Pakistan:Safe To Go To?

Scandojazzbuff · Mar 11th, 2008, 09:35

I have an opportunity to go to Lahore and Islamabad. It's for business, but, on a very personal level. I have been assured of protection at all times with car and driver along with some armed body guards, 24/7. Somehow, this doesn't reassure my wife and most of my friends!

What do some of the more intrepid IM'ers think, please?

the opoponax · Mar 11th, 2008, 09:38

I would go in a heartbeat.

That said, I would do, and have done, a lot of things that other people think are crazy. If you are the cautious sort, you should probably take my willingness as a sign NOT to do it.

Scandojazzbuff · Mar 11th, 2008, 09:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by the opoponax

I would go in a heartbeat.

That said, I would do, and have done, a lot of things that other people think are crazy. If you are the cautious sort, you should probably take my willingness as a sign NOT to do it.

I've been in Pakistan before but things have changed quite a bit since. I was hoping to get a more informed opinion from posters who might have been there recently or who have some first hand knowledge of the situation in these places I mentioned.

I talked with 3 people here in Bangkok who have been recently and got 3 different opinions. One said don't go. One said definitely go, and, the last said, maybe. Being in a place where everyone is openly armed raises some eyebrows for me. I also know of 2 people in my field who have been murdered in the last year there.

shashank.aggarwal · Mar 11th, 2008, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scandojazzbuff

I have been assured of protection at all times with car and driver along with some armed body guards, 24/7.

This means that there is trouble...

the opoponax · Mar 11th, 2008, 09:54

Isn't "the situation" pretty much international news at this point?

Yes, under the current circumstances, I would definitely still go.

Not sure how many IM folks have been since the state of emergency, Bhutto's assassination, etc...

Nick-H · Mar 11th, 2008, 12:00

Quote:

I also know of 2 people in my field who have been murdered in the last year there.

That would settle it for me. I wouldn't go.

Agree with Shashank's comments too: if it isn't very dodgy, why would they supply armed guards?

(This probably belongs in crossing the Border forum, even though staying alive is something of a health issue. Will probably move it.)

kristinm · Mar 11th, 2008, 12:47

Well all I know is what I just heard on the news - our cricket team have cancelled their tour just today... here's a link
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s644978.htm

dzibead · Mar 11th, 2008, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristinm

Well all I know is what I just heard on the news - our cricket team have cancelled their tour just today... here's a link
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s644978.htm

That story is from 2002.

Mickey S · Mar 11th, 2008, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzibead

That story is from 2002.

Either the link is wrong, or the date on that link is wrong, but the story is certainly correct.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/7288996.stm

To the OP: this is no time to be visiting Pakistan. Random bomb attacks are becoming more frequent and even though you are personally extremely unlikely to be caught in one the fear of trouble is likely to colour your entire trip.

kristinm · Mar 11th, 2008, 15:02

Oops sorry - they have just cancelled their tour AGAIN... after the bombings earlier - must have found a link to an old story - but the same story... depressing isn't it? Hang on http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...11/2186717.htm. There was a bomb blast in Lahore today as well... as you no doubt know now.

brownboy66 · Mar 11th, 2008, 16:17

Actually I think it was three bomb blasts in Lahore today.......

IMHO - unless its urgent I would hold off. I can understand if there is family you need to see, or essential business (and I would be in two minds as to how essential a business trip is at all) - but if its tourism then it can wait.

Scandojazzbuff · Mar 11th, 2008, 16:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.aggarwal

This means that there is trouble...

You think?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

That would settle it for me. I wouldn't go.

Agree with Shashank's comments too: if it isn't very dodgy, why would they supply armed guards?

(This probably belongs in crossing the Border forum, even though staying alive is something of a health issue. Will probably move it.)

Definitely a health issue!

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownboy66

Actually I think it was three bomb blasts in Lahore today.......

IMHO - unless its urgent I would hold off. I can understand if there is family you need to see, or essential business (and I would be in two minds as to how essential a business trip is at all) - but if its tourism then it can wait.

Just saw a Pakistani friend who returned to Bangkok today who told me the news about the 2 bombings in Lahore. Very timely for my situation! If I went, there would be much face to gain. OTOH, I could lose all my face.

Mar 11th, 2008, 09:35	#1
Scandojazzbuff Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangkok Posts: 245	Pakistan:Safe To Go To? I have an opportunity to go to Lahore and Islamabad. It's for business, but, on a very personal level. I have been assured of protection at all times with car and driver along with some armed body guards, 24/7. Somehow, this doesn't reassure my wife and most of my friends! What do some of the more intrepid IM'ers think, please?

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Mar 11th, 2008, 09:38	#2
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	I would go in a heartbeat. That said, I would do, and have done, a lot of things that other people think are crazy. If you are the cautious sort, you should probably take my willingness as a sign NOT to do it.

Mar 11th, 2008, 09:54	#5
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	Isn't "the situation" pretty much international news at this point? Yes, under the current circumstances, I would definitely still go. Not sure how many IM folks have been since the state of emergency, Bhutto's assassination, etc...

Mar 11th, 2008, 12:47	#7
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,300	Well all I know is what I just heard on the news - our cricket team have cancelled their tour just today... here's a link http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s644978.htm

Mar 11th, 2008, 15:02	#10
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,300	Oops sorry - they have just cancelled their tour AGAIN... after the bombings earlier - must have found a link to an old story - but the same story... depressing isn't it? Hang on http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...11/2186717.htm. There was a bomb blast in Lahore today as well... as you no doubt know now.

Mar 11th, 2008, 16:17	#11
brownboy66 the riff raff.... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,942	Actually I think it was three bomb blasts in Lahore today....... IMHO - unless its urgent I would hold off. I can understand if there is family you need to see, or essential business (and I would be in two minds as to how essential a business trip is at all) - but if its tourism then it can wait.

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