7 weeks in Pakistan

Shiver me Timbers

I had some really interesting conversations with older Pakistanis.

One guy I met at the Indian embassy, trying to get our visas. He hadn't been 'home' (Amritsar) since 1947, and felt he hadn't much time left to see his birthplace again. He had no bitterness towards India, and repeatadly told me how stupid partition was - "We are the same people!!!"

This attitude is probably typical of the older generation.

The younger generation seemed more nationalistic, full of conspiracy theories. But no-one I talked to had anything bad to say about the Indian people.

Marvel

Shere and Conor: really good info, many thanks!

Shiver me Timbers

Some pictures of beautiful Pakistan.......

http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/showgallery.php?si=pakistan&li mit=&x=9&y=8

jaybel

Hi..
I just got back after spending a week in Lahore.. I must stress that it was a very positive experience.. I am Indian/ female, accompanied my husband on his business trip.. there were certain things I noticed..as an Indian ( I look like one of them ) I dont think I cld have worn jeans etc.. did not see many women on the streets.. and single women were pretty rare.. always in twos or groups..As a single Indian female I wld not travel around alone... if u are a westerner then it might be a bit different as they are perceived a bit differently .... but apart from that Lahoris are very very warm and welcoming.. and extremely curious about " How is it in India ? " ? I personally feel more than Indians are about Pakistan.. The food was just fantastic. if u are a vegetarian in Lahore then it might be hard !!! My dream is to go to Peshawar..!! may be one day in the near future yes you are right Conor they did not have anything bad to say about India .. I personally find that inIndia we tend to have a more negative attitude towards Pakistan than the other way round.. well that is what I felt

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Jaybel

Shiver me Timbers

Good to hear about your experience, hopefully it will encourage more tourists to forget about the negative image and visit Pakistan.

capt_mahajan

this was more than a decade ago, but after a visit to Karachi, I have often felt that Pakistan is a place where Indians get treated better than most other countries.

Specially after they found out my folks came from there in 1947.

bijapuri

question to all of you who have traveled in Pakistan in the last few years:

did you meet any Americans, and did you get any info on their experience there?

I visited twice in the 70's haven't been back, but would love to travel there, esp. KKH.

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Shiver me Timbers

Hi Bij,

I met 2 Americans there last year, one in Lahore, and one in Gilgit up the KKH, both had arrived from India and were heading for China. Neither of them reported any problems, but I'm not sure if they visited Peshawar/ North-West Frontier Province. Still, if it's Punjab and the KKH you're after, these are the most relaxed areas of the country - particularly north of Gilgit on the KKH, the locals are Ismailis - when I was there during Ramazan, they were eating and drinking, and giving me local apricot brandy at night.

I really don't think it'll be any more of a problem than it would be in Muslim areas of India - the worst you could probably expect would be someone telling you he doesn't like Americans, which is what happened to an American guy I was with in the Muslim quarter of Ahmedabad last year.

bijapuri

thanx, conor. Hmmmm . . . time is drawing near if I want to hit KKH this year

Karan321

As far as the general public goes, I agree. I was in Karachi a few months back for a conference and the reception I got was nothing less than incredible. The moment anybody found out I was Indian, they would have all sorts of questions on the cities, way of life in India etc. They seemed to be intrigued. Infact there were a couple of instances when they refused to accept money from me for purchases like when I went into this small shop to buy bottled water and on getting the bottle said dhanyavad (Thank you in hindi) instead of shukriya (urdu). Everybody there stopped doing their work and started staring at me and the owner just wouldnt accept money since in his words I was his brother from across the border.

himadventures

Being a INDIAN- I am happy that you all have such a good version of PAK. we can not imagine that it could be possible for us to travel in peace-leave along trekking in remote could be possible on INDIAN PASSPORT.

Honestly speaking, me too do not feel courage coming to my heart if I try to. BUT it is good to read what everyone wrote about PAK.

People are people and generally people are good. These are DELHI, WASHINGTON and ISLAMABAD which makes this world, a big mess.

Congratulations and many many thanks for such a good post.

mercedes10

Hi! I was in Pakistan in February this year and travelled partly solo and partly in the company of Imran Shah (mentioned in Conor's original post). As a blonde, western woman I was nervous about going, but have to say I largely had good experiences and met some of the most hospitable people in the world. Pakistan (in my experience) definitely felt more edgy than India though. I'd say it's an amazing and interesting place to travel and the people are wonderful, but it's not as much 'fun' as India. It's a little like India in monochrome.

For anyone thinking of going I really wouldn't hesitate - and so long as you're an independent-minded female I see no reason for women not to travel solo. That said, you really do need to dress like the locals. Some people mentioned that you don't need to wear the head-scarf - I disagree! Without it I think you would feel incredibly conspicuous and uncomfortable. I hardly saw any women on the streets (let alone foreigners - I saw none!)- and the women I did see were covered head-to-foot (even in Lahore). In Peshawar the burqa was most common.

Like Conor, I would also highly recommend Imran Shah to anyone looking for a guide. He's fantastic!

I was unlucky enough to be in Pakistan when the riots over the Danish cartoons kicked off. That was a frightening experience, with the streets full of guys with lathis, police firing guns, buildings and vehicles on fire, the air full of tear gas. I was stuck on a roof (under curfew) with burning buildings surrounding me. Examining the carnage the next day was unreal - the restaurant I ate in on my first night was completely burnt out, along with many cars and several shops/businesses. I felt a little odd wandering around after that with everyone asking me if I was Danish. I don't think they necessarily meant it in a bad way but it was a little intimidating nonetheless.

I wont judge the country on that incident though - as I don't think it's a true reflection of the place. I spent time with so many amazing families - people who just called me in off the street, fed me, looked after me, offered me a place to stay, treated a complete stranger like a memeber of their family. THAT is how I will remember the Pakistanis.

As for visas - they were relaxing visas for Indians and issuing cricket visas when I was there. I think those visas are very short though. I imagine it would still be difficult for an Indian to get a regular tourist visa. My friend is a British Pakistani (with british passport) and he had an unbelievable amount of difficulty getting a visa to go on holiday to India. I was quite shocked about it. He has Pakistani parents but he's through and through a British citizen yet they didn't want to give him a visa.

biswassb

Sounds like a Pakistani PR campaign to me. Just like they say:

FOOLS GO WHERE ANGELS FEAR!

PeakXV

I'm interested in the Sindh Interior only - preferably without an escort service. Anyone been recently and if so what's the buzz?

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Shiver me Timbers

volga_volga went last year.....she doesn't seem to hang to hang out here anymore. Maybe you could try the Pakistan Forum Peak?