What to be Aware of Before Travelling to Pakistan

This month we've invited one of our business affiliates, Untamed Borders, to share their expertise on travelling to Pakistan in a guest blog. You can find out more about Untamed Borders at the end of this article.

Pakistan offers a stunning range of landscapes, from the snowy high peaks of the Hindu Kush and Karakoram Mountain Ranges, to the harsh deserts of Balochistan, the lush Indus Valley and the glimmering waters along the Arabian Sea coast.

But the country is more than just exceptional nature - it also offers bustling and vibrant cities and a vast array of ancient sites, with the country playing host to some of the earliest civilisations.

Tourist interest in the nation is increasing quickly as a result and particularly in some areas, such as the gorgeous mountainous scenery in the north.

However, in a country which has had a chequered recent history security wise and has many remote and challenging locations, it’s important to be aware of some key safety advice and tips to help make your future Pakistan trip a success.

One of our affiliates, the adventure travel company – Untamed Borders, has been running both group and private trips to the nation since 2008 and know many of the challenges you may face.

They’ve put together this guide, using their specialist knowledge and 15 years of experience in Pakistan, to help you on your way in Pakistan.

Are there any parts of the Pakistan which are more challenging to travel to?

Pakistan has many contrasting areas and some do present extra challenges.

The major tourist areas of Lahore, Islamabad and the mountainous region of Gilgit-Baltistan are relatively low risk areas. However, Pakistan has other regions, which have places of interest for a visitor, and do have a higher risk. Some of those are listed below:

1. Balcohistan

Balochistan, in south-western and western Pakistan, neighbours parts of Iran and Afghanistan, and it’s one area which has suffered from issues involving insurgency and an armed separatists movement.

For a long time few foreign visitors ever had chance to visit Balochistan, but it has begun to open up slightly and Untamed Borders now runs group and private trips to the region.

It’s advised to only travel to this part of the country with an experienced tour operator, as there is an ongoing safety risk from armed anti-government groups and militants.

2. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in north-west Pakistan, is an area of the country where risks can be extremely high. Included in this frontier region is the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), which contains a complex network of tribes who have essentially ruled the area for many years, at arms’ length from the conventional government.

It’s also a region which is home to the Pakistani Taliban and the border crossing to Afghanistan – the famous Khyber Pass - has been a long-term smuggling route in drugs and arms. For these reasons we urge extra caution in this part of the country and it’s rare that tourists are given full access to the area.

However, the northern part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa does contain Chitral, which is a frequently visited place by international tourists, due to the unique Kalasha people – an animist tribe. It’s somewhere we take in on our group trips to Northern Pakistan.

We do organise a small number of private trips to the wider area, but it’s another location we would advise tourists not to go to alone.

3. Sindh

Parts of Sindh, in the south-east of Pakistan, have a heightened risk of theft, robbery and petty crime, which is particularly prevalent in the port city of Karachi.

In these locations it’s wise to be extra vigilant, don’t walk around alone at night and be mindful of your possessions (due to pickpocketing, bag snatching etc).

You often find that visitors are provided with a security detail when visiting certain locations in this part of Pakistan.

4. Roads

Driving in Pakistan can be chaotic, busy and hazardous.

Road conditions also aren’t particularly good in many areas, especially in the country’s mountainous locations and routes away from major cities.

For some of these more remote drives it is wise to hire a local driver, who understands the conditions and the routes.

It’s also advised to take regular breaks from driving in Pakistan. The distances between destinations can be long, particularly in the north, and when combined with the tricky terrain and road conditions, it can be extremely hazardous.

Is there any particular safety advice you would issue to people travelling to Pakistan?

1. Travel with an experienced company

Make sure to seek out the guidance of an experienced tour operator, who have a good track record of organising trips in Pakistan (such as Untamed Borders).

Working with specialist local teams, an experienced travel company will know their patch and are well informed about the culture, laws, risks and developing situations in the nation – this is highly valuable and can ensure your safety when travelling in Pakistan.

They should be able to make you aware of any rising regional tensions, help you steer clear of any conflict areas and be agile when faced with a natural disaster or other, unexpected, issues in the country.

2. Respect local customs

Make sure to do your research before travelling to Pakistan and be aware of the local customs.

If in doubt about anything in particular, make sure to ask your guide and tour operator for further information, particularly regarding clothing to ensure you dress sensitively and appropriate for the location or occasion. This can help reduce any potential offence being caused, which could trigger a point of conflict.

In a country like Pakistan, this includes conservative clothing for men and women, such as a headscarf for women and long-legged bottoms for both sexes.

3. Avoid higher risk areas

You can reduce your level of risk by steering clear of some of the more challenging areas, such as Balochistan, FATA, parts of Sindh and lower Punjab.

If you do plan to visit some of these locations, which have a higher risk level, ensure to only travel with an experienced tour operator and don’t go alone.

In certain parts of the country you may also require additional support, such as a security detail.

4. Avoid protests

Across all our destinations we recommend avoiding protests, demonstrations and other mass gatherings where tensions are heightened.

Firstly, a tourist may not be welcome at the event and you could be put in harm’s way or become a target. There is also the risk you could indirectly be injured if things are thrown or there is a risk of crushing in the crowd.

Avoiding these sorts of scenarios is a wise move.

5. Be cautious of what you photograph and post on social media

We advise all our guests to be extremely cautious about taking photos of government sites and buildings, along with military and police facilities.

If you aren’t sure whether the location you want to photograph is ok to snap, make sure to ask your guide – they will know about the regional sensitivities.

Taking photos of sensitive sites, which can include power stations, dams and transport hubs, can cause problems and you may be deemed a threat.

Do you need a visa to travel to Pakistan?

Most people travelling to Pakistan require a tourist visa. The country has an electronic visa system, which you can access here.

191 nationalities can apply for their online visa using the system, you can check whether your country is listed here.

Is there any other documentation you will require to complete the visa process?

To complete the visa process you may also be asked for a letter of invitation. This letter states who your “sponsor” is, usually a registered tour company in the country (such as Untamed Borders)

While filling out the e-visa application online, it will be requested. Contact your tour agency to help draft up this important piece of documentation.

How long does the Pakistan visa process take?

Officially the Pakistan government says the visa process can take up to a maximum of 10 working days. However, in Untamed Borders’ experience we have found it can vary dramatically from a few days up to a lot longer, even a month or more.

It’s important to get your documentation in order in good time, just in case of any unexpected delays. We recommend beginning the process around 8 weeks in advance of your arrival date in Pakistan.

Are there any nationalities who can’t travel to Pakistan?

Israeli passport holders aren’t allowed to visit Pakistan, but there isn’t any official policy about any other nationalities.

However, there have been cases where people with Indian heritage may be asked for extra documentation. It’s wise to contact your tour provider, such as Untamed Borders, for further details and assistance.  

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