PAKISTAN
How bad is it? How dangerous is it?
We have now been in Pakistan 17 days, travelled from Wagha border to Lahore, Lahore to Islamabad, Islamabad to the North West Frontier Province and the Northern Area Karakorum Highway as far as the huge land slide at Attaabad.
I saw on the Hubb a statement
:” Pakistan the world’s best kept secret “. So far for us this has been a very true statement. Yes security is very strict, yes there are some troubled areas. However so far we are very pleased that we have ignored the many negative comments on the web and in the media.
Important Note;
Police and Army are very protective of tourists and where-ever there is some chance of trouble you will be escorted.
The scenery is absolutely stunning, and the people are the friendliest we have met in all the Stan Countries. Roads are good, food is great (after 20 weeks INDIA with chicken and mutton) with perfect steaks.
Most important is the fact that in Pakistan you have 2 very active bodies promoting Tourism
1. Pakistan Tourist Development Corporation, Managed by Tayyab Nisar Mir in Islamabad
2. MAP (Motorcyclists Association of Pakistan) with a very active Vice President Mukaram Tareen who also is a member of the Backpackers club of Pakistan.
It was Omar (Hubb regular) who invited us to his house to meet many Map members, and from here the support/help and information just flowed on.
Once we arrived in Islamabad Mr Tayyab organized a parking spot in Rawalpindi for us and took us out sightseeing on his day off. It became clear to us from all the local comments that travelling North was a must, so we did. But not before Mr Tayyab organized places to park the truck overnight.
It was Mukaram Tareen who waited for us on the ring road showing the way to his house and perfect lawn on the back where we could park. He organized a BBQ took us out shopping and sightseeing; no matter what we asked for all was sorted in no time.
So if you have doubts about Pakistan. speak to the people in the know. I have listed them below for your information.
All of them love to show you what Pakistan Hospitality is all about.
My opinion after 16 days in Pakistan:
GO GO GO enjoy superb scenery, very friendly people and a population that would love to see tourists come back to Pakistan,
2 other people who require a special mention are Atif Zahid and Akbar who build his own caravan (first one in Pakistan)
Tayyab Nisar Mir
Manager PTDC Islamabad
Cell: 0300-5048895
tayabmir [[AATT]] yahoo [[DDOTT]] com or info [[AATT]] tourism [[DDOTT]] gov [[DDOTT]] pk
He also organizes the escorts for you.
Mukaram Tareen
biker2rist [[AATT]] yahoo [[DDOTT]] com Vice president Motorcyclist Association of Pakistan Member of the backpackers club of Pakistan President Mid Country Tourist Club Cell phone +92-313-6777776 Facebook mukaramTareenJahangard
Atif Zahid (member of MAP) and drives a nice Landcruiser.
http://facebook.com/evilati Atif Zahid | Nomads on two wheels
Akber (Member of MAP) and build Pakistan’s first caravan. amber [[DDOTT]] trading [[AATT]] gmail [[DDOTT]] com
Omar Khan, (Hubb name Omie) very helpful lives in Lahore.
Other info on Facebook MotorcyclistsAssociationofPakistan
RoyalRiders
MidcountryTouristClub
BackpackersClub
Cheers from wonderfull Pakistan
YOU NEVER NEVER KNOW IF YOU NEVER NEVER GO
FEARLESS