Working in Pakistan

Davide

Check very carefully. I was recently in Afghanistan and spoke to a few people who had come in from Pakistan. The country is unstable.

Particular attention should be made if you are intending to travel in the North West Frontier Province. This is tribal country and has no allegiance to the state. You need a guide/Security to travel there. I believe you need security assistance if you are travelling from Peshawar to the Khyber pass as well.

Try Paul Taggart on LS. I think he was recently in Pakistan.

Also try the member directory here on LS. You may be able to contact someone who could give more precise information.

Mark

Hi – I am here and as Mark says things are a bit precarious. Mainly in the areas that he mentioned though. Things are pretty stable on the streets of Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi though there is the obvious and real danger of suicide bombers attacking the various election campaign rallies that are happening at the moment in various cities. Also Swat valley is obviously dangerous and you won’t be able to get there anyway due to Army checkpoints etc.

Hello,

I am a Pakistani National, working and living in Pakistan, my elder brother is also a Journalist and he worked for some International Media organisation as a Researcher.

From the expereince I can tell you that over all situation is OK if you are travelling in the big cities, but it is difficult in the cities close to Afghan Border Like Kohat, Peshawar, and Quetta.

As a Photo Journalist, you will need a accreditation from the Press Information Department (External Publicity Wing), Government of Pakistan, and this accreditation depends on your intended program that what parts of Pakistan you want to work?and what is your feild of intrest? it is a important question and they may refuse depended on the nature of your work that if you say to them you want to work in tribal areas or Swat region as the Pakistan Army itself is not safe in that areas so the Government is not taking any risk for allowing Local as well International Journalist to move into these areas due to the security situation.

If you wanted to cover the upcoming Election, beside accreditation card, you will need another pass from Election Commission of Pakistan which will help you to move inside the polling stations , without this Media Pass you will not be allowed to cover anything inside any polling station.

I hope this will be enough for you, but I will be surely happy if you have any other question in your mind? you can also write me direct on my email at pkjournalist (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) uk

Wish you a Marry Cristmas.
Sajjad

Thank you all for your mail, I still don’t know exactly my plan, I’m thinking to come for the election or just after it depends from situation and the possibility to obtain visa. If you have more info I will apreciate if you would like to update. Thank you for the moment

davide

ps Sajjad, in case will you be able to give me some help in there?

Thank you all for your mail, I still don’t know exactly my plan, I’m thinking to come for the election or just after it depends from situation and the possibility to obtain visa. If you have more info I will apreciate if you would like to update. Thank you for the moment

davide

ps Sajjad, in case will you be able to give me some help in there?

I will be surely happy to help to you, depending your plan for visiting Pakistan.

Sajjad

Be careful…! Benazir Bhutto just got bumped off !

I know!
Sajjad, Adam, I hope you are ok after Bhutto’s Assasination, I’ planning to some as soon as possible. Take care, keep in touch, please update if you can. Any suggestion for a place to stay?

davide

Can anyone comment on the latest info re: obtaining press visas and/or the viability of entering with tourist visas? Cheers, Ben

Be safe Davide if you get in. Adam, Sajjad same to you. It’s bloody crazy and it’s likely to get worse!

David, at this time, not advisable to go with a tourist visa…the intel guys will make life miserable for you, if you get caught. Be safe !