Over 10 international airlines fly to Pakistan from more than 40 countries. Most flights arrive at Karachi and Lahore.
Following is the list of airlines that fly to Pakistan either directly or indirectly.
National of most countries need a visa to enter Pakistan. It is safer and easier to arrive with a valid tourist visa obtained in your home country.
Visas are required by all except:
Nationals of Iceland, Maldives Republic, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Western Samoa and Zambia for a stay of 90days or less.
National of Nepal for a stay of 30days or less.
Single entry and Double entry generally for a maximum stay of three months. A multiple entry visa is also available allowing six journeys in a total period not exceeding one year, maximum three months stay at one time. Price of Visa varies according to nationality.
Certain nationals are issued with visas free of charge, but they must be obtained prior to travel. Most visas are valid for only six months from the date of issue, though British nationals can some time get a two year multiple entry visa. On an ordinary tourist visa issued in your own country you can stay a maximum of three months, but visa extension can (in theory) be obtained from any of Pakistan’s regional passport offices, though you may find you have (in fact) to go to Islamabad or Karachi to get it. The length of extension is up to the offices in charge.
Both traveler’s cheques and cash can easily be changed throughout the country as there are banks and money changers in all the Airports and in international standard hotels but commissions on cheques can be higher than cash. It is best to take only US$ or Pounds sterling cheques or cash, as they are more credible. The unit of currency in Pakistan is Rupee, which is divided into 100 paisas. Amount equivalent to US$10,000 of foreign currency or traveler’s cheques may be brought into and out of Pakistan and you may reconvert all unused rupees back into foreign currency. Save all your encashment receipts, as you will need to show them, not only to reconvert your rupees, but also if you try to buy an overseas airline ticket (other than PIA) using rupees. If you need money sent to you in Pakistan, it is quicker and more reliable to have a bank draft sent by courier or express registered mail to an address you can use, e.g. your embassy, rather than have it transferred bank to bank, which can take over a week.
Exchange Rate Indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to movements of the Pakistani Rupee against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| CURRENCY | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $ 1.00 | 90 | 100 | 108 | 100 | 104 |
| £ 1.00 | 140 | 155 | 175 | 150 | 130 |
Pakistan offers great variety in its climate, from cool mountain pastures beside the glaciers, to warm river valleys and burning deserts. Arriving at Karachi, Islamabad or Lahore, the first impression is of tree-lined streets and well watered gardens. But only the central strip of Pakistan, from Lahore to the top mountain slopes north of Islamabad is favored with refreshing natural rain and moderate temperatures; most of Pakistan’s agricultural land is the result of extensive irrigation.
June and July are the hottest month, with midday temperatures over 40 Degree Celsius in most places. In upper Sindh and neighbouring Balochistan, the temperature occasionally goes into 50 Degree Celsius. Naturally, it is cooler at higher altitudes, especially in the mountain valleys of Swat and Kaghan. December, January and February are the coldest months. At this time, Sindh, Southern Punjab are cool with day time temperatures of 10-25 Degree Celsius. Islamabad in winter is crisp during the day and cold at night. Above 1500meters, days are cold and nights are very cold.
KARACHI
Karachi is best during the winter months from mid-November to mid-February, when the day time temperature is 15-20 Degree Celsius. In summer the temperature hovers between 35-45 Degree Celsius. During the monsoon season in July and August the city is very humid, though there is little rainfall.
LAHORE
October to March is the best time to visit Lahore, when days are crisp and nights are cold. Spring is short but intense, with flowers providing a riot of color in March. The hottest months are May and June before the monsoon begins when temperature may go up to 40-48 Degree
Celsius.
Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar have international-class hotels but good accommodation outside these major towns is in fairly short supply. Best hotel are usually heavily booked, especially in Islamabad and Lahore, so advance reservation is essential.
International Standard (US$ 800- 1000)
Lahore and food-lovers go together. There are numerous restaurants having unlimited variety of excellent dishes. Pakistani food is similar to that of Northern India, with a dollop of Middle Eastern influence thrown in for good measure. This means menus peppered with baked and deep-fried breads (roti, chapatis, puri, halwa, and nan), meat curries, lentil mush (daal), spicy spinach, cabbage, peas and rice. Street snacks-samosas and tikkas( spiced and barbecued beef, mutton or chicken)- are delicious, while a range of desserts will satisfy any sweet tooth.