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"As often as possible, do what others are
not doing: Go off-season instead of on, go
in bad weather instead of good, walk when
others ride, laugh when others cry...."
- Ed Buryn, 1971
Car Hires / Taxi Service
There are car hire facilities at all
International Airports. Agencies also
function in major hotels. In the streets you
can get yellow cabs or taxis. Metered taxis
of different capacities are available
everywhere in big cities. In case of
difficulty, get the assistance of Police
officials on duty. On some occasions you may
also need to exercise some bargaining as
well. Try asking a few taxi drivers located
at different places to get a clear idea of
the charges.
Car Rental
Apart from a valid driving license for
self-driven rented cars, firms insist on a
minimum age of 21 and may refuse to rent a
car to any one over 60. Pakistan observes,
"Right Hand Drive". Distances on the roads
are indicated in Roman numerical and also
mentioned in Urdu. Sometimes there may be
confusion between kilometers and miles.
Within the city, especially on busy roads,
it is better to drive within 50 kilometers
(31 miles) per hour.
Railways
The railroad network is extensive, but when
traveling, go first class or in an
air-conditioned coach for comfort. Ideally,
rent a "Tourist Car" which can be attached
to any train. Fares are cheap by Western
Standards and bookings should be done in
advance both for seats and sleepers.
Pakistan Railways also offer special
concessions to tourists and well maintained
Rest Houses are also offered as and when
available.
Communications
Post & Telegraph Services: Countrywide
postal, telegraphic and telephone facilities
are available. Fax and telex services are
also available. There are numerous Cyber
Clubs throughout major cities of Pakistan
which can provide you with economical
Internet facility as well.
Special services offered by Pakistan Post
Office include:
» Local Express Service (LES);
» Urgent Mail Service (UMS);
» Air Express & Int'l Speed Post (ISP);
» Surface Air Lifted Mail (SAL).
» Telephone & Exchanges
Telephone facility is available in almost
all the cities. More than 100 cities are
linked with nation wide direct dialing
system. For codes consult any telephone
directory. Cellular mobile telephones are
also available in big cities. They can also
be hired on daily basis. Pay card phone
booths are also installed at important
places in big cities.
Courier Services
Courier services for sending your documents
and letters are available in private sector
as well. These services are more expensive
and the delivery is taken from the sender's
address to the addressee. These service are
also available for international points.
Accommodation
Pakistan's main cities - the Federal
Capital, Islamabad and its twin city
Rawalpindi, as well as the Provincial
capitals, except Quetta i.e. Lahore,
Karachi, and Peshawar have international
standard 5 - Star accommodation for
tourists. In Quetta, the Provincial capital
of Balochistan, a 4-Star Serena Hotel is
located. Serena Hotel is also located in
Faisalabad, Gilgit and Hunza. In all these
touristically important cities, good
international standard accommodation is
available. Main cities have hotels suitable
for every pocket. Tourists in search of
cheaper accommodation should try the local
Youth Hostels or YMCA's hostels which offer
clean accommodation and wholesome atmosphere
at cheaper fare then the 3 or 4-Star hotels.
The Rest Houses owned by the various
Government Departments all over the country
are also available for tourists after
advance bookings. This is, however, a
cumbersome process as one has to reach the
right official who can only rent out the
Rest House to a tourist if it is not
required by a government official during
that period. In the Northern Areas and Hill
Stations, however, Rest Houses have been
built by local authorities, especially for
travelers and tourists. The accommodation at
these places is good and at places
watchmen-cum-chefs are available which
reduces the expenses of board considerable.
PTDC operates Rest Houses or Motels in a
number of beautiful places where tourists
go. These include Ziarat near Quetta, Taxila.
Moenjodaro and various hill towns in the
Northern Areas.
Banks
The State Bank of Pakistan is the Central
Bank. There are domestic commercial banks -
Allied Bank, Habib Bank, National Bank of
Pakistan, United Bank, Cooperative Banks, 8
development finance organizations and 15
principal foreign banks including ANZ
Grindlays, Abn Amro, Emirates Bank
International, American Express and City
Bank.
Banking Timings
Office Hours: 9 am to 5 pm with one hour
break from Monday to Thursday and with two
hours break on Friday. Saturday is half
working day from 9 am to 1:30 pm without
break. Sunday is off.
Counter Services : 9 am to 1:00 pm
from Monday to Thursday and 9 am to 12:30 on
Friday and Saturday, with no break. Special
timings may be observed during the month of
Ramadan, and you should make sure of these
timings if you happen to be in the country
in this holy month.
Credit Cards
Major credit cards such as American Express,
Visa, Master Card, and others besides Rupee
credit cards launched by National Bank of
Pakistan & Habib Bank etc. can be used for
your shopping and other transactions.
Laundry & Hair Dressing
First class hotels offer 24-hour laundering
and dry cleaning services as well as hair
dressing facilities. Many Hair Dressing
Establishments and Beauty Parlors are
available in all cities. These are generally
closed on Mondays.
Medical Facilities
All the cities have modern hospitals and
Medical Centers staffed by western-trained
specialists. There are private clinics as
well. The European standard medical
facilities are pretty cheap. In the rural
areas, however, you should be careful to
carry your own drugs, which are easily
available in all towns. Foreigners,
especially from the developed countries are
advised to be careful of their drinking
water. Outside the 4 or 5 Star Hotels, the
water may not have been boiled and they
should make inquiries about it and ensure
the standard of drinking water, which goes
well with their health. They can however,
get disposable mineral water bottles at
economical rates. Tourists are also advised
to vaccine themselves from their home
country before coming to Pakistan for
diseases like Hepatitis B.
Liquor
Liquor is completely banned for Muslims in
Pakistan. Foreigners and non-Muslims can
have it on permits or in hotels wherever
available. It cannot be imported in baggage.
Import of liquor is banned except for the
mountaineering, trekking and scientific
expeditions. The process for getting a
permit is to get a certificate from a
Tourist Information Center and then call at
the Excise and Taxation Office where a
nominal fee is charged. In a first class
hotel you can buy liquor and enjoy it in
your rooms. Beer and some other drinks are
produced locally. These are less expensive
than the imported ones. The standard
however, is just reasonable.
Tipping
Service charges are added to the bill in
some restaurants and hotels. When tipping
for food and other services, use your
discretion
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