Benazir Bhutto's murder: Impact on Travel?

Nuala · Dec 28th, 2007, 02:49

Just heard about Bhutto's murder in Pakistan. I just wonder what is the reaction to this sad event in India.
I will be travelling to India for 8 months from March 08, my parents just called me begging me not to go as the way they are portraying this news in Spain is quite dramatic and they are talking about civil war in Pakistan and India's involvement etc...
To be honest I am not very concerned, I try not to freak out too much about the fatalistic way spanish media can portrait some events happening on the other side of the globe. I have been planning my big comeback to India for a long time and I do not see any dangers yet, Am I too careless? What do you think...

Quote:

Moderator Note: Please keep this thread for discussing any
practicalities and travel aspects.

Political and wider issues under discussion here

Thank you.

.

Dilliwala · Dec 28th, 2007, 03:09

Yes, bad news about Benazir. Things are going to be unstable in Pakistan in the short-term. But it's quite ridiculous to talk of India's involvement - no one in Pakistan is in any doubt that India has nothing to do with this, rather their own internal problems are at work here.

Certainly it's not a good idea to travel to Pakistan immediately, in fact Karachi airport has been closed down for the time being.
But there's no reason not to travel to India, now or next year.

rushie82 · Dec 28th, 2007, 03:15

A very very sad turn of events. I think she was the only one that was acceptable to Pakistani people and rest of the world. now we got a problem on our hand. Regarding saftey in India. dont worry about it. Nothing will happen in India. India will be stupid to get involved right now and all terrorists will be busy fighting pakistani army so we will get a break here.

Nuala · Dec 28th, 2007, 03:24

Excuse my english,

, I meant the impact (not involvement) this sad event would have in India.

Thanks for your reply, I thought so, pity that my parents waste so much time perceiving the rest of the world through the lense of the spanish sensationalist media.

Xxx

Dilliwala · Dec 28th, 2007, 03:29

Well, the impact is it's been a bit of a shock. The lady had her standing in this part of the world, and despite the problems between the 2 countries, she was reasonably well regarded in general.

Aishah · Dec 28th, 2007, 21:11

While people here are extremely shocked, life goes on as normal. I think you can do all your travelling and moving about the country as if it had never happened. I don't think there will be anything that should hinder your coming here. The implications so far have only been TV news portraying all events in Pakistan. I have not seen anything so far different from the usual daily lives of people here.

Mehndi Masala · Dec 28th, 2007, 22:15

It appears that if you want to go to Pakistan by bus or train you may be out of luck for awhile. All of that is suspended for now.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/165656.html

Kim

imranthetrekker · Dec 29th, 2007, 01:55

Salut mes amis,

Things in Pakistan change quickly, this incident at Liaqat Bagh of Benazir Bhutto's murder very fresh at the moment, so saying something a bit difficult, but we, Pakistanis forget the things easily and much quicker than other communities of the world, so soon it'll be fine again.

I'm here in Peshawar, 2nd day, most of the markets and bazars're closed but city remained calm, no riots, but when we look at the other cities like Karachi and inside Sindh some smaller towns, where PPP,s got the majority and the people's support with Bhutto's family, they're in real turmoil, skygods're looking at them astonishingly, that what the hell's going on here, because people're setting blaze the shops, gas stations etc.

So for us it's not new, I rememeber in 99, I was working with an American friend in Hindukush Chitral, on Kalash and Nooristani tribes and the situation's very tense between Pakistan and India on Kargil, but then it's calm, after 911, 2002's the year, when I'd seen very few tourists and travelers in Pakistan and there's no hope but then the situation started getting better.

It's 1:20 in the morning and

I'm listening to Lata ji's songs

Teray Liyay Palkon ki jhalar bunoon
Kaliyon sa gajray main bandhay phiroon,
Dhoop Lagay jahan tujhay chaya banoon aja sajna!

Naya naya sansar hai, Aja Sajna

Tres bon voyage,

Imran Schah

Mehndi Masala · Dec 29th, 2007, 02:00

We're glad your OK Imran! Take care and I think we would all appreciate an update whenever you feel you have the time.

Hope that things stay nice and calm where you are!

Kim

bijapuri · Dec 29th, 2007, 02:05

Mehndi, the article in your post says only bus and train service are suspended. It says nothing about the actual border crossing at Atari/Wagah. Therefore it is probably possible to walk accross the border, which is how almost everyone goes anyway.

Best bet- check you local India or Pak consulate for info, but be prepared for absolutely no clue from them either . . . . .

Diana · Dec 29th, 2007, 02:39

Thank you for the update of how things are on the ground Imran. Stay safe (as it sounds like you are) and do keep us posted as you can.

capt_mahajan · Dec 29th, 2007, 08:27

Imran, wish you good luck in Pakistan. Hope things improve fast.

Travel news:

The Times of India reports today that rail and road links between India and Pakistan have been cut by India.

dzibead · Dec 29th, 2007, 08:51

Thanks for the update, Imran. It's good to have a report from someone on the "inside". The situation in Sind sounds bad, though.

New-South-Welshman · Dec 29th, 2007, 09:38

When this happened, I knew that it wouldn't affect my travels to India in February. I mean, politically, I consider the two countries very different, and won't worry about the troubles in Pakistan when I am in India. I mean if I think about it, the skyscrapers of Bombay, the beaches of Goa... it'll all feel like Pakistan is a world away.

Aishah · Dec 29th, 2007, 13:56

very true, NSW, but I have to say it didn't feel like that,here, in 2002. And what was so awful was the fact that many people here, both Hindu and Muslim, have relations and family just across the border in Sindh. Here all is calm, but we all hope that this Sindh protesting and violence will die down soon and that no family members are affected or suffer from the rioting.
Good to hear your news, Imran, and please keep us posted.

Dec 28th, 2007, 21:11	#6
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 4,961	While people here are extremely shocked, life goes on as normal. I think you can do all your travelling and moving about the country as if it had never happened. I don't think there will be anything that should hinder your coming here. The implications so far have only been TV news portraying all events in Pakistan. I have not seen anything so far different from the usual daily lives of people here. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

Dec 28th, 2007, 22:15	#7
Mehndi Masala Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 208	It appears that if you want to go to Pakistan by bus or train you may be out of luck for awhile. All of that is suspended for now. http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/165656.html Kim __________________ Time flies like an arrow.......... Fruit flies like a banana! http://www.winnipeghenna.com

Dec 29th, 2007, 02:05	#10
bijapuri laid traps for troubadours Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Priustan Posts: 2,598	Mehndi, the article in your post says only bus and train service are suspended. It says nothing about the actual border crossing at Atari/Wagah. Therefore it is probably possible to walk accross the border, which is how almost everyone goes anyway. Best bet- check you local India or Pak consulate for info, but be prepared for absolutely no clue from them either . . . . . __________________ Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential. Barack Obama lookit me!!!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bijapuri/ Utube fuzzy logic: http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=bijapuri&p =r

Dec 29th, 2007, 02:39	#11
Diana Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Washington State & Kerala Posts: 252	Thank you for the update of how things are on the ground Imran. Stay safe (as it sounds like you are) and do keep us posted as you can. __________________ “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” - Rabindranath Tagore

Dec 29th, 2007, 09:38	#14
New-South-Welshman Drunk Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW Posts: 1,374	When this happened, I knew that it wouldn't affect my travels to India in February. I mean, politically, I consider the two countries very different, and won't worry about the troubles in Pakistan when I am in India. I mean if I think about it, the skyscrapers of Bombay, the beaches of Goa... it'll all feel like Pakistan is a world away. __________________ Mr. Burns "Non-violence never solved anything!"

Dec 28th, 2007, 03:09	#2
Dilliwala Funky flunky Join Date: May 2007 Location: Dilli Posts: 3,547	Yes, bad news about Benazir. Things are going to be unstable in Pakistan in the short-term. But it's quite ridiculous to talk of India's involvement - no one in Pakistan is in any doubt that India has nothing to do with this, rather their own internal problems are at work here. Certainly it's not a good idea to travel to Pakistan immediately, in fact Karachi airport has been closed down for the time being. But there's no reason not to travel to India, now or next year.

Dec 28th, 2007, 03:15	#3
rushie82 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: India Posts: 73	A very very sad turn of events. I think she was the only one that was acceptable to Pakistani people and rest of the world. now we got a problem on our hand. Regarding saftey in India. dont worry about it. Nothing will happen in India. India will be stupid to get involved right now and all terrorists will be busy fighting pakistani army so we will get a break here.

Dec 28th, 2007, 03:24	#4
Nuala You cannot walk straight when the road bends Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: London -Madrid....Now in Delhi! :) Posts: 38	Excuse my english, , I meant the impact (not involvement) this sad event would have in India. Thanks for your reply, I thought so, pity that my parents waste so much time perceiving the rest of the world through the lense of the spanish sensationalist media. Xxx

Dec 28th, 2007, 03:29	#5
Dilliwala Funky flunky Join Date: May 2007 Location: Dilli Posts: 3,547	Well, the impact is it's been a bit of a shock. The lady had her standing in this part of the world, and despite the problems between the 2 countries, she was reasonably well regarded in general.

Dec 29th, 2007, 01:55	#8
imranthetrekker Account Closed Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chitral, Pakistan Posts: 33	Salut mes amis, Things in Pakistan change quickly, this incident at Liaqat Bagh of Benazir Bhutto's murder very fresh at the moment, so saying something a bit difficult, but we, Pakistanis forget the things easily and much quicker than other communities of the world, so soon it'll be fine again. I'm here in Peshawar, 2nd day, most of the markets and bazars're closed but city remained calm, no riots, but when we look at the other cities like Karachi and inside Sindh some smaller towns, where PPP,s got the majority and the people's support with Bhutto's family, they're in real turmoil, skygods're looking at them astonishingly, that what the hell's going on here, because people're setting blaze the shops, gas stations etc. So for us it's not new, I rememeber in 99, I was working with an American friend in Hindukush Chitral, on Kalash and Nooristani tribes and the situation's very tense between Pakistan and India on Kargil, but then it's calm, after 911, 2002's the year, when I'd seen very few tourists and travelers in Pakistan and there's no hope but then the situation started getting better. It's 1:20 in the morning and I'm listening to Lata ji's songs Teray Liyay Palkon ki jhalar bunoon Kaliyon sa gajray main bandhay phiroon, Dhoop Lagay jahan tujhay chaya banoon aja sajna! Naya naya sansar hai, Aja Sajna Tres bon voyage, Imran Schah

Dec 29th, 2007, 02:00	#9
Mehndi Masala Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 208	We're glad your OK Imran! Take care and I think we would all appreciate an update whenever you feel you have the time. Hope that things stay nice and calm where you are! Kim

Dec 29th, 2007, 08:27	#12
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,101	Imran, wish you good luck in Pakistan. Hope things improve fast. Travel news: The Times of India reports today that rail and road links between India and Pakistan have been cut by India.

Dec 29th, 2007, 08:51	#13
dzibead Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,077	Thanks for the update, Imran. It's good to have a report from someone on the "inside". The situation in Sind sounds bad, though.

Dec 29th, 2007, 13:56	#15
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 4,961	very true, NSW, but I have to say it didn't feel like that,here, in 2002. And what was so awful was the fact that many people here, both Hindu and Muslim, have relations and family just across the border in Sindh. Here all is calm, but we all hope that this Sindh protesting and violence will die down soon and that no family members are affected or suffer from the rioting. Good to hear your news, Imran, and please keep us posted.

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