 | Pakistan Warnings or Dangers | Tips 11 - 20 of 43 |  |
 | |  |  | People: Driving can drive you crazy. | Tip Rating:    |  |  | |  |
Driving conditions in Pakistan are no where close to what you have in the UK, Europe, the UAE or the USA. The honking cars and no adherence to traffic regulations reminds one of Egypt though.
Although Islamabad, the capital is good traffic wise, old portion of Lahore and most of Karachi is a driver's nightmare. In Pakistan, cars, motorcycles, rickshaws, wagons, buses, camel, oxen and donkey driven carts also ply on the same roads, as does the normal traffic.
To foreign tourists, I will not suggest driving a car. Rented out cars with a driver is the best bet. If the group is 6 to 10 strong, I would suggest hiring an airconditioned wagon / coaster.
However, driving on national highways is strictly regulated.
Another wise thing to do in Pakistan is to hire the services of professional tour operators of repute, who will be able to take care of all these details for you. Due to low value of Pak rupees vis-a-vis US$, the deal may turn out to be extremely economical. Again, the package may be negotiated / haggled, as is everything else in Pakistan. More on haggling under shopping tip.
A guided tour can let one observe such off the beaten path marvels as the Kotri Barrage near Hyderabad, constructed by the British in the 19th Century. My elder brother from the USA (picture) took several hours to observe gigantic water distribution system on the upstream side of the barrage and the environmental degradation due water shortage in the estuaries on the downstream side. Leave a Comment
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Pakistan is the worst country when it comes to electricity distribution network. The wires are all overgorund and hanging from the poles. There is so much theft of electricity that no one ever pays a bill.
If you see a pole - keep away from it - especially during rain Leave a Comment
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if you go to the zoo and see a gorrila chewing on a red substance ... my suggestion is to turn around and run like hell. For if you don't you'll then be covered with it. These suckers can spit pretty far Leave a Comment
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| | | | Pakistan - Consular... | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Pakistan - Consular Information Sheet
May 23, 2001
TRAVEL WARNING (Issued May 14, 2001): The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to evaluate carefully the implications for their security and safety before deciding to travel to Pakistan.
Information received by the U.S. Government suggests a continued need for vigilance on the part of American citizens resident in, or traveling through, Pakistan.
Given the presence of Usama Bin Ladin in neighboring Afghanistan and the public sympathy and support for him in Pakistan, and the presence of indigenous terrorist groups in Pakistan, the Department urges all American citizens resident in, or traveling through, Pakistan to take appropriate steps to maintain their security awareness. Events in the Middle East have increased the possibility of violence.The Government of Pakistan requires all citizens of countries other than Pakistan and Afghanistan to obtain permission from the Home and Tribal Affairs Department prior to visiting the tribal areas of Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province, areas which lie outside the normal jurisdiction of the Government of Pakistan. Yet, from time to time, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad may defer all official travel to the tribal areas of Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province due to security reasons. The U.S. Embassy urges all Americans citizens planning to travel to these areas to do likewise......CRIME: Crime is a serious concern for foreigners throughout Pakistan, with violent crime increasing faster than any other category. Carjackings, armed robberies, house invasions and other violence against civilians have increased steadily in the major urban areas. Lahore and Karachi, in particular, experience high levels of crime. They are large cities beset by poverty, high unemployment, and underpaid, under-manned police forces. Travelers in Karachi are encouraged to use hotel shuttles from the airport rather than taxis, which are subject to police harassment, especially after dark. Petty crime, especially theft of personal property, is common throughout Pakistan....MEDICAL FACILITIES: Adequate medical care is available in major cities in Pakistan, but is limited in rural areas. With the exception of the Agha Khan Hospital in Karachi and Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, Americans may find hospital care and cleanliness below US standards.....OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: The water is not potable anywhere in Pakistan and sanitation in many restaurants is inadequate. Stomach illnesses are frequent and dangerous. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers from the United States at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax: 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov........CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Import of firearms, pornographic material and alcohol is restricted. An import permit and health certificate are required for animals. There are also restrictions on leaving Pakistan with antiquities or animals. It is advisable to contact the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, DC or the nearest Pakistani consulate for specific information regarding customs requirements.......SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Pakistan is largely a cash economy. Personal checks are not commonly accepted. Most Pakistanis do not use checking accounts for routine transactions. Credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted by only a few establishments in the larger cities. There are bank branches as well as registered money changers in all international airports. ATMs are usually not found in airports. English is widely spoken by professional level airport staff. It is best to agree on taxi fares before hiring a driver. Currently, U.S. Embassy employees are restricted from using taxis for security reasons.REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATIONS: American citizens living in or visiting Pakistan are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Pakistan and obtain updated information on travel and security within Pakistan. They are located at the following addresses:-- The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad is located at Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, telephone (92-51) 2080-0000; consular section telephone (92-51) 2080-2700, fax (92-51) 822-632, website http://www.usembassy.state.gov/islamabad or www.usembassy.state.gov/pakistan.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Karachi is located at 8 Abdullah Haroon Road, telephone (92-21) 568-5170 (after hours: 92-21-568-1606), fax (92-21) 568-0496, website http://www.usembassy.state.gov/pakistan or www.usembasy.state.gov/posts/pk2/wwwhamcn.html.
-- The U.S. Consulate in Lahore is located on 50-Empress Road near Shimla Road or Sharah-E-Abdul Hamid Bin Badees, (Old Empress Road), telephone (92-42) 636-5530, fax (92-42) 636-5177, website http://usconsulate-lahore.org.pk/. Email address: amconsul@brain.net.pk
-- The U.S. Consulate in Peshawar is located at 11 Hospital Road, Cantonment, Peshawar, telephone (92-91) 279-801 through 803, fax (92-91) 276-712, web site http://brain.net.pk/~consul/.,,,,,,,,,,The normal workweek in Pakistan is Monday through Saturday, with a half-day worked on Friday. However, the U.S. Embassy and consulates are open Monday through Friday.,,,,,,,,,This replaces the Consular Information Sheet for Pakistan dated September 14, 1999, to update the Travel Warning, and update the sections on Entry/Exit Requirements, Medical Insurance, Safety and Security/ Areas of Instability, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, Aviation Safety Oversight, Children's Issues and Registration/Embassy and Consulate Location. Leave a Comment
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