Visa
Pakistan has recently liberalised its visa regime. Pakistan now allows 126 passports to use their eVisa facilities. The Pakistan eVisa is now free of charge and gives the applicant 90 days single entry. Some countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Oman are now completely visa free.
You can read more about Pakistan visa requirements in our dedicated Pakistan Visa section.
Getting in and out
There are several options for your arrival into Pakistan, however the most common airports to fly directly into are Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. There are international flights available to many of Pakistan’s other cities such as Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, Sialkot and Faisalabad.
From Afghanistan
The most common route that people take is via Peshawar. Previously, this option was not open to foreigners, however many people have crossed this border recently and it seems to now be open to all.
From Iran
There are currently two options available for people coming from Iran, both options are known for being a little troublesome, however quite a few people have crossed successfully. Your options are either from Zahedan or from Rimdan. Once you have crossed you will need to have a military escort in the Baluchistan region of Pakistan. From Zahedan most people head to Quetta. From Rimdan people usually head to Gwadar and then on to Karachi.
From India
This option is one of the most fun as it will take you through the famous Wagah Border Crossing in Lahore. This is the only option for foreigners to cross from India to Pakistan. The Wagah border is where you can see a performance by either sides military done every evening. It is not possible for Indian or Pakistani citizens to cross this border.
From China
Yep that’s right, you can even enter Pakistan from China. This border is nestled in the high Karakorum Mountains and is one of the most spectacular border crossings in the world. This border is officially the highest border crossing in the world at 5000m above sea level. The border is only open on Monday to Friday and is closed on public holidays including Islamic holidays so make sure you check your calendar before attempting to cross. The opening hours for the Chinese are 11am to 8pm Beijing time and the Pakistan side is open from 9am to 5pm Islamabad time (3 hours different to Beijing).
Why visit
Pakistan is an extremely diverse country which offers many different cultures, landscapes and climates for anyone who chooses to visit. If you’re into natural beauty then both the north and the very south will leave you breathless with epic high mountains and endless sand seas. If you’re looking for culture then Karachi and Lahore are absolute highlights with many colours, smells and sounds that will assault your senses in a good way! While travel to Pakistan is not really relaxing like Thailand or Bali it is definitely an amazing tourist destination that more people should venture too!
Rules
Pakistan is a very warm and open country, however it is also a conservative Muslim country and this should be taken into account when planning a trip. While not as conservative or restrictive as Afghanistan with a dress code, it is a good idea for both men and women to dress on the conservative side when in the country. Women may also want to wear a headscarf to avoid unwanted attention.
Dress Code
There is no legal dress code for people in Pakistan, however it is a traditional society, so it’s best to dress modestly when in the country, especially for women. Nearly all men in Pakistan wear the traditional shalwar kameez which is a long shirt made from a thin material shirt which covers down to just above the knee. This is worn with long pants, which are made out of a thin flowing fabric.
Different variations of this can be found throughout the country which reflect the climate and cultural factors. Men will also wear the karakul which is similar to a fez hat. People in the Pakhtunkhwa area of the NWFA will also wear the pakol hat, which is also common in Afghanistan.
People in Baluchistan will also wear a long robe called a jama which goes all the way down to the ankles and is usually made out of a thicker material to protect from the strong winds in the area.
When traveling to Pakistan, especially in the mountainous north, the weather can be very unpredictable, so it’s a good idea to have a jacket with you just in case, even in summer.
Topics of discussion
Politics can be a sensitive topic in Pakistan, especially when discussing the current political climate as well as topics such as women’s rights. This of course will depend on the person you speak to, however as a rule of thumb it’s best to not speak to a random person straight away about the leader of the country or any big international issues you may have heard about.
You may also get asked about your religion as well (which is common in the region). If you are agnostic or atheist and they ask if you have a religion, it’s better to just say yes as the concept of not having a religion is a very foreign concept and not a welcomed ideology. They generally hold much more respect for someone of a different religion than someone who claims to have no religion.
Religion
The state religion of Pakistan is Islam which accounts for roughly 96% of the population. This is broken down into approximately 75-95% Sunni and 5-25% Shia. The majority of Sunnis in Pakistan practise a form of Islam called Sufism which can be described as a form of Islamic mysticism.
With Pakistan’s enormous population it makes it the second most populous Muslim nation on the planet, and Karachi in the south of the country is the biggest Muslim city in the world with a population around 15 million.
There is a sizable Hindu minority in the south of the country, mostly in the Sindh region, not surprisingly, along the border area with India. Even though Pakistan’s constitution guarantees religious freedom and protection, Hindus have often been the target of religious motivated violence which has led many to immigrate to India or further abroad.
Christians make up about 1% of the population and there are also other minority religions such as Jainism and Zoroastrianism. Pakistan’s Kalash people, who only exist in Pakistan, also follow their own unique religion which can’t be found anywhere else. This religion is a form of Animism mixed with mystic Hinduism.
Politics
If you’ve watched the news recently you may have seen some of the interested dynamics that are Pakistan’s politics. This is certainly a country that is extremely interesting to research, but also when in Pakistan we would avoid bringing up these topics with people you don’t know. Pakistanis are very passionate when it comes to politics and riots relating to elections or scandals is certainly not uncommon.
The executive power of politics in Pakistan is vested in the Prime Minister who is head of the national cabinet. The current Prime Minister is Shehbaz Sharif and has been in the position since March 2024.
Ethnicity
Pakistan is an extremely diverse and multi-cultural country. Even the name Pakistan stands for the countries biggest ethnic groups - Punjabs, Afghans, Kashmiri and Balochi's.
The largest ethnic group in Pakistan are Punjabs who make up around 38% of the population. Pashtuns represent 18% while Sindhi are the next biggest group making up 14% of Pakistan.
There are literally hundreds of different groups in Pakistan including Saraikis, Muhajirs, Balochis, Brahuis, Meos, Shina, Baltis, Kashmiris, Paharis, Kalesh, Siddis, Uzbeks, Nuristanis, Pamiris and Uyghurs.
Photography
It is definitely ok to take photos while in the country and many locals will want to take their photo with you. Restrictions on photography are largely the same as many other countries with security and military-related people off limits. It is also not a good idea for men to take photos of women unless approached. Pakistan is a conservative Muslim country and this could cause trouble even if it wasn’t your intention.
Hotels
Pakistan has a wide variety of accommodation from luxury to very basic. Many people love to stay in guest houses when visiting the north, which are usually very basic dwellings with a family. There are also numerous 3-star hotels which are available in all cities throughout the country with big chain hotels also having branches in each of the main cities like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
Nightlife
While alcohol is not illegal it is not easy to find, meaning that nightlife in Pakistan is a bit different to the West. This doesn’t mean that there is no nightlife though! Pakistani’s love to eat out at night and streets are often very busy till late, especially in larger cities as this is when the weather is usually much cooler.
If you are a foreigner and looking for a drink you will be able to go to some of the expat clubs located in the big cities as well as some hotel bars, however for some of the hotels you need to be a guest and a non-Muslim to be able to enter.
Shopping
Whether its textiles, spices or just souvenirs you will definitely find all kinds of great things to buy in Pakistan. Personally, for us, we think Pakistan is a great place to get things tailor-made particularly some local clothes known as a ‘sharwal Kamis’ which are perfect for local weddings or for you to wear on your Saiga trip to Afghanistan.
When is the best time to visit
Due to its great size, different areas of the country are better at different times. The south near Karachi and Baluchistan are much more pleasant in the “winter” months from November to March when temperatures are not completely scorching. The north however is better in warmer months when there is less snow.
What to eat
Pakistani food is a big mix of foods throughout the region and each area of Pakistan has different specialities. The south is known for its seafood fresh from the Persian Gulf, while the rest of the country loves grilled meats like mutton and chicken. Curry type dishes are very common with the national food ‘nihari’ being available almost everywhere with is spicy and oily flavours. There are many vegetarian options available as well, however it is advised to steer clear of fresh uncooked vegetables. For more information on the food of Pakistan check out our Food and Drink guide .
