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Swiss couple in VW LT-35 abducted in Pakistan Swiss couple in VW LT-35 abducted in Pakistan
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Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
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  #1  
Old 4 Jul 2011
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Exclamation Swiss couple in VW LT-35 abducted in Pakistan
"The Swiss were driving from Punjab province, and when they reached Lorali, about 90 miles (150 kilometers) north of Quetta, the capital of the province, they were given a police escort, local Pakistan officials have said. However, once they reached its outskirts, beyond the area under police jurisdiction, they were left without security guides"


Gunmen take Swiss couple to Pakistani tribal area

"they had both followed the police academy in Bern in 2006. The man is still a police officer when the woman left the service"

Seul le bus des Suisses enlevés a été retrouvé


Pakistan mounts search for Swiss hostages
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  #2  
Old 29 Jul 2011
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Just heard it on the Swiss radio: the Talibans want to swap the Swiss overlanders for a Pakistani scientific imprisoned in the US.

Suisses enlevés au Pakistan: les talibans veulent les échanger
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  #3  
Old 15 Sep 2011
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Does anyone know how this ended?
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  #4  
Old 15 Sep 2011
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Ive been trying to follow it from Pakistan, but it seams to have gone quiet this month, last i heard was they were trying to exchange the swiss for someone in american jail... why kidnap swiss! Anyway there is something fishy as now the media has changed the story completely.

I also heard the police who were meant to be escorting them have been dealt with - reading between the lines - they lost their jobs.

PLEASE NOTE:
For those coming from Iran you must head south from Quetta before heading back up the main road north to Multan. If you go straight across you are heading into real tribal areas, where ALL of the problems come from.

If coming from Lahore, you will have to travel the same route but in reverse - but you would have had time to learn where to go and what not to do.

Pakistan is an amazing country! Head north up the KKH and explore Gilgit-Baltistan area.
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  #5  
Old 23 Sep 2011
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police escorts
Can anyone give me an idea as to how we go about organizing a police escort when we go through Pakistan, as we will be doing next March?

Chiromal
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  #6  
Old 23 Sep 2011
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You dont need to arrange anything, as you enter into Pakistan you will be given one, in fact long before the boarder on Iran side you will also have one.

They will finish once you leave Quetta and head south but you might get one for a few kilometres on the KKH just before you enter Gilgit-Baltistan.

Currently, you need an NOC to enter into Baluchistan (just started up in the last few days) I am trying to cross into Iran the next 10 days

For those travelling from Pakistan to Iran, you must get your NOC from the Home Department in Quetta.

For those travelling from Iran to Pakistan, I think this will be sorted out on the boarder. I will confirm as I cross and report back.
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  #7  
Old 23 Sep 2011
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Hi Maximondo,

""For those travelling from Iran to Pakistan, I think this will be sorted out on the boarder. I will confirm as I cross and report back..""

Could you please inform about this subject for those who will enter pakistan from İran..Several international bikers including my best Turkish friend are on the road...

Wish you all the best.
m.zeki.
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  #8  
Old 2 Dec 2011
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A month ago the couple was in the news;

Swiss Hostages in Pakistan Appear in Video

They talk in a swiss dialiect, can't follow what the're saying.
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Old 2 Dec 2011
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What is a "NOC" please.
What is a "NOC" please
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  #10  
Old 3 Dec 2011
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NOC = No Objection Certificate or No Objection Letter.

To get the Visa for Pakistan I had to get a Letter of Recommendation from my home country embassy. They gave me one without hesitation in 2007.

Some countries refused to hand out such a letter in that time because of the situation in Pakistan. If that's the case, get that in writing and explain it to the Paki Visa consul. Everyone got an interview at that time anyways, where one had to explain the reason to visit pakistan and why the Paki visa wasn't issued in your home country.

Cheers!
Arno
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Old 19 Mar 2012
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They were released last Saturday.

Pakistan: «La Suisse n'a pas payé de rançon!» - Suisse - tdg.ch

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/16/wo...rssnyt&emc=rss
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Old 4 Feb 2013
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Hi all

Apologies for digging this thread up from the grave. I'd completely forgotten about this story until Saturday, when I went to the Destinations Travel show in Earls Court and got talking to a couple of cos running tours to Pakistan. I mentioned the Swiss couple and was told they'd been released some time back. A quick google this AM revealed this to be the case.

Just curious - does anyone know what happened to their camper van?
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Old 4 Feb 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ilesmark View Post
Hi all

Apologies for digging this thread up from the grave. I'd completely forgotten about this story until Saturday, when I went to the Destinations Travel show in Earls Court and got talking to a couple of cos running tours to Pakistan. I mentioned the Swiss couple and was told they'd been released some time back. A quick google this AM revealed this to be the case.

Just curious - does anyone know what happened to their camper van?
Good news. Wow, I wondered what had happened to them, poor buggers. Now out and home I'd imagine their 470% carnet would be the last of their worries.

Which companies did you speak to? Wild Frontiers and the jeep tour guys?

If you've not been to the KKH, you should, its fantastic

Cheers
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Old 5 Feb 2013
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I spoke to Karakoram Jeep Treks International and TravelPak. Both fine tour cos!

Yes, we did the KKH in 07 - have a look at the signature link and then go to Subsequent Trips - Pakistan
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Old 6 Feb 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ilesmark View Post
I spoke to Karakoram Jeep Treks International and TravelPak. Both fine tour cos!

Yes, we did the KKH in 07 - have a look at the signature link and then go to Subsequent Trips - Pakistan
When I tell people about the HUBB I say ~its the site where people who have really been places go to~ I guess you're one of them! Nice work
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