Capital: Islamabad
Time zone: GMT + 5
Telephone services: Country Code: 92
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.
Tourist information: Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, Block D, Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan Tel: (51) 214 697 Fax: (51) 815 767.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.
Visa information: Visa Required by all except nationals of: Iceland, Maldives Republic, Singapore, South Korea, Trinidad & Tobago, Western Samoa and Zambia for a stay of 90 days or less. Nationals of Nepal for a stay of 30 days or less.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists throughout the year in the falciparum variety in all areas below 2000m. The falciparum variety has been reported as being highly resistant to chloroquine
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from all travellers coming from any part of a country where Yellow Fever is endemic. Children under 6 months of age are exempt providing the mother has proof of her own vaccination before the child was born.
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Rabies.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Pakistani Rupee (Re singular, Rs plural) = 100 paisa Amex and Diners Club are widely accepted. Travellers cheques are generally accepted at most banks, 4 and 5 star hotels and major shops. US dollars are the preferred currency. ATM availability: 3 locations
Cost of living: Staying in Pakistan can be relatively cheap if you are willing to shop at the markets and sacrifice luxuries.
Languages: Urdu and English. There are regional languages of Sindhi, Baluchi, Punjabi and Pashtu. There are numerous local dialects
Weather: There are three seasons: Winter: (Nov to Mar) where the weather is warm but cooled by sea breezes. Summer: (Apr – July) with extreme temperatures. Monsoon (July to Sept) which has the highest rainfall on the hills.
Electricity: 220 volts Ac, 50 Hz. Round 2 or 3 pin plugs are in use.
Post: Airmail takes 4 to 5 days to reach Western Europe
Transport: FLIGHTS: There are many daily flights from Karachi to the commercial centres. Air transport is the quickest and most efficient means of travel. RAIL: A legacy of British Rule is an extensive rail network based on the main line from Karachi to Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar which has several daytime and overnight trains. Travel in air-conditioned coaches is advised along with reservations for longer journeys. ROAD: The highway network between cities is well made and maintained. BUS: Regular services run between most towns and villages. Air-conditioned coaches are recommended for longer journeys. Advance booking is advised. TAXI: By far the most efficient mean of urban travel, being reasonably priced and widely available. CAR HIRE: Available in major cities. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP will be issued on presentation of a national driving licence.
Special information: Travel to Pakistan should only be undertaken if absolutely essential. The British Foreign and Commonwealth office are advising British citizens already there to consider leaving. Please note there is EXTREME RISK: In federally administered tribal areas and all areas bordering Afghanistan.