Advuice on Pakistan for elections

I have an opportunity to go to Pakistan from Dec. 29 to Jan. 14 to cover the elections, together with 3 guys working for a small video agency here in Paris. We would stick to major cities and will normally have journalist visas. While we all have a good experience of working in violent demonstrations in France or Germany, I’m not sure what to expect in Pakistan in terms of security and climate ? Is it feasible to work without a fixer / interpreter ? What’s the attitude of the population and of the police towards foreign photographers ? Any other tips / advice welcome ! Thanks to all.

by Hughes Leglise Bataille at Tue Nov 27 10:16:58 UTC 2007 (ed. Mar 12 2008) Paris, France | Bookmark this | Digg this |

good luck out there, you ever smiling french guy.

by Bastian Ehl | 27 Nov 2007 10:11 | Magdeburg, Germany |

It depends on the situation and the city where you would like to work. For election you need a proper paper work to get the approach to handle everything specially security issues and the secret agencies peoples. Overall environment is good you will enjoy working here. Its better to go with any fixer to save your time if its your first visit, otherwise you can also contact any photographer/reporter/journalist who is in your contact for further help.
Good luck

by Asim Hafeez | 27 Nov 2007 10:11 (ed. Nov 27 2007) | Karachi, Pakistan |

wowww, pakistan, exiciting guy, like indonesia on 1998 under Soeharto regim
good luck

thanks

jeff-indonesia
www.jefriaries.blogspot.com
+6281519211172

by jefri aries | 27 Nov 2007 15:11 | Jakarta, Indonesia |

Thanks Asim. We’ll probably start in Islamabad, and maybe move to Karachi or Lahore, not sure yet. Do you know who we should contact for the “paper work” you mention ? Is it some kind of accreditation to be able to get into voting places, etc. ? Also, is there any restriction due to the current state of emergency (if it doesn’t get lifted before the elections) ?

by Hughes Leglise Bataille | 28 Nov 2007 17:11 | Paris, France |

Due to emergency you cant work against the government or state. You need to submit your paper to get clearance from the home department / Ministry of Information from the every city. I’ll let you know the details in this regards as soon as I get the info for the election period.

by Asim Hafeez | 28 Nov 2007 18:11 | Karachi, Pakistan |

Working as a Foreign Journalist in Pakistan needs a Accreditation from the Press Information Department (Extenrnal Publicity Wing) and for covering the Election and going inside the Polling stations during the election you will need a extra permission from the Election Commission of Pakistan, and without this card you will not be allowed to go inside the boundry limits of the Polling Station, however with the Accreditation Card from Press Information Department there will be no restriction on you to cover any political activity anywhere.

by S.A.Qureshi | 19 Dec 2007 16:12 | Islamabad, Pakistan |