Traveling to Pakistan after 10 years

[Belawal2014]

Excited. Nervous, but for the most part excited. It's been a while, last time I visited Pakistan was when I was 10 years old and for the most part stayed indoors.

This time, I'm looking to explore and travel as much as I can and will mostly be staying with family in Lahore.

I was wondering if the people who live in Pakistan and Lahore can suggest areas and restaurants to visit and any entertainment spaces.

And any tips on how to adjust to life in Pakistan will be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[moghul]

No need to be nervous, I have been travelling all over Pakistan, except Baluchistan for last 3-4 years, has been quite safe.

 

[Slog]

lol at adjusting to life.. unless you are going permanently then the question is invalid

if its a few weeks all that you need to be scared of is a dodgy tummy. And that too because of the type of food and spices which your system wont be used to, not any hygeine issues.

 

[Belawal2014]

lol at adjusting to life.. unless you are going permanently then the question is invalid

if its a few weeks all that you need to be scared of is a dodgy tummy. And that too because of the type of food and spices which your system wont be used to, not any hygeine issues.

Yeah, I was referring to basic hygiene and the water situation there.

 

[mmkextreme_1]

Don't drink the tap water. Get Nestle bottled water.

Restaurants that I have been to and would recommend:
Turkish Restaurant
Salt n Pepper Village
Butt Karahi (located in Laxmi Chowk)
There is Samosa shop near the Butt Karahi place, can't remember the name but it is really popular, damn good samosa's there!
Monal (its good, but if you can go to the Islamabad one, it's better)
Dera
Nadeem's Tika
Nando's (this isn't Pakistani food, but there aren't many branches on this part of the world, well worth going)
Bundu Khan (haven't gone here, but heard a lot of good stuff about it)
Gourmet Restaurant
Sichuan Chinese Restaurant (pretty sure this is the Chinese restaurant I went too, damn was there food good)
There is a few restaurants in the Emporium Mall, also the mall itself is pretty impressive considering the other malls in Lahore. Now Packages is open too, give that a shot.  
Try the McArabia at the McDonalds, wish they had those here
Yasir Broast- pretty decent
Pizza Man (if you happen to be on GT road side, where Garhi Shahu Bridge is located

I personally just got back from visiting a couple of months ago. Driving or riding a car is extremely hectic, Careem is a good car service (download the app on your phone), used it a lot there and loved it. I learned to ride a motorcycle there, can be helpful but traffic is dangerous.

Places to see: The new Minar e Pakistan, Iqbal Park. Eiffel Tower replica and the Bahria town mosque is impressive, Jallo Park, Jilani Park, a lot of historic moghal era construction is fascinating to see. There is a bunch to see in Lahore (don't go to Sozoo Water Park if you can help it, avoided it the last time was there over the summer, haven't heard good things about it, also I'm assuming your going soon thus it will be summer), especially when your hanging out with family. Try not to eat random foods of the street and again don't drink the tap water (I avoided these as much as I can and it helped).

I visited the village side outside Lahore, was a wonderful experience. Give it a shot if you can.

If you plan to visit outside Lahore, then Naran, Kagan, Kashmir, and Swat are beautiful places to visit.

Have a great and fun trip! No doubt your going to love it!

 

[Kianig89]

Visit NOrthern Areas and preferably have a 7 day stay there

 

[Belawal2014]

Don't drink the tap water. Get Nestle bottled water.

Restaurants that I have been to and would recommend:
Turkish Restaurant
Salt n Pepper Village
Butt Karahi (located in Laxmi Chowk)
There is Samosa shop near the Butt Karahi place, can't remember the name but it is really popular, damn good samosa's there!
Monal (its good, but if you can go to the Islamabad one, it's better)
Dera
Nadeem's Tika
Nando's (this isn't Pakistani food, but there aren't many branches on this part of the world, well worth going)
Bundu Khan (haven't gone here, but heard a lot of good stuff about it)
Gourmet Restaurant
Sichuan Chinese Restaurant (pretty sure this is the Chinese restaurant I went too, damn was there food good)
There is a few restaurants in the Emporium Mall, also the mall itself is pretty impressive considering the other malls in Lahore. Now Packages is open too, give that a shot.  
Try the McArabia at the McDonalds, wish they had those here
Yasir Broast- pretty decent
Pizza Man (if you happen to be on GT road side, where Garhi Shahu Bridge is located

I personally just got back from visiting a couple of months ago. Driving or riding a car is extremely hectic, Careem is a good car service (download the app on your phone), used it a lot there and loved it. I learned to ride a motorcycle there, can be helpful but traffic is dangerous.

Places to see: The new Minar e Pakistan, Iqbal Park. Eiffel Tower replica and the Bahria town mosque is impressive, Jallo Park, Jilani Park, a lot of historic moghal era construction is fascinating to see. There is a bunch to see in Lahore (don't go to Sozoo Water Park if you can help it, avoided it the last time was there over the summer, haven't heard good things about it, also I'm assuming your going soon thus it will be summer), especially when your hanging out with family. Try not to eat random foods of the street and again don't drink the tap water (I avoided these as much as I can and it helped).

I visited the village side outside Lahore, was a wonderful experience. Give it a shot if you can.

If you plan to visit outside Lahore, then Naran, Kagan, Kashmir, and Swat are beautiful places to visit.

Have a great and fun trip! No doubt your going to love it!

Thank you. This is very helpful, and yeah I'm leaving tonight actually.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

As someone who went to Pakistan after 13 years. Here are some things which I noticed/experienced.

-At airport people are epitome of jahilness. Be careful and take care of your luggage. Try to avoid all these taxi drivers who start offering you ride as soon as they see you. People will bump into you, don't get nervous.

-Don't buy anything from people who have shops right outside airport. They sold fake phone sim to me

-You'll be stopped by Lahori police to bribe them. We were stopped 2 times and our driver had money already prepared. Don't get nervous if they start asking for more money. Let the driver handle this stuff. Avoid eye contact. And smile with confidence.

-As soon as you reach your home, a swarm of neighborhood ladies will start visiting your home. Be prepared for their BS, mentally. Just ignore.

-If you are a unmarried male between (20-35), you'll hear a lot of talk about "why you ain't already married?" and offers of daddy's princesses to marry you.

-Eat as much Desi yogurt as you can. That Greek yogurt ain't got nothing on what I ate in Pak.

-Vast majority of Youth in Pak take drugs. My observation, at least. I was surprised about that.

-A lot of (fake) new friends.

-Superstitions.

-People feeling your deltoid, triceps.

-Under no circumstance try to drive in Pak. Only people who drive there regularly can interpret that traffic.

-Be prepared for family drama. If you are going to a marriage it is 99% guaranteed.

 

[Slog]

As someone who went to Pakistan after 13 years. Here are some things which I noticed/experienced.

-At airport people are epitome of jahilness. Be careful and take care of your luggage. Try to avoid all these taxi drivers who start offering you ride as soon as they see you. People will bump into you, don't get nervous.

-Don't buy anything from people who have shops right outside airport. They sold fake phone sim to me

-You'll be stopped by Lahori police to bribe them. We were stopped 2 times and our driver had money already prepared. Don't get nervous if they start asking for more money. Let the driver handle this stuff. Avoid eye contact. And smile with confidence.

-As soon as you reach your home, a swarm of neighborhood ladies will start visiting your home. Be prepared for their BS, mentally. Just ignore.

-If you are a unmarried male between (20-35), you'll hear a lot of talk about "why you ain't already married?" and offers of daddy's princesses to marry you.

-Eat as much Desi yogurt as you can. That Greek yogurt ain't got nothing on what I ate in Pak.

-Vast majority of Youth in Pak take drugs. My observation, at least. I was surprised about that.

-A lot of (fake) new friends.

-Superstitions.

-People feeling your deltoid, triceps.

-Under no circumstance try to drive in Pak. Only people who drive there regularly can interpret that traffic.

-Be prepared for family drama. If you are going to a marriage it is 99% guaranteed.

lmao this seems like some trip

 

[Donal Cozzie]

lmao this seems like some trip

Where do I sign up

 

[Eagle_Eye]

lmao this seems like some trip

You missed the clue in the post ..... Lahore

 

[Leo23]

lucky. haven't been to pak since 2014

 

[Leo23]

As someone who went to Pakistan after 13 years. Here are some things which I noticed/experienced.

-At airport people are epitome of jahilness. Be careful and take care of your luggage. Try to avoid all these taxi drivers who start offering you ride as soon as they see you. People will bump into you, don't get nervous.

-Don't buy anything from people who have shops right outside airport. They sold fake phone sim to me

-You'll be stopped by Lahori police to bribe them. We were stopped 2 times and our driver had money already prepared. Don't get nervous if they start asking for more money. Let the driver handle this stuff. Avoid eye contact. And smile with confidence.

-As soon as you reach your home, a swarm of neighborhood ladies will start visiting your home. Be prepared for their BS, mentally. Just ignore.

-If you are a unmarried male between (20-35), you'll hear a lot of talk about "why you ain't already married?" and offers of daddy's princesses to marry you.

-Eat as much Desi yogurt as you can. That Greek yogurt ain't got nothing on what I ate in Pak.

-Vast majority of Youth in Pak take drugs. My observation, at least. I was surprised about that.

-A lot of (fake) new friends.

-Superstitions.

-People feeling your deltoid, triceps.

-Under no circumstance try to drive in Pak. Only people who drive there regularly can interpret that traffic.

-Be prepared for family drama. If you are going to a marriage it is 99% guaranteed.

you are over exaggerating. 90% of this seems made up. i have lived in pak for years and some of the stuff you mentioned happens but you are being too dramatic.

 

[Slog]

You missed the clue in the post ..... Lahore

sorry for coming across as a bit dense but dont get it. what do you mean?

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

you are over exaggerating. 90% of this seems made up. i have lived in pak for years and some of the stuff you mentioned happens but you are being too dramatic.

Damn. Should've made the whole 100% up, why would I stop at 90%?

 

[mmkextreme_1]

As someone who went to Pakistan after 13 years. Here are some things which I noticed/experienced.

-At airport people are epitome of jahilness. Be careful and take care of your luggage. Try to avoid all these taxi drivers who start offering you ride as soon as they see you. People will bump into you, don't get nervous.

-Don't buy anything from people who have shops right outside airport. They sold fake phone sim to me

-You'll be stopped by Lahori police to bribe them. We were stopped 2 times and our driver had money already prepared. Don't get nervous if they start asking for more money. Let the driver handle this stuff. Avoid eye contact. And smile with confidence.

-As soon as you reach your home, a swarm of neighborhood ladies will start visiting your home. Be prepared for their BS, mentally. Just ignore.

-If you are a unmarried male between (20-35), you'll hear a lot of talk about "why you ain't already married?" and offers of daddy's princesses to marry you.

-Eat as much Desi yogurt as you can. That Greek yogurt ain't got nothing on what I ate in Pak.

-Vast majority of Youth in Pak take drugs. My observation, at least. I was surprised about that.

-A lot of (fake) new friends.

-Superstitions.

-People feeling your deltoid, triceps.

-Under no circumstance try to drive in Pak. Only people who drive there regularly can interpret that traffic.

-Be prepared for family drama. If you are going to a marriage it is 99% guaranteed.

This doesn't really happen much anymore, plus if you have family with good connections no ones going to be asking you for anything

 

[mmkextreme_1]

Thank you. This is very helpful, and yeah I'm leaving tonight actually.

No problem. Let me know if you have any additional questions. Have a safe flight.

Oh for the phone network, Zong has the best data packages.

 

[Syed1]

As someone who went to Pakistan after 13 years. Here are some things which I noticed/experienced.

-At airport people are epitome of jahilness. Be careful and take care of your luggage. Try to avoid all these taxi drivers who start offering you ride as soon as they see you. People will bump into you, don't get nervous.

-Don't buy anything from people who have shops right outside airport. They sold fake phone sim to me

-You'll be stopped by Lahori police to bribe them. We were stopped 2 times and our driver had money already prepared. Don't get nervous if they start asking for more money. Let the driver handle this stuff. Avoid eye contact. And smile with confidence.

-As soon as you reach your home, a swarm of neighborhood ladies will start visiting your home. Be prepared for their BS, mentally. Just ignore.

-If you are a unmarried male between (20-35), you'll hear a lot of talk about "why you ain't already married?" and offers of daddy's princesses to marry you.

-Eat as much Desi yogurt as you can. That Greek yogurt ain't got nothing on what I ate in Pak.

-Vast majority of Youth in Pak take drugs. My observation, at least. I was surprised about that.

-A lot of (fake) new friends.

-Superstitions.

-People feeling your deltoid, triceps.

-Under no circumstance try to drive in Pak. Only people who drive there regularly can interpret that traffic.

-Be prepared for family drama. If you are going to a marriage it is 99% guaranteed.

Hahah some of them I can relate to. Specially the touching muscles part... Desi people are very touchy feely something you don't find in western society. lol

Swarm of neighbourhood ladies part has never happened to me, however, I do get a lot of chipkoo people who just wanted me to marry their daughter.

I don't know which circles you were hanging out in, but the peeps I was meeting they didn't even smoke cigs let alone do drugs. I think only a small percentage of youth do drugs not a "vast majority".

As a neutral observer, I always enjoyed family drama. Definitely added to the spice.

 

[Little Master]

Well you have the expat perspective above.

I would suggest that you should not act like a royal snob in front of your relatives. I have noticed that with a lot of expat Pakistanis. When these folks go to Pakistan for a visit they act like a bunch of royal snobs and expect royal treatment.

 

[saadibaba]

I have not been to Pakistan in over 16 years now. I do get to hear from my relatives what shape Pakistan is in now from their visits. Mostly the discussion revolves around how dirty the streets are, how crowded it is, how driving is a nightmare and of course how religious the society seem to have become with a lot of hijabs and men in beards everywhere.

I grew up in Karachi and lived there till I was 25. Pakistan is still home for me. I long to go there someday but am so caught up in life and work here that just don't get a chance, plus there is no immediate family there so no urgent need ever arises. But no matter how bad things have become, I need to see it from my own two eyes.

I long to sit outside on a charpai of a local tea shop and sip doodh patti. I long to go to Javed Nihari's near Dastagir Colony and stand in line for my turn to sit and dig into a bowl of Maghz Nihari. I long to walk outside seaview with the smell of sea and roasted peanuts in the air, being freshly made my thelle walla's on the street. I long to go to Karachi with my DSL, just walk the streets and click away.

From what I gather from the relatives who have visited recently, I am bound to get mugged and my DSL stolen. But in a perfect world, I would like to make a documentary on Karachi, to tell its story. Like an organic living and breathing being. Oh how I miss Karachi....

 

[sjahmed23]

Be prepared to get sick with dierrhea, meeting each and every one of your relatives and some family drama. Others have pretty much summed up nicely what happens when you go to Pakistan after such a long period so I don't have much else to add. ��

 

[Nostalgic]

Eleven years and counting in my case. I was meant to go this year, but I couldn't manage the time. My wife and kids did go. I asked my wife what it was like, and all she said was, "this isn't the Pakistan you left." The past, as the saying goes, really is a different country.

There's a part of me that thinks I am better off not visiting. The rose-tinted memories can live on in my heart, pristine and permanent, never to be tampered with by change.

 

[aloo paratha]

you are over exaggerating. 90% of this seems made up. i have lived in pak for years and some of the stuff you mentioned happens but you are being too dramatic.

Because you're not visiting from abroad. One thing that definitely will happen is people will start expecting things from you because they think you are rich just because you live in the western world.

 

[Leo23]

Because you're not visiting from abroad. One thing that definitely will happen is people will start expecting things from you because they think you are rich just because you live in the western world.

i do visit from abroad. i moved to america in 2009 and i go back to pak every year.

 

[Leo23]

I'm still thinking of an appropriate name for my particular desolate wilderness.

"cast away"

 

[TQ89]

As someone who went to Pakistan after 13 years. Here are some things which I noticed/experienced.

-At airport people are epitome of jahilness. Be careful and take care of your luggage. Try to avoid all these taxi drivers who start offering you ride as soon as they see you. People will bump into you, don't get nervous.

-Don't buy anything from people who have shops right outside airport. They sold fake phone sim to me

-You'll be stopped by Lahori police to bribe them. We were stopped 2 times and our driver had money already prepared. Don't get nervous if they start asking for more money. Let the driver handle this stuff. Avoid eye contact. And smile with confidence.

-As soon as you reach your home, a swarm of neighborhood ladies will start visiting your home. Be prepared for their BS, mentally. Just ignore.

-If you are a unmarried male between (20-35), you'll hear a lot of talk about "why you ain't already married?" and offers of daddy's princesses to marry you.

-Eat as much Desi yogurt as you can. That Greek yogurt ain't got nothing on what I ate in Pak.

-Vast majority of Youth in Pak take drugs. My observation, at least. I was surprised about that.

-A lot of (fake) new friends.

-Superstitions.

-People feeling your deltoid, triceps.

-Under no circumstance try to drive in Pak. Only people who drive there regularly can interpret that traffic.

-Be prepared for family drama. If you are going to a marriage it is 99% guaranteed.

Not accurate at all.

 

[Nostalgic]

"cast away"

I was thinking something more along the lines of Dasht-e-Tanhai, but I'll make a note of your suggestion.

 

[English August]

Butt Karahi (located in Laxmi Chowk)

This Laxmi Chowk -- is it still its official name? Or has it been renamed as something like Saira Chowk or Zainab Chowk, but people call it Laxmi Chowk for historical reasons?

 

[mmkextreme_1]

This Laxmi Chowk -- is it still its official name? Or has it been renamed as something like Saira Chowk or Zainab Chowk, but people call it Laxmi Chowk for historical reasons?

Not a 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure it's still called Laxmi Chowk. Haven't heard it being referred to anything else.

 

[English August]

Not a 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure it's still called Laxmi Chowk. Haven't heard it being referred to anything else.

Good to hear. Thanks.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Chill. Hundreds and thousands of expat Pakistani's make the trip every year and have a ball. As unfortunate as it is, as long as you have good $$, you can expect to have the best time of your entire lives in Pakistan and I'd be a criminal for sugarcoating or exaggerating.

Ive traveled across the world but have lived my entire life in Pakistan and trust me when I say this, there's not a single better place to live or even vacay.

Here's a few tips:
- Only drink Nestle water. Under ANY circumstances.
- For the first week or so, avoid eating Desi food from restaurant. Give your body and stomach time to adjust.
- Get a Zong sim card.
- Be prepared for a LOOOOOT of heat. And when I say a LOT, I genuinely mean it. You're going to feel it more because you're coming from one of the coldest places on the planet.

Other than that, like I said before, chill and try to enjoy as much as you can. Drive. Sit in a Rickshaw. Visit the great malls you have in Lahore. Relish the great food. Experience the beautiful history, culture and traditions the city of Lahore possesses and IF you can, travel up North for the experience of a lifetime. Pakistan is beautiful and a great place. Absolutely safe for someone like you so just take it easy, relax and prepare yourself for the trip of a lifetime.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Eleven years and counting in my case. I was meant to go this year, but I couldn't manage the time. My wife and kids did go. I asked my wife what it was like, and all she said was, "this isn't the Pakistan you left." The past, as the saying goes, really is a different country.

There's a part of me that thinks I am better off not visiting. The rose-tinted memories can live on in my heart, pristine and permanent, never to be tampered with by change.

You should've made the trip. Your wife is right, this isn't the Pakistan you left. Could be worse, could be better but one things for sure, it's changed, and rightly so because nothing is stationery. Everything changes. Log badal jatay hain, ye tou phir Pakistan hai..

You can't cheat time.

 

[Slog]

It always baffles me how people go abroad and then don't visit for 10-15 years straight despite apparently longing to visit...

Hard to process

 

[Slog]

Eleven years and counting in my case. I was meant to go this year, but I couldn't manage the time. My wife and kids did go. I asked my wife what it was like, and all she said was, "this isn't the Pakistan you left." The past, as the saying goes, really is a different country.

Well it's most likely better in all seriousness. For a person who left in 90s and early 2000s (or better yet even earlier) Pakistan may have regressed in many ways. But The Pakistan of 2007-09 wasn't utopia either and there was still a lot of extremism and religious clout. Imo it's much safer now.

One of my uncles visited late last year for first time in 28 years and he was left speechless. He was actually impressed by the progress and said that it's definitely better than what he left in late 80s.

 

[saadibaba]

It always baffles me how people go abroad and then don't visit for 10-15 years straight despite apparently longing to visit...

Hard to process

Not so hard in my case. I lost my passport when I arrived in US and had to get a new passport but that did not had the US visa stamp on it. I was allowed to pursue my studies and then get work here without it but going back meant, going to the US embassy to get another visa stamp to return to US and that can take weeks to months. No decent job in US allows you to take months off work. Plus, like I said, all my immediate family is here so there was no urgency. Now that my visa status is cleared up, I am caught up in the cycle of job and family. If I ever go, it would be purely for pleasure and to take time out to take pleasure trips is currently not allowable with my schedule. Hence, I do the next best thing...longing.

 

[Nostalgic]

You should've made the trip. Your wife is right, this isn't the Pakistan you left. Could be worse, could be better but one things for sure, it's changed, and rightly so because nothing is stationery. Everything changes. Log badal jatay hain, ye tou phir Pakistan hai..

You can't cheat time.

Absolutely, change is the only constant, and perhaps it is unrealistic of an expat to think that there wouldn't have been any changes. But that is just how it is, your memories are from a bygone era, and those memories are the sole reference point vis-à-vis how you expect the place to be. Even if you know it has changed, it is a rude shock because now your moorings are gone, and while you expected change, you didn't know the finer details of exactly what changed, and how, and whether it was for the better or for the worse.

 

[Nostalgic]

Well it's most likely better in all seriousness. For a person who left in 90s and early 2000s (or better yet even earlier) Pakistan may have regressed in many ways. But The Pakistan of 2007-09 wasn't utopia either and there was still a lot of extremism and religious clout. Imo it's much safer now.

One of my uncles visited late last year for first time in 28 years and he was left speechless. He was actually impressed by the progress and said that it's definitely better than what he left in late 80s.

But if it has regressed for someone who left before the 90's, wouldn't the uncle have found it worse and not better?

In any case, better or worse may vary significantly based on what one person prioritizes over what another person may. Another angle is family circumstances. If one family's have regressed, and another's have progressed, how they perceive things to have turned out to be, may be diametrically opposed to each other.

 

[Slog]

But if it has regressed for someone who left before the 90's, wouldn't the uncle have found it worse and not better?

.

No I'm just speculating that compared to 70s or so Pakistani society has definitely become much more extremist etc so a person who grew up in that era and comes back to Pakistan MAY find the country unrecognisable and taken a turn for the worse. But for people who were in Pakistan till late 2000s it doesn't make much sense when they say that Pakistan had changed and taken a turn for the worse in last 10 years or so. Because the problems they identify now we're in their peak even back then so it's hardly a 'totally changed' society. And in my personal opinion (and I might be wrong), compared to let's say 2011-12 the past couple years have been slightly better.

The uncle was surprised in the sense that there weren't bombs going off every day and muggings taking place in every corner. He was visiting first time in almost 30 years and before that he had spent only about a month total for 15 years before that. (He's not a blood uncle btw and had no family here). He might as well be a foreigner

 

[Nostalgic]

No I'm just speculating that compared to 70s or so Pakistani society has definitely become much more extremist etc so a person who grew up in that era and comes back to Pakistan MAY find the country unrecognisable and taken a turn for the worse. But for people who were in Pakistan till late 2000s it doesn't make much sense when they say that Pakistan had changed and taken a turn for the worse in last 10 years or so. Because the problems they identify now we're in their peak even back then so it's hardly a 'totally changed' society. And in my personal opinion (and I might be wrong), compared to let's say 2011-12 the past couple years have been slightly better.

The uncle was surprised in the sense that there weren't bombs going off every day and muggings taking place in every corner. He was visiting first time in almost 30 years and before that he had spent only about a month total for 15 years before that. (He's not a blood uncle btw and had no family here). He might as well be a foreigner

I agree wholeheartedly with your second paragraph. It is never as bad as it looks on the news.

As for the first paragraph, just for the record, I never said it was worse than when I left. My wife just said it wasn't the same, which can be interpreted many ways, even if the underlying vibe of that statement is (correctly) interpreted to be leaning more towards the disapproving than not. Experiences and therefore memories are predominantly personal, and not necessarily political, and I would contend that it is human nature to look at any perceived change that encroaches upon cherished memories in a negative light. Such an approach may be labelled unfair, but I would contend that it just is. People are conservative, in the truest, literal sense of the word, i.e. resistant to change.