The Singapore Forum

So i am going for business in Karachi.

I will have one - possibly 2 - weekend(s) for travelling or doing something.

I have heard terrible things... but given that I grew up in a place where, if you read all the news, you would think that you would be held up or kidnapped at gunpoint as soon as you stepped off the plane and clearly that was just 80% media-hype, I am hoping for the best.

Anyone been and have any tips for Karachi or weekend trips from Karachi to somewhere else in Pakistan?

Can't help I'm afraid but....

a good friend of mine grew up there and used to tell stories of an idyllic childhood spent mucking around on the beach and in the rock pools.

Her mum bought her a t-shirt with the legendary slogan ........................


"I caught crabs in Karachi"


Not sure if you can still buy them.

Went to Karachi and Lahore a couple of years back. Lahore was ok to walk around (as a white guy) in certain areas and had a lovely Fort. Karachi was back then (2006) already a no-go zone. Not sure how it is now

Mr Crom was in Karachi in either 2006 or 2007 - I think it was 2006. He loved it. I think you need a driver to get around, but that's not unusual.

Explored Pakistan from top to bottom back in the day

Been thru the Khyber Pass, Peshawar - been all through the SWAT valley where now the Taliban allegedly run free
& way up to Chitral one of the highest places on earth in more ways than 1. Traveled mostly by jeep.

Spent time in Karachi as well. Its a vibrant village of millions is my take on it but nothing in particular except its a typical busy South Indian beehive & soaking up the energy out on the streets can be invigorating on a good day.

Even back then it was dodgy in PK -my traveling companion at the time a buxom & adventuresome lass named Rosanne from Brazil was attacked in full daylight right outside the morning market up in Swat when she went out alone. She got pretty beat up but she did not let them spirit her away, passport & travelers checks got lifted & because of that we were stuck in PK for a good while, getting travel docs for a Brazilian to move forward to India where a new passport awaited was like something out of the movie Brazil.

I have a sister-in-law now posted in Islamabad with US Mission. She has to be there alone -my brother (hubby) & kids cant come along. Their last positing was Baku & the family especially enjoyed that.

I reckon Karachi is pretty unsafe these days for anyone especially for a Western Woman
If you're there for a two weeks for biz hopefully your local hosts/partners can help w/valid up-to-date info
Pls dont go out alone -if you want to go about have some local men as side by side minders

Oooh my friend from Canada (who is on this forum but I can't remember his name here) has just returned from a year leaving in Pakistan and can help you out if you'd like me to connect you.....

chocolate wrote:Oooh my friend from Canada (who is on this forum but I can't remember his name here) has just returned from a year leaving in Pakistan and can help you out if you'd like me to connect you.....

It take a year to leave Pakistan?

*living* sigh...

Pls let us know how it goes

I for one would love some 1st hand accounts of Pakistan at this point in time

Hmmmm i was planning on doing some travelling either side of the business meetings... Lahore, Khyber Pass etc, given that Karachi gets such a bad rap.

Might have to rethink that one. My HQ in Aus is going a bit nuts on this, sending me emails from the insurance company saying I need an armed-bloody-escort. Every so slightly OTT...

I am off to have a look at the LP Thorn Tree forum for some real uptodate info.

JJ wrote:Hmmmm i was planning on doing some travelling either side of the business meetings... Lahore, Khyber Pass etc, given that Karachi gets such a bad rap.

Might have to rethink that one. My HQ in Aus is going a bit nuts on this, sending me emails from the insurance company saying I need an armed-bloody-escort. Every so slightly OTT...

I am off to have a look at the LP Thorn Tree forum for some real uptodate info.

I know my friend pretty much never went anywhere without a driver / someone.....but armed escort might be over the top

My company's setting up an office in Pakistan and insurance seems to be the biggest cost. I heard about the insurance company's requirement for armed escort, and something about kidnapping and acts of terrorism not being covered. Sounds like everyone's overreacting to cover their own ar$es. I'd still go and do stuff but avoid the touristy areas, and probably hire a local fixer/guide. Oh and I'd wear something that cover my legs and arms... loosely draped scarf on the head would help too so you don't stand out too much (although JJ probably won't stand out as much as I would in Pakistan!)

JJ wrote:Might have to rethink that one. My HQ in Aus is going a bit nuts on this, sending me emails from the insurance company saying I need an armed-bloody-escort. Every so slightly OTT....

Not OTT at all in my view. I recently watched a documentary about a guy who was dragged off and framed by police, who were actually paid by the local Mafia to kidnap the guy and demand a ransom. Admittedly it was India not Pakistan but same rules probably apply to kidnap in Pakistan. If you do run into trouble you can't expect any help or sympathy from the local authorities unless you pay them a lot of money. It was also clear in the documentary that the American Embassy had no power to do anything. Welcome the armed guard!

I also agree with the comments about covering up head to toe. Having lived in Saudi Arabia for five years I can attest that local zealots are everywhere and will take any excuse to persecute a western woman who is not 100% following the rules. Whatever you do, don't try and assert your rights as a Western woman. You don't have any!

our neighbour has to travel to Paki on a regular basis for work (german engineering firm), and it's everything as bad as they say. he gets armed escorts and no opportunity to sightsee as it is particulary unsafe for any 'westerner'. frankly, he is glad to be out of the country in one piece every time he has been there and on a few occasions last year actually cancelled trips due to the peaks in threat levels for foreigners.

Oh well, here goes... all done and dusted, fly out on Monday... I will make the call on whether want to stay on for a few days and do some travelling while I am there...

Take care , hopefully it will be an interesting (and safe) trip!

Buy the Mango Juice in a bottle sold next to Coca-Cola everywhere
One of my favourite things in Pakistan -drank it every day

Nice curries w/meat as they're Muslim not Hindu

Am a complete no no to go to pakistan....