Pakistan

I just returned from there (Islamabad / Rawalpindi and Lahore) and should be back for the elections. There are some cheap hotels in Rawalpindi, near Committee Chowk, which is a more “lively” place to stay than Islamabad. If you need fast Internet connection, a good tip is to go in the evening at the Serena hotel in Islamabad: it’s a 5* hotel, but they have a reasonably priced, huge buffet at night, AND you can connect to their wi-fi at no cost (just pretend you’re working on your computer ;) In Lahore, the Residency hotel is a nice and safe mid-range hotel with good wi-fi connection (double room is around 4500 rps + tax). You can find MUCH cheaper deals, depends what you’re looking for… Lahore seems a bit more expensive than Islamabad / Pindi. As for transport, in Rawalpindi, you can find a car + driver with reasonable english for approx. 1500 rps / day. You can also buy a local phone for around 2500 rps (I think it comes with 1h credit approx.). Good luck :)

Thanks for your advice, Hughes! It’ very helpful. Because I’ll going too in Pakistan on february.

Thanks Hughs, Gyula maybe we could meet while we are there?. I will be in Islamabad February 1st.

Hi all, this week i’ll have confirmation if I’m going to be there for the elections, I think we can have a LS meeting!! :)

I’ll arrive to Karachi February 11 and leave Islamabad february 24. My plan to going Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar… I don’t know which town the best place when the election will starts
If I know little bit more I tell you. Keep in touch.
Cheers

Will be in-touch once in Islamabad. Good luck and be safe

Gyula, are you going on a journalist visa ? Peshawar is normally off-limit (my visa was restricted to Islamabad/Pindi, Lahore and Karachi), and the Information Ministry was less than willing to extend it (be it in terms of locations or duration of stay actually) !

I might be there too so let’s keep in touch. Best,

Alex

Hi I am based in Karachi..please let me know if you need any help and suggestion.

Thanks Asim, be sure tha I will contact you if I go there. best, Miguel

hello everybody, it would be nice to meet all of you there in Islamabad, if time allowed.

Hughes , hopefully on your next trip, we will be surely having enough time to sit togather for some time.

about islamabad hotels and rest houses here is a link, you can check there the addresses with telephone and fax number, unfortunately i could not find email addresses of these hotels, you can call them and ask them about any infromation from them, before dailing the local number you have to dail country and city code which is 0092 51.

the website is showing only the hotels and rest houses in Islamabad.

http://www.islamabad.net/

you can write me direct at pkjournalist@yahoo.co.uk if need any help.

I would like to mention here that without “Journalistic Visa” doing work as a Foriegner is quite difficult, you could face any problem. Some cities like Peshawar and Quetta or Tribal area need special approval from Ministry of Information which they normally do not allow to Foreign Journalist, even in some areas we the Pakistani Photographers and media persons are not allowed to go.

There is not illegal way for going there, by this you will risk your own life.Money can not help you get the permission from the government.

In general, living and travelling inside main cities like Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi is not a problem at all.

You welcome Miguel…you’ll enjoy working in Karachi..I am sure.

Hi all,

i might be there for elections. Trying to have my Visa.
Thanks for advices all.
See you there, i hope.
Matt

Do you knows any party (like PPP or ANP…) will make a big campaign assembly before election? I should greatly appreciate if anybody knows, where and when.
Thanks

PPP will be surely having a big campign assembly at the same place where Benazir Bhutto was assissinatied, only the time has yet to be decided by the PPP party leader, they already announced that they will make it, but not date yet finalized, but surely before 18 february. About ANP, not any idea as they are confined only to Peshawar city.

hi all friend
this link for journalist visa
http://www.pakistan.gov.pk/divisions/ContentInfo.jsp?DivID=23&cPath=221_225_599&ContentID=2505

thanks

jeff

Thx Qureshi!
___

I’m in Istambul and waiting the transfer for Karachi. I arrive at 3.00AM.
stay one night and I’m going to Naudero the Bhutto’s hometown -feb.13. After I come back to Karachi -feb.14. If anybody wants to go with me to Naudero plz call.

Hello All.

I will be arriving on the 14th to Islamabad. If anyone wants to meet up I would be happy to find you.
I will be moving around a bit up to Peshawar and over to Lahore. message me if anyone wants to share rides, costs or just meet up for dinner or whatever.
cheers,

David

Should be arriving in Islamabad on the 16th. David, how did you manage the approval to go to Peshawar ?!

I’m in Lahore for the elections if anyone wants to meet up or work together this weekend. My Pak mobile number is +92 (0)344 486 9059

cherres,
Derek

after the election that will be on 18th February, I am planning to arrange a get togather for the lightstalkers member visiting Pakistan and are in Islamabad. let us decide when it is possible for all the have a joint sitting togather somewhere in Islamabad after 18th February please. somewhere 20 to 22 February?? suggestion welcomed please.

Maybe useful accommondation address: Islamabad, F-7/1, street 47, 5-B, near Jinnah market, Orchard Guest House with wifi 2000 rps, tel: 009251-265-24-72,
Lahore, off Zafar Ali Road, Gulberg V, 39/a Hotel Residency, wifi, www.theresidencyhotel.com like Hughes said the second post. 6000 rps+tax
Getting there: Bus is Islamabad to Lahore 600rps 5 hours. Daewoo or Skyways is good.

Sajjad, is the meeting still on (guess for the 22) ? I’ve already met you, David and Davide, but it could be cool for everybody to get together in Islamabad (esp. since things are quite slow right now) ?

I had trouble signing on while I was in Pakistan!. Did anyone had issues with that?I am sorry to miss meeting you all. I left for India yesterday.