Most dangerous places in Pakistan?

[msb314]

Heard a lot about the lawlessness in Lyari, Karachi and I have driven through it. However, almost EVERYONE tells me never to go there - not even in daylight.

Anyone have other experiences?

Please only state places you or someone you know have been to - not what you have heard on tv or the Internet.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Karachi at one point when I was in middle school was something else. We had drills in school and once had an actual bomb blast right outside and everything was chaos. Still glad I grew up here though

 

[Abdul]

Karachi. Not just limited to Pakistan though, the world.

 

[pakistanisgreat]

i think conditions are far better now.
Things can happen any where and anytime.

 

[msb314]

Karachi at one point when I was in middle school was something else. We had drills in school and once had an actual bomb blast right outside and everything was chaos. Still glad I grew up here though

Karachi. Not just limited to Pakistan though, the world.

Which part of Karachi?

 

[Knight_Rider]

I am from Karachi and lived there in 80s and 90s. The situation was bad due to tension between ethnic groups but it was (and is) far from the ‘Most Dangerous’ place in Pakistan. Its just a mega city and has the usual crimes associated with large cities. I visit Khi frequently and stay out till late when I am there and never really felt threatened (infact the streets are full of people during the evening) and the city is growing in population.

As for the original question, There are areas in interior sindh which are totally under control of Dakus (yes bandits, Sholay movie style), where you can’t really pass through. Then there is “ilaqa Gher” in tribal areas of Pakistan, which was outside of many of Pakistani laws, until recently. I would say these are much more dangerous for anyone who is an outsider.

 

[uberkoen]

I've had the privilege of travelling through most of the country back in the 90's and early 2000's. If I put terrorism related incidents aside I would Karachi at that time was probably one of the most dangerous cities even if you compare it to tribal areas where Pakistani laws don't apply. i've been to those regions and as long as you mind your own business the locals were friendly and welcoming.
[MENTION=4499]king[/MENTION]_Rider already mentioned interior Sindh and yes some places in interior sindh are crazy dangerous but in my opinion nothing compares to certain areas in Balochistan specially villages along the border to Iran. Going there as a Punjabi in early 2000's was extremely terrifying however I absolutely loved the area it's so unique.

 

[Bigboii]

I've had the privilege of travelling through most of the country back in the 90's and early 2000's. If I put terrorism related incidents aside I would Karachi at that time was probably one of the most dangerous cities even if you compare it to tribal areas where Pakistani laws don't apply. i've been to those regions and as long as you mind your own business the locals were friendly and welcoming.
[MENTION=4499]king[/MENTION]_Rider already mentioned interior Sindh and yes some places in interior sindh are crazy dangerous but in my opinion nothing compares to certain areas in Balochistan specially villages along the border to Iran. Going there as a Punjabi in early 2000's was extremely terrifying however I absolutely loved the area it's so unique.

because of the insurgency? and do they actually HATE punjabis or only because insurgents problem that's why you were terrified

 

[uberkoen]

because of the insurgency? and do they actually HATE punjabis or only because insurgents problem that's why you were terrified

There was hatred. Pure hatred. When I went there I was hearing stories from my hosts how there are frequent stops along certain roads where they check all public and private transports for Punjabi's and pull them out. I don't know how true this particular story is but walking around you could feel the eyes on you and it just very uncomfortable.

Again, I'd like to say that the place itself was amazing. I absolutely loved Quetta and would definitely go back it's just when you move into more rural Balochistan and towards the Iran border where things start to get scary.

 

[Sirris]

Where I used to live in Pakistan I felt pretty safe. The only security threat was the common threat from criminals. But luckily I never experienced any such incident. In the local area one or two nearby villages were known for being trouble makers but they had their own historical feuds between them and it never effected any outsiders.

The area also had few Pathan people living there who were mostly poor and used to live in amaturely built wooden huts. As a kid my parents would caution me not to go towards their settlements for they might kidnap me.

I used to live relatively close to the line of control hardly 30km away so there was a general advice to not go towards that direction and that would be the only "dangerous" area adviced to avoid that I could think of. As a sane person I didn't go anywhere near that place and would only look towards that direction curiously from far away. It was the 90s, the time when "Jihad" in Kashmir was at its peak and seeing its golden days.

Unfortunately, I did not have the chance to travel across the country when it were rather peaceful times. Something I regret and hope is possible soon with peace prevailing throughout the whole country.

 

[Sirris]

I've had the privilege of travelling through most of the country back in the 90's and early 2000's. If I put terrorism related incidents aside I would Karachi at that time was probably one of the most dangerous cities even if you compare it to tribal areas where Pakistani laws don't apply. i've been to those regions and as long as you mind your own business the locals were friendly and welcoming.
[MENTION=4499]king[/MENTION]_Rider already mentioned interior Sindh and yes some places in interior sindh are crazy dangerous but in my opinion nothing compares to certain areas in Balochistan specially villages along the border to Iran. Going there as a Punjabi in early 2000's was extremely terrifying however I absolutely loved the area it's so unique.

You are very lucky to have traveled the country and remote areas when things were much more simple and peaceful in the country. I envy you.

There was hatred. Pure hatred. When I went there I was hearing stories from my hosts how there are frequent stops along certain roads where they check all public and private transports for Punjabi's and pull them out. I don't know how true this particular story is but walking around you could feel the eyes on you and it just very uncomfortable.

Again, I'd like to say that the place itself was amazing. I absolutely loved Quetta and would definitely go back it's just when you move into more rural Balochistan and towards the Iran border where things start to get scary.

There have been many recorded incidents in past few years in Balochistan where gunmen would stop the bus of travelers, identify the people from Punjab through identity cards and shoot them. Many of them happen to be poor unskilled labor workers. The stories your host shared sound reliable and are a sad reality.

Many groups in Pakistan try to play dirty politics on issues of minority rights. Minorities should have the freedom to ask for better treatment and rights without fearing for consequences. At the same time some groups with their dirty politics over these issues come across as inauthentic and personal gains of the group leaders seems to be the the main motivation.

It remains an unfortunate reality that nowhere else in the country have such clear large scale incidents of systematic racism and repeated killing of one ethnic group has happened as in Balochistan and it's rarely part of the public discourse.

I can imagine Pakistani army being involved in many atrocities in Balochistan and the area has been neglected for decades by ruling governments but all this negative treatment of Balochistan can in no way be rationalized on basis of Punjabi people's hatred or racism against Baloch people. If it were the case then we'd be seeing systematic hate crimes against Baloch people residing in Punjab by local natives. We don't, not even when hate crimes in Balochistan have increased.

The ruling elite in our country always had their own self-interest and the interest of their families and clans at heart. Some of them happened to be of Punjabi origin and many others didn't. To derive from their bad treatment a general motivation for hatred and racism against an average Punjabi is unjust and disgusting.

Currently, I wouldn't feel safe traveling in Balochistan and it won't be part of my plan for a long time even though if seems to be highly interesting place to visit.

 

[Lonewarrior]

because of the insurgency? and do they actually HATE punjabis or only because insurgents problem that's why you were terrified

whole pakistan is dangerous, dont come .... ok

 

[Ronaldo7]

You are very lucky to have traveled the country and remote areas when things were much more simple and peaceful in the country. I envy you.



There have been many recorded incidents in past few years in Balochistan where gunmen would stop the bus of travelers, identify the people from Punjab through identity cards and shoot them. Many of them happen to be poor unskilled labor workers. The stories your host shared sound reliable and are a sad reality.

Many groups in Pakistan try to play dirty politics on issues of minority rights. Minorities should have the freedom to ask for better treatment and rights without fearing for consequences. At the same time some groups with their dirty politics over these issues come across as inauthentic and personal gains of the group leaders seems to be the the main motivation.

It remains an unfortunate reality that nowhere else in the country have such clear large scale incidents of systematic racism and repeated killing of one ethnic group has happened as in Balochistan and it's rarely part of the public discourse.

I can imagine Pakistani army being involved in many atrocities in Balochistan and the area has been neglected for decades by ruling governments but all this negative treatment of Balochistan can in no way be rationalized on basis of Punjabi people's hatred or racism against Baloch people. If it were the case then we'd be seeing systematic hate crimes against Baloch people residing in Punjab by local natives. We don't, not even when hate crimes in Balochistan have increased.

The ruling elite in our country always had their own self-interest and the interest of their families and clans at heart. Some of them happened to be of Punjabi origin and many others didn't. To derive from their bad treatment a general motivation for hatred and racism against an average Punjabi is unjust and disgusting.

Currently, I wouldn't feel safe traveling in Balochistan and it won't be part of my plan for a long time even though if seems to be highly interesting place to visit.

Are you a Punjabi?

 

[Sirris]

Are you a Punjabi?

Without any shadow of doubt.

 

[msb314]

I am from Karachi and lived there in 80s and 90s. The situation was bad due to tension between ethnic groups but it was (and is) far from the ‘Most Dangerous’ place in Pakistan. Its just a mega city and has the usual crimes associated with large cities. I visit Khi frequently and stay out till late when I am there and never really felt threatened (infact the streets are full of people during the evening) and the city is growing in population.

As for the original question, There are areas in interior sindh which are totally under control of Dakus (yes bandits, Sholay movie style), where you can’t really pass through. Then there is “ilaqa Gher” in tribal areas of Pakistan, which was outside of many of Pakistani laws, until recently. I would say these are much more dangerous for anyone who is an outsider.

I've had the privilege of travelling through most of the country back in the 90's and early 2000's. If I put terrorism related incidents aside I would Karachi at that time was probably one of the most dangerous cities even if you compare it to tribal areas where Pakistani laws don't apply. i've been to those regions and as long as you mind your own business the locals were friendly and welcoming.
[MENTION=4499]king[/MENTION]_Rider already mentioned interior Sindh and yes some places in interior sindh are crazy dangerous but in my opinion nothing compares to certain areas in Balochistan specially villages along the border to Iran. Going there as a Punjabi in early 2000's was extremely terrifying however I absolutely loved the area it's so unique.

Again I ask which part of Karachi? There are some parts that are very nice and others not so much..

 

[Knight_Rider]

North Nazimabad, Gulshan, Liaqutabad and FB area mainly and also often Visited the old city areas like Saddar, Burns road, Garden,Tower etc

I am from an Urdu speaking background, so have lived mainly in the MQM dominated areas of the city.

 

[Slog]

The only place where I didn’t feel safe and actually worried was Kohat

 

[msb314]

The only place where I didn’t feel safe and actually worried was Kohat

Where is Kohat?

 

[Slog]

Where is Kohat?

kpk

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Karachi. Not just limited to Pakistan though, the world.

Not really, Balochistan and certain parts of KPK are more dangerous.

Karachi has improved a lot recently. It's on the same level as Lahore.

 

[rockyboy2018]

Karachi definitely. Over the years lives of common men have become cheaper. I had witnessed killings of innocent people at an arm's length. Brazenly, having not a single fear of killing people over snatching a small cell phone. I had travelled all over Europe/USA/MEXICO past midnight and had no fears whatsoever walking alone. Well, for Karachi you never know when you are going to face such a situation having lived there for good 35 years. My hometown however had become a ******** over the years Thanks to political parties and ****-poor goons for whom a few notes of monetary currency have more value than a human life. Sure, seems like Pakistan is a democratic Islamic country only on paper. At the end of the day, we pakistanis swallow Pakistan zinadabad delusional pills down our throats and try to challenge the world with our fake macho.No wonder we are a laughing stock of the world. Fix our own house first before meddling our nose into the affairs of other countries it is not like we are superpowers when it comes to human rights.

 

[Greenstorm]

There are a few villages in Wanhar most notably 'Matan' where even police hesitate to raid. They are actually quite close to my village but are sort of no go area for strangers.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1233484

 

[Hermoine Green]

kpk

Where is Kohat?

Near Peshawar and DAK.

And, where i live

 

[Badsha]

The only place where I didn’t feel safe and actually worried was Kohat

Are you serious? One of the most docile and safe cities in pakistan.

Actually "ilaqa gher" is also not that unsafe if you're not being a total ***. Maybe I'm biased due to being Pashtun but I've never felt threatened. You just have to know if something happens to you it's unlikely you'll get police help.

I second baloch comments. Cousins have lived their whole lives there and echoed they cant stand punjabis especially locals in remote villages.

 

[Badsha]

The only place where I didn’t feel safe and actually worried was Kohat

Not really, Balochistan and certain parts of KPK are more dangerous.

Karachi has improved a lot recently. It's on the same level as Lahore.

Which part of kpk ? There are some areas that pretty much uninhabited and on the border so obviously those are dangerous but actual cities are not.

 

[Hermoine Green]

Which part of kpk ? There are some areas that pretty much uninhabited and on the border so obviously those are dangerous but actual cities are not.

Kohat is pretty awesome place, small city with beautiful locations and very peaceful. I dont know where [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] went in Kohat, as there are many Villages which are part of Kohat, but actually they aren't

 

[Hermoine Green]

Are you serious? One of the most docile and safe cities in pakistan.

Actually "ilaqa gher" is also not that unsafe if you're not being a total ***. Maybe I'm biased due to being Pashtun but I've never felt threatened. You just have to know if something happens to you it's unlikely you'll get police help.

I second baloch comments. Cousins have lived their whole lives there and echoed they cant stand punjabis especially locals in remote villages.

You are right, i am living in Kohat so i can assure it is amazing place. Slog might have visited some very backward or "ilaga gher" areas which are actually not the part of Kohat, but they are considered as.....

 

[Badsha]

You are right, i am living in Kohat so i can assure it is amazing place. Slog might have visited some very backward or "ilaga gher" areas which are actually not the part of Kohat, but they are considered as.....

Best guavas too!

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Which part of kpk ? There are some areas that pretty much uninhabited and on the border so obviously those are dangerous but actual cities are not.

Yeah I was talking about Areas near the border.

 

[Kianig89]

Any govt hospital any police station any district court