places to visit in Pakistan

drove thru in 1971, spent a month in Lahore in 1973. Loved both trips, but obviously my info is outdated. any suggested itineraries? Must sees, avoidables, etc . . .

Peshawar is amazing. While there, take a day trip to the border crossing between Pak and Afghanistan. It's fascinating watching the people stream back and forth, talking to the American troops who are there, seeing how the UN relief orgs work, etc.

Trekking in the northern areas is definitely a good time, if you're into that.

I was in Rawalpindi/Islamabad during independence day celebrations on Aug 14... highly highly recommended if it fits your schedule.

The best part of my trip to Pakistan were the Sufi festivals and gatherings. Every thursday night, lots of drums, people shaking around, etc. Amazing. Malik Shams at the Regale Internet Inn in Lahore can hook you into all of that. I highly highly recommend staying there when you're in Lahore. You can contact him at regale_internet@hotmail.com.

what is it about Peshawar? I get such conflicting opinions on it.

Travellers either love it (like Bumpy Jonas) or hate it. When I mentioned to a Pakistani friend that I would like to go there he said "forget it you won't come back alive" (well said almost the same abt my going to Pakistan). Was that because I'm a woman? can someone explain

and Bumpy Jonas, would you care to explain why Peshawar is "amazing"

I loved Peshawar, stayed there three weeks and met some fabulous people. But we got lucky in terms of meeting someone who lived there so got to stay with her. If we had been staying in the hotel we were at for the first two nights, I doubt we would have stayed as long... hot as hell in July and half the fun for us was meeting local families and NGO families through our hostess. One thing that I would have liked about Peshawar regardless of where we stayed was the shopping... fantastic!!

sigh, I would love to go, and usually I don't pay much attention to political situations unless really obviously dangerous, but I can't help thinking that for now just being American wouldn't be too cool
OTOH, Libya's opening up but for an Old India Hand, I doubt it would have the same thrill as Pak