Pakistan

I had the chance to travel to Pakistan twice in 2015 and 2016 while I was working in Washington DC. It was not only the furthest I had ever traveled from home, but also a life-changing experience.

The colors all around me, the culture shock and those good times will forever stay in my memory.

WELCOME TO Pakistan!

Basic facts

Population: 225 million
Currency: Pakistani rupee (PKR). Check the current exchange rate here.
Language: Urdu and English are the official languages in the country although other regional languages exist.
Territories: Pakistan is composed of four provinces (Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh), and one federal territory (Islamabad Capital Territory).
Main cities: Islamabad (capital), Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi.
Fun fact: did you know the country produces up to 70% of the world’s total production of footballs?

Things to do

Visit the capital Islamabad

Explore the amazing heritage in Lahore

Check out the coastal city of Karachi

Good to know when travelling to Pakistan

Is Pakistan safe, especially as a woman? As a woman traveling to the country, I got asked this question a lot. My answer is YES with some caveats. Of course we hear plenty of bad and concerning news about the security situation in Pakistan but I felt safe. However, I remember browsing the hotel where we would stay in Islamabad upon arrival and seeing that it had been bombed a few years back. Since I traveled there for work, we had a driver taking us to meetings and there were plenty of checkpoints at international hotels and official buildings. This being said, keep your eyes and ears wide open, avoid dangerous areas and trust your gut feeling if you ever feel insecure or at risk.
Religion: Pakistan is a Muslim country. Hence, you should observe some standard rules such as covering you hair, neck and shoulders to show respect when visiting a mosque or other premises.
Animals on the road: when driving around the country, you might be shocked to see animals crossing but this is the norm in Pakistan. Sit back and enjoy!
Food: Pakistani cuisine is generally spicy, so if you don’t like it, try asking for it to be milder or make sure to have some yoghurt sauce at hand!