🏔️ Pakistan

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Costs

Prices here are about 24% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

READ FIRST - safety

For parts of Pakistan, many governments counsel caution or recommend against travel, above all Balochistan, parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and areas close to the Afghan border. Border and airspace closures can result from tensions with neighbouring countries. Shortly before booking, read your own government's advisories and those of other governments; let your embassy (or whichever country represents yours) know where you will be; and use a local guide or a reputable operator. Ask your operator about permits, which some northern areas need.

Entry

The visa rules that apply depend on your passport, so before booking, consult the nearest Pakistani embassy as well as the official online visa portal. Agents charge far more, so apply only through the official site. Before the portal opens, it may display an access check. Bring a return ticket, hotel details and a passport that is valid for 6 months.

Culture and laws - take note

Hospitality is what this conservative Muslim country is famous for. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees; the shalwar kameez is welcome, and women often carry a scarf. Eat and give with the right hand. Say 'Assalamu alaikum' as a greeting. Restrictions apply to alcohol, and drugs bring severe penalties. During Ramadan daily life changes, and eating or drinking in public in daylight should be avoided. Photographing people requires asking first, particularly women, and military or government sites must not be photographed. Summer heat is extreme, and monsoon rain in July-September causes floods and landslides, so check conditions on mountain roads. Stick to bottled water for drinking. Halal food is available everywhere.

Emergency

Reported numbers: police 15, rescue and ambulance 1122 (in many cities), fire 16 - confirm with your hotel or guide.

Good to know

Cash, cards and cash machines

The currency is the Pakistani rupee, and Canadian advice describes the economy as primarily cash-based, with some larger establishments accepting cards. Currency can be exchanged at all international airports. Cash machines are available in main cities but may not accept foreign debit cards, so it advises planning ahead and checking with the State Bank of Pakistan before travelling.

Local laws and customs

Drugs, alcohol, dress and blasphemy

UK advice says possessing even small amounts of illegal drugs can bring a prison sentence, and that public drinking and drunkenness are illegal; non-Muslims need a licence to drink. Men and women should cover shoulders and legs in public. It advises against photographing military sites, airports and infrastructure such as bridges and dams. Blasphemy is broadly defined, includes social media posts, and carries severe penalties. Canadian advice says Pakistani law prohibits sexual acts between people of the same sex.

Taxis and scams

Taxi advice differs

Street taxis, e-taxis and online taxi apps are best avoided, UK travel advice says; use only taxis from reputable, licensed companies, where you phone and the operator contacts a driver. Canadian advice says to avoid public transportation including taxis and trains, and suggests radio-controlled taxis from reputable companies or taxi hailing apps in major cities.

Who can help

local government

Gilgit-Baltistan Police Tourist Police

Helps with: Tourism police unit of the Gilgit-Baltistan Police, deployed at tourist destinations in that region. Its page lists a Tourist Police Helpline, and the force's main office is in Gilgit.

Who qualifies: Visitors in Gilgit-Baltistan only. This unit does not cover the rest of Pakistan.

Phone: 1422

Email: info@gbp.gov.pk

Address: C.P.O (Central Police Office), Konodass, near Jinnah Bridge Road, Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

ngo

Pakistan Red Crescent Society

Helps with: Pakistan's national Red Crescent society. Its 1030 helpline is described as offering ambulance support, blood donation, first aid and psychosocial care; it also works on disaster response and restoring family links.

Who qualifies: People in Pakistan who need its first aid, ambulance, blood or disaster relief services.

Phone: 1030

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

Helps with: Pakistan's national disaster management body. It runs an emergency helpline and a WhatsApp contact, and issues alerts and travel guidance for disaster-prone areas.

Who qualifies: Anyone in Pakistan affected by a disaster or reporting one.

Phone: 051-111-157-157

Email: info@ndma.gov.pk

Address: Main Murree Road, near ITP Office, Islamabad

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Pakistan

Helps with: The UN migration agency. Its Islamabad office handles migration matters in Pakistan; its contact page lists an email and a separate migration health department.

Who qualifies: Migrants and migration-related cases in Pakistan. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.

Email: iomislamabad@iom.int

Address: Islamabad, Pakistan

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

Police emergency number 15

Helps with: Reaches the police. UK government travel advice lists this number.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.

Phone: 15

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

Ambulance and fire emergency number 1122

Helps with: Reaches the ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.

Phone: 1122

Source · checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Lahore LahoreLively food streets and Mughal landmarks such as Shalimar Gardens, Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque are what this cultural capital is famous for.Photo: Rohaan Bhatti, CC BY-SA 3.0 Islamabad IslamabadPlanned and green, this capital has the striking Faisal Mosque and trails for hiking in the Margalla Hills.Photo: Fassifarooq, CC BY-SA 4.0 Karachi KarachiOn the Arabian Sea, the largest city doubles as a business hub, with busy bazaars, Clifton Beach and the Quaid's Mausoleum.Photo: Ktownboy103, CC0 Hunza Valley Hunza ValleyOrchards glowing in autumn, snowy peaks, blue Attabad Lake and the old Baltit and Altit forts fill this mountain valley.Photo: FaizanAhmad, CC BY-SA 3.0 Skardu SkarduCalm mountain lakes and the high Deosai Plains lie close to this entry point for K2 and the Karakoram.Photo: S SHER XAMAN photography, CC BY-SA 4.0 Swat Valley Swat ValleyIn winter, skiers head to Malam Jabba in this green valley, which also has Buddhist Gandhara ruins, forests and rivers.Photo: Bilalzahid12345, CC BY-SA 4.0

City selection based on: Pakistan travel press (Gulf News) and tour-operator destination lists; no official arrival statistics by city found

Festivals and events

culture

Lahore Literary Festival

around Feb-Mar 2027 · Lahore

The Alhamra arts centre is the setting for music and talks.

sport

Shandur Polo Festival

around Jul 2027 · Shandur (Gilgit-Baltistan)

Polo is played at 3,700 m, on the highest ground for the sport in the world.

culture

Independence Day (14 August)

14 Aug 2027 · Islamabad

Celebrations take place all around, with flags and fireworks.

culture

Lahore Literary Festival

around Feb-Mar 2028 · Lahore

The Alhamra arts centre is the setting for music and talks.