Cars 4 Rental - Cheap Car Rentals Online Bookings

General Money Health Climate Passport

(back to contents)

Cars 4 Rental Information on Pakistan

General

Area: 796,095 sq km (307,374 sq miles) excluding data for the disputed territories of Jammu and Kashmir.

Population: 140,470,000 (official estimate 2001).

Population Density: 176.4 per sq km.

Capital: Islamabad. Population: 524,500 (1998).

GEOGRAPHY: Pakistan has borders to the north with Afghanistan, to the east with India and to the west with Iran; the Arabian Sea lies to the south. In the northeast is the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir, bounded by Afghanistan, China and India. Pakistan comprises distinct regions. The northern highlands – the Hindu Kush – are rugged and mountainous; the Indus Valley is a flat, alluvial plain with five major rivers dominating the upper region, eventually joining the Indus River and flowing south to the Makran coast; Sindh is bounded on the east by the Thar Desert and the Rann of Kutch, and on the west by the Kirthar Range; the Baluchistan Plateau is an arid tableland encircled by mountains.

Government: Federal Islamic Republic since 1973. Gained independence from the UK in 1947. Head of State: President Pervez Musharraf since 2001. Head of Government: Following a military coup in October 1999, General Pervez Musharraf took over as the leader of the new military regime. Prime Minister: Former finance minister Shaukat Aziz was made prime minister in August 2004.

Language: Urdu is the national language. English is widely spoken. Regional languages include Punjabi, which is spoken by 48 per cent of the population (1981), Pushto, Sindhi, Saraiki, and Baluchi. There are numerous local dialects.

Religion: 97 per cent Muslim, the remainder are Hindu or Christian.

Time: GMT + 5.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two- or three-pin plugs are in use.

Communications:

Telephone

IDD is available. Country code: 92. Outgoing international code: 00.

Mobile Telephone

GSM 900 networks available. Main network providers include Mobilink (website: www.mobilinkgsm.com) and Pak Telecom. Coverage is largely limited to main cities.

Fax

Services are operated by the Pakistani telephone and telegraph department.

Internet

Main ISPs include Pak Net (website: www.paknet.com.pk) and Pakistan Online (website: www.pol.com.pk). Internet cafes exist in main urban areas.

Telegram

There are services at post offices, telegraph offices and main hotels. The Central Telegraph Offices provide a 24-hour service.

Post

Airmail takes 4 to 5 days to reach Western Europe. There are poste restante facilities in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. General post offices in major cities offer 24-hour services. Important letters should be registered or insured.

Press

The English-language press enjoys a great deal of influence in business circles. Dailies include Business Recorder, Dawn, Financial Post, Frontier Post, Leader, Pakistan Observer, Pakistan Times, Star, The Nation and The News.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Back to Top

Money

Currency: Pakistani Rupee (PRe, singular; PRs, plural) = 100 paisa. Notes are in denominations of PRs1000, 500, 100, 50, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of PRs2 and 1, and 50 and 25 paisa.

Credit & debit cards: American Express is the most widely accepted card. MasterCard and Visa are also good, but Diners Club and other cards have more limited use. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Generally accepted at most banks, 4- and 5-star hotels and major shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is limited to PRs100 in denominations of PRs10 or less (the import of banknotes in denominations of PRs50 and PRs100 or more is prohibited). The import and export of foreign currency are unlimited. Up to Prs500 may be reconverted into foreign currency, provided official exchange receipts are shown.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Pakistani Rupee against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May '04
£1.00= 95.35 97.32 104.51 102.77
$1.00= 59.78 57.35 57.41 57.54

Banking hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1330, Fri 0900-1230.

Back to Top

Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No 1
Cholera 2 No
Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A
Malaria 4 N/A

1: Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of all travellers arriving within 6 days from any part of a country in which yellow fever is endemic. Infants under 6 months of age are exempt if the mother’s vaccination certificate shows her to have been vaccinated prior to the child’s birth. Countries and areas within the endemic zone are regarded as infected.

2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Pakistan. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix.

3: Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

4: Malaria risk exists throughout the year in all areas below 2000m (6560ft). The malignant falciparum strain is present and has been reported as chloroquine-resistant.

Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Hepatitis A and E occur and hepatitis B is endemic. Trachoma and typhoid fever are common. Between June and January, Japanese encephalitis is a risk in rural areas. Dengue fever may also occur.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: Medical facilities can be very limited. There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Travellers are strongly advised to take out full medical insurance before departure.

Note: A certificate proving the visitor to be HIV-negative is required if planning on staying over 1 year in the country.

Back to Top

Climate

Pakistan has three seasons: winter (November to March) is warm and cooled by sea breezes on the coast; summer (April to July) has extreme temperatures and the monsoon season (July to September) has the highest rainfall on the hills. Karachi has little rain. The best time to visit southern Pakistan is between November and March, when the days are cool and clear. The best time to visit northern Pakistan is from April to October.

Required clothing: Lightweights, with warmer clothing for upland areas in the winter. Rainwear is advised for the monsoon season.

Back to Top

Passport

Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required
British Yes Yes Yes
Australian Yes Yes Yes
Canadian Yes Yes Yes
USA Yes Yes Yes
OtherEU Yes Yes Yes
Japanese Yes Yes Yes

Note: Travellers are currently advised against travel to Pakistan until further notice unless there are compelling reasons to do so. All travel to Waziristan is strongly discouraged. All non-essential travel to northern and western Balochistan and western North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and all border areas is advised against.

Restricted entry and transit: The Government of Pakistan refuses entry to nationals of Israel, even for transit. Nationals of Afghanistan are refused entry if their passports or tickets show evidence of transit or boarding in India. Holders of Taiwan (China) passports are refused entry except in transit or airport transit.

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay required by all.

VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) holders of a Pakistan Origin Card (POC) regardless of nationality for unlimited stay;
(b) nationals of Tonga and Trinidad & Tobago for an unlimited period;
(c) nationals of Iceland, Maldives and Zambia for stays of up to a maximum of 3 months;
(d) nationals of Nepal and Samoa, and holders of Chinese passports issued in Hong Kong (SAR), for stays of up to 30 days;
(e) transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided they are holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport;
(f) holders of UN laissez-passer.

Note: Nationals of Algeria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Nigeria, Palestinian Authority passport holders, Serbia & Montenegro, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Yemen must report to the nearest Foreigners Registration Office for registration, except for those issued Work permits/visas in the managerial category. In certain circumstances, this may also be applicable to other nationals and will be indicated on their passports.

Types of visa and cost: Price of visa varies according to nationality. For UK nationals, prices are: Single-entry: £40; Double-entry: £54; Multiple-entry: £74. These prices are identical to those issued for the Visa for Media Professionals, which must be routed through the Information Division of the Pakistan High Commission. For Pakistanis holding dual nationality, prices are: Adult: £24; Child (up to 18 years old): £12; valid for stays of up to 1 year. Applicants with parents holding Pakistani passports get the same concession, provided they produce the original detailed birth certificate and their parents’ Pakistani passports. Pilgrim (Single-entry): £45. This is issued to those wishing to visit holy places (Shrines/Gurdawaras) in Pakistan and is allowed for groups of pilgrims, normally restricted to a specified period. Business: £68 (Single-entry); £90 (Double-entry); £111 (Multiple-entry). Certain nationals are issued visas free of charge, but they must be obtained prior to travel. For further information, consult the High Commission or Embassy.

Validity: Single-entry/Double-entry: 6 months from the date of issue for stays of up to 3 months. Multiple-entry: 6 months to 1 year.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy or High Commission); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) Original valid passport, plus one photocopy. (b) One application form. (c) Two passport-size photos. (d) Confirmed return/onward ticket. (e) Proof of sufficient funds for duration of stay. (f) Fee payable by cash or postal order only. (g) For business trips, a letter of invitation from a company in Pakistan.

Note: There may be slightly different application requirements for Indian nationals and the nearest Consulate/Embassy should be contacted for further information prior to travel.

Working days required: Depends on nationality (in UK, visas are normally granted within 24 to 48 hours). Enquire at the nearest Consulate or Embassy. Pilgrim visas require 2 months processing time.

Back to Top

Cars4Rental - Worldwide Car Hire

Cars 4 Rental Information on Pakistan

Car Hire Pakistan