Travel Insurance Pakistan

Business Practices

Ties should be worn for important business appointments. Businessmen, government officials and service personnel commonly use English. Appointments should be made, remembering that businesses are usually closed on Muslim holidays. Visiting cards should be used. Men usually greet other men with a handshake. Do not use first names until invited to do so, and the only title necessary for normal use is "Doctor", and only for medical doctors. Office hours 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Banks are closed on Friday. During Ramadan, banking and business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Crime

Crime is a serious concern for foreigners throughout Pakistan, with violent crime increasing faster than any other category. Carjackings, armed robberies, house invasions and other violence against civilians have increased steadily in the major urban areas. Lahore and Karachi, in particular, experience high levels of crime. They are large cities beset by poverty, high unemployment, and underpaid, under-manned police forces. Travelers in Karachi are encouraged to use hotel shuttles from the airport rather than taxis, which are subject to police harassment, especially after dark. Petty crime, especially theft of personal property, is common throughout Pakistan. Karachi and the southern parts of Punjab province have experienced protracted political or sectarian violence that, although not explicitly directed at foreigners, poses a potential danger to travelers. During the Islamic religious observances of Ramadan and Moharram, sectarian rivalry and violence often increase. Northern Areas - Visitors wishing to trek in Gilgit, Hunza, Chitral and the upper Swat valley should use only licensed guides and tourist agencies. There have been occasional assaults and in 1998 a tourist who was not accompanied by a guide was murdered in Gilgit. Northwest Frontier Province - Because of dangerous security visitors are advised against travel to the tribal areas, even if traveling overland to the Khyber Pass. Substantial areas within the Northwest Frontier Province are designated tribal areas and are outside the normal jurisdiction of government law enforcement authorities. Visitors risk being caught in armed clashes between feudal tribal factions or smugglers. Carjackings and the abduction of foreigners are occasionally reported from the tribal areas. If visitors must enter the tribal areas, a permit from the Home and Tribal Affairs Department is required. The permit may stipulate that an armed escort must accompany the visitor. Even in the settled areas of the Northwest Frontier Province, there is occasional ethnic, sectarian, and political violence as well as anti-foreign rhetoric; foreigners should steer clear of such demonstrations or known areas of conflict. However, the monthly steam train excursion for tourists through the Khyber Pass is well protected by local authorities. Punjab Province - Sectarian violence decreased considerably during the first half of 1999, from the high 1998 levels of violence, which resulted in dozens of deaths. While Americans are not targets of this violence, the foreign community is not immune, as evidenced by the 1997 assassination of five Iranians in an attack widely believed to have had sectarian overtones. As a precaution against possible dangers resulting from sectarian violence, visitors are cautioned to avoid public transportation and crowded areas. Sindh Province - In the areas of Karachi and Hyderabad there have been recurring outbreaks of ethnic and sectarian violence characterized by random bombings, shootings and mass demonstrations. These have resulted in deaths and the imposition of curfews. There have also been numerous incidents of kidnappings for ransom. In rural Sindh Province, the security situation is hazardous, especially in regard to overland travel. Foreigners have occasionally been kidnapped and, in a 1995 incident, the foreign kidnap victim was killed in a subsequent gunfight between police and bandits. The Government of Pakistan has recommended that travelers limit their movements in Sindh Province to the city of Karachi. If visitors must go into the interior of Sindh Province, the Government of Pakistan requests that travelers inform police authorities well in advance of the trip so that necessary police security arrangements can be made. Baluchistan Province - The province of Baluchistan, which borders both Iran and Afghanistan, is notorious for cross-border smuggling. Armed battles between clans are frequent. Because provincial police presence is limited, travelers wishing to visit the interior of Baluchistan should consult with the province?s Home Secretary. Advance permission from provincial authorities is required for travel into some areas. Local authorities have detained travelers who lack permission. Although Quetta, the provincial capital, is quieter than the interior, it has experienced serious ethnic violence that has led to gun battles in the streets and the imposition of curfews.

Hotels

There are international-standard hotels in the major cities of Pakistan. Four and five-star hotels in business centers include the Avari Towers, Sheraton, Pearl Continental, Marriott and the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza in Karachi; the Avari, Pearl Continental and Holiday Inn in Lahore; the Faisalabad Serena in Faisalabad; the Marriott, Holiday Inn and Best Western in Islamabad; the Pearl Continental in Rawalpindi; the Pearl Continental in Peshawar; and the Quetta Serena in Quetta.

Communications

Telephone IDD service is available and the country code is 92. The outgoing international code is 00. A fax service was introduced in 1986 by the Pakistan telephone and telegraph department and is available in most major hotels. Cellular phones are available for visiting businessmen and are at times more reliable for international communications than the local conventional telephones. Internet facility and e-mail services are currently available in all the major cities of Pakistan. General Post Offices in major cities offer 24-hour services. Important letters should be registered or insured.

Electricity

is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round 2- or 3-pin plugs are in use. Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two- or three-pin plugs are in use.

Plug Types

C,D

Food And Dining

Pakistani cuisine is based on curry or masala (hot and spicy) sauces accompanying chicken, lamb, shrimps and a wide choice of vegetables.

National specialties:
? Biryani (seasoned rice with mutton, chicken and yogurt).
? Sag gosht (spinach and lamb curry).
? Shish kebabs (charcoal-grilled meat on skewers).
? Shami-kebabs (patties of chopped meat fried in ghee or butter).
? Halwa (sweetmeat made with eggs, carrots, maize cream, sooji and nuts).
? Firni (similar to vanilla custard). National drinks: ?Tea (drunk strong with milk and often very sweet). Things to know: Alcohol may be bought at major hotels by visitors who have been issued a Liquor Permit from the Excise and Taxation Office. Wine is expensive and only available in upscale restaurants. Pakistani-brewed beer is widely available, as are canned carbonated drinks. There are no bars since there are strict laws concerning alcohol, and it is illegal to drink in public. Waiter service is provided in the larger hotels and restaurants. Visitors should avoid drinking water from the tap; bottled water is available everywhere, but it is necessary to make sure it comes in properly sealed plastic bottles.
Tipping:
Most high-class hotels and restaurants add a 10 per cent service charge. Other tipping is discretionary.
Nightlife
Top hotels have bars and dancing but there is little Western-style nightlife. Cinemas in the large cities show international as well as Pakistani films. There are plenty of cultural events featuring traditional music and dance organized by the Pakistani Arts Academy throughout the year. Festivals and annual celebrations are colorful and lively.