Pakistan

Travel tips for Pakistan: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Cash is essential. Recent reports confirm Pakistan is a heavily cash-based economy. While upscale hotels, malls, and high-end restaurants in major cities accept cards, cash is essential for everyday spending, transport, and rural areas. Foreign cards can also be unreliable at many local ATMs.

Try the food

Nihari (نہاری): A rich, slow-cooked beef or mutton stew flavored with bone marrow and a myriad of spices.
Biryani (بریانی): A fragrant, layered rice dish cooked with marinated meat, saffron, and aromatic spices.
Haleem (حلیم): A thick, savory porridge made by slow-cooking wheat, barley, lentils, and meat until they blend into a smooth paste.

Say it in Urdu

Hello: السلام علیکم (Assalam-o-alaikum)
Thank you: شکریہ (Shukriya)
Please: برائے مہربانی (Baraye meharbani)
Excuse me: معاف کیجئے (Maaf kijiye)
How much is this?: یہ کتنے کا ہے؟ (Yeh kitne ka hai?)
The bill please: بل لے آئیں (Bill le aein)
Yes / No: ہاں / نہیں (Haan / Nahi)
Goodbye: خدا حافظ (Khuda hafiz)

Essentials

Plugs: Type C / Type D
Voltage: 230V, 50Hz
Driving: Left side
Tap water: Avoid — buy bottled
Emergency: 15 (police), 1122 (ambulance), 16 (fire)
SIM tip: Purchase a local SIM card from Jazz or Zong at the airport or official franchise stores, as you will need your passport and visa for biometric registration.

Etiquette

Dress modestly by covering shoulders and knees, and always use your right hand for eating, greeting, and passing items.