limestone, as well as gypsum, silica, coal, copper and manganese. It also has a small oil industry, but most of its needs must be imported: together with chemicals and machinery, this accounts for nearly three-quarters of Pakistan’s import expenditure. Established manufacturing industries include textiles, food processing and building materials.
The overriding economic problem for the Pakistani economy is its huge foreign debt burden, which consumes over half of government revenue. Repeated efforts to renegotiate repayments have been undermined by a history of bad relations with the IMF, in particular, and the international financial community generally – largely a result of failure to meet previous targets – and, more recently, international sanctions imposed following Pakistani nuclear tests in 1998. This coincided with the fall-out from the 1997 financial crisis that engulfed the major economies of East Asia. Domestic political instability has prevented effective planning and hampered continuing economic reform. Both economic growth and inflation have declined slightly in recent years to their present levels of three and two per cent respectively; unemployment is a recorded eight per cent but there is a high level of underemployment amongst the workforce. Pakistan’s main trading partners are the USA, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Hong Kong and the UK.
Business: Ties should be worn for important business appointments. English is commonly used. Appointments should be made, remembering that businesses are usually closed on Muslim holidays. Visiting cards should be used. Office hours: Mon-Thurs and Sat 0900-1700, Fri 0900-1230.
Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Overseas Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PO Box 4833, Talpur Road, Karachi (tel: (21) 241 0814; fax: (21) 242 7315; e-mail: oicci@dnobal.net.pk); or Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce (FPCCI), PO Box 13875, Federation House, Sharae Firdousi, Main Clifton, Karachi 75600, Pakistan (tel: (21) 587 3626; fax: (21) 587 4332; e-mail: fpcci@digicom.net.pk; website: www.fpcci.com).
Climate
Pakistan has three seasons: winter (November-March) is warm and cooled by sea breezes on the coast; summer (April-July) has extreme temperatures and the monsoon season (July-September) has the highest rainfall on the hills. Karachi has little rain. The best time to visit southern Pakistan is between November and March, when the days are cool and clear. The best time to visit northern Pakistan is from April to October.
Required clothing: Lightweights, with warmer clothing for upland areas in the winter. Rainwear is advised for the monsoon season.
History and Government
History: In ancient times, the area that now comprises Pakistan marked the farthest reaches of the conquests of Alexander the Great. It was also the home of Buddhist Ghandaran culture. It was not until 1947 and the independence of India, that Pakistan acquired nationhood. Under pressure from Indian Muslims led by Mohammed Ali Jinnah – considered to be the ‘father of the nation’ – the British created a separate Muslim state. Originally, it consisted of two parts, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and West Pakistan (now a single unitary state), separated from each other by 1600km (1000 miles) of Indian territory. Jinnah, the leading Muslim inside the Indian Congress party that led the independence struggle (see India section), became the new country’s first president.
In contrast to India, democracy failed to take root and Pakistan suffered prolonged periods of military rule. The first of these came in 1958, when martial law was declared and political parties abolished. The martial law ‘co-ordinator’, General (later Field Marshall) Ayub Khan, became President in 1960. He was replaced in 1969, by the Commander-in-Chief of the army, General Agha Muhammed Yahya Khan, who resisted demands for autonomy by the eastern region of the country, where civil war broke out in 1971. The intervention of the Indian army on the side of the secessionists eventually secured an independent Bangladesh, leaving a truncated Pakistan in the west. Democratic civilian government followed the defeat and President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto took over as president from the discredited military regime.
In 1977, however, the military again took power in a coup and re-established martial law under General Mohammed Zia ul-Haq. Bhutto was executed in 1979. Military rule continued until the death of General Zia in a plane crash in 1988, after which a democratic constitution and civilian government were re-instituted. Despite a strong challenge from the military-backed Islamic Democratic Alliance, Bhutto’s daughter, Benazir, long the focus for opposition, came to power as leader of the Pakistan People’s Party. But in August 1990, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed Bhutto and her government, accusing her and it of corruption and nepotism. The electoral campaign that followed was an exceptionally violent one, in which Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party was heavily defeated by the Islamic Democratic Alliance (IDA), led by Mohammed Nawaz Sharif.
The Sharif government suffered from all the problems of its PPP predecessor. In July 1993, the army engineered its removal and supervised new elections, which were held in October. These were won by Benazir Bhutto and the PPP. The second Benazir Bhutto government was no better than the first. (None of Pakistan’s recent civilian governments have made much headway in tackling the country’s huge economic and political problems). The situation was particularly bad in Karachi, where the Mohajir Quami Movement (MQM), the political organisation of the Mohajir (descendants of refugees from India, following the creation of Pakistan in 1947-48), has a major presence and engaged in regular confrontations with the government and security forces. In 1996, a political reform movement emerged, led by former cricketer Imran Khan, known as the Tehrik-e-Insaaf (Movement for Justice). Despite much favourable publicity, the lack of a substantial political base or policies has since consigned it to the political fringes.
Later that year, President Leghari, although he was originally a political ally of Bhutto, dismissed her government. Nawaz Sharif returned to office the following February, in an election marked by an extremely low turnout. Watching this revolving door of Pakistani politics over the previous ten years, the military had remained on the sidelines. This time, however, their patience was to be stretched beyond endurance. The process began in May 1998, when Sharif authorised the military to carry out a series of nuclear tests. International reaction was swift and vehement; wide-ranging, crippling sanctions followed.
The nuclear programme had begun in 1971, after Pakistan’s defeat by India and progressed steadily with Chinese assistance thereafter. Pakistan is now believed to possess at least a handful of nuclear warheads and the means of delivery. The conflict with India (also a nuclear power) is a central feature of Pakistani politics, particularly with regards to the attitude and posture of the military, with a long-running dispute over the status of Kashmir as well as the nuclear standoff. Throughout 1998 and 1999, the army assumed a more aggressive stance towards India, engineering a number of border clashes and other incidents. But in August 1999, under pressure from the USA and elsewhere, Sharif ordered the army to back down.
This triggered a series of clashes between Sharif and his army chief of staff, General Pervez Musharraf, which culminated in October 1999, with a military coup. Musharraf, unusually for a senior general, is a Mohajir and originally from northern India. The coup was generally popular among the people and, despite routine condemnation from abroad and suspension from the Commonwealth, Musharraf was given time to stabilise the country and try and tackle the endemic corruption and chronic mismanagement. Then, in 2001, events in neighbouring Afghanistan – Pakistan’s other major foreign policy interest – put Pakistan at the centre of the world stage and provided an unexpected political and economic opportunity.
The 11 September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon in the USA drew an immediate and massive response from the US government. Its targets were the Afghanistan-based al-Qaeda (The Base) organisation and its host, the Taleban regime. Pakistan had been intimately involved with the creation of the Taleban (roughly ‘students of Islam’), most of whom had fled from Afghanistan and enrolled in government-backed mudrassas (Islamic colleges). The graduates were recruited into the mujahidin guerrilla formations fighting the Soviet invaders. These veterans, who had since relocated into the southern provinces of Afghanistan, formed the core of the Taleban movement. Moreover, the Pathans of Pakistan, who are especially well represented in the military, are closely linked to the Pashtun, Afghanstan’s largest ethnic group, who also made up most of the Taleban.
The US demand for assistance in deposing the Taleban thus put the Pakistani government in something of a quandary, although General Musharraf quickly decided to back the USA. The decision paid immediate economic dividends in the lifting of the 1998 sanctions and the promise of a substantial financial aid package. Senior officers suspected of active sympathy for the Taleban were edged out. Within weeks, the Taleban had been driven from power.
At home, the Musharraf government sought to establish its popular legitimacy by holding elections for the national assembly as well as a referendum on his presidency, in October 2002. These returned General Musharraf – now partially reinvented as a civilian president – while his supporters took control of the national assembly. The general is extremely unpopular among parts of Pakistani society – he was the target of at least six assassination attempts in 2002 – but, for the time being and until the emergence of a civilian political leader untainted by gross corruption and incompetence, he is probably the best prospect for the future of his country.
Government: The constitution and legislature have been suspended under the military regime, led by general Pervez Musharraf, which took power in October 1999. The constitution, which dates from 1985, allows for a bicameral legislature comprising a 207-member National Assembly and an 87-member Senate, the former directly elected by universal suffrage and the latter elected by four provincial assemblies. In April 1997 executive powers were transferred from the president to the prime minister. This divested the president of the power to appoint and dismiss the prime minister, to dissolve the legislature, to order a national referendum and to appoint both provincial governors and armed forces chiefs.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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