onerideaway
PAKISTAN
Loving yourself is the beginning of a long happy life
Oscar Wilde
There is so much to tell about this magnificent country that we have unfortunately discovered little. When we talk about Pakistan, we often think of a dangerous country, where it is better not to travel. However, think again! This country is full of indescribable wonders. The population, as in many Muslim countries, is welcoming and very kind.
However, if you are traveling in Pakistan by vehicle, you will have to travel through some areas under military escort to ensure your safety. This is particularly the case in the border areas and in Balochistan, a region marked by several political, ethnic, economic and social conflicts.
Once you have crossed this area and can discover the country without an escort, another side of Pakistan will open up to you. That of its remote valleys, where the mountains, numerous and majestic, will reveal breathtaking landscapes. It is generally far from the main roads that you will have your most beautiful encounters.
THINGS TO KNOW
DECEMBER 2024
CHANGE - $1 = PKR 277.60
OTHER - None
INSURANCE - we were unable to insure our vehicle in this country
VISA - No need for an invitation letter! By applying for a "pre-entry" visa, you can get a free multi-entry / 90-day visa. Form to be filled online at https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/ with a photocopy of your passport and original photo. Processing time approximately 24 hours.
DIESEL - $0.91/L
VEHICLE - Customs Carnet (CPD) required as well as international driving license
SIM - Zong: 200gb/month for 2500 PKR.
DOG - Microchip required, but the medal with the owner's name and number can be accepted. - vaccinations: rabies (30 days to 12 months before arrival); Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis and canine parvovirus (21 days to 12 months). - internal and external anti-parasite treatment (< 14 days) In fact, nothing was checked at customs.
Escort by the Levies
The Levies collaborate with the armed forces and the police for security operations, especially in sensitive areas such as Baluchistan and border areas.
Balochistan spans three countries: Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The route from the Iranian border at Taftan to the city of Quetta is under escort. The province suffers from difficult economic conditions, where security forces and government infrastructure are often the target of attacks, which can pose risks to civilians and tourists.
The Taftan border post is where all travelers are gathered in a prison yard to spend the night before starting the 2-4 days of escort. The Levies are there to ensure their safety. They are very friendly, but their organization leaves something to be desired. Nothing works properly, so it is important to be patient.
Baluchistan Region
The Baloch people face a series of conflicts and injustices that create a deep sense of oppression. This region is struggling for its autonomy and independence.
In some parts of the province, 96 percent of residents live below the extreme poverty line. In addition, aspirations for independence, claims over natural resources and immigration from Afghanistan are increasing tensions both within the region and with the federal government.
The Baloch are rich in natural resources, including gas, oil and minerals, but nationalists believe that the wealth of their land is being exploited by the federal government and that as a result the local population cannot benefit from it.
All this situation is giving rise to major conflicts, such as terrorist attacks on security forces and government installations. The Baloch people want to assert their rights and cultural identity in order to achieve lasting peace and equitable development.
The Baloch people
Although we don't have the opportunity to get out of our vehicle, the exchange of smiles, gestures and the surrounding noises allow us to soak up these deep looks that seem to tell a thousand stories.
Quetta Police Station
Here, in this waste field, is the arrival point for travellers coming either from the Taftan border in Iran or the Waga border in India. It is a mandatory stop to obtain the NOC, or “No Objection Certificate”, an official document in Pakistan attesting that a competent authority has no objection to a particular action, such as moving from one part of the country to another.
All travelers wait here, in this parking lot, to obtain this document, so that they can begin their escort or continue their journey within the country.
Islamabad Jasmin Garden
In short, this parking lot, far from being a dream spot, becomes an essential meeting point for travelers in transit, who like us are waiting for their Indian visa. Although this wait is long, it allows you to meet interesting people and share moments with locals and other travelers. All united by the same goal: to obtain a visa for India, a necessary step before continuing the road towards the east. Finally, between the administrative procedures, this place becomes a meeting point for long-haul travelers.
Pakistani Wedding
The hospitality of this population is beautifully illustrated by the beautiful meeting we had with Zahrah and Umer. While we wanted to take some pictures of their beautiful clothes, we exchanged a few words. They didn't need more to invite us to their wedding.
This unexpected experience allowed us to live a rare and precious moment, immersing ourselves in a culture and tradition that were unknown to us. By participating in this wedding, we discovered a fascinating aspect of the local society, where the importance of ceremonies and rituals takes a very particular form, very different from what we knew. Beyond the games, laughter and festivities, it was the hospitality and human warmth of the bride and groom and their guests that made this evening an unforgettable memory. This wedding, both symbolic and joyful, reminds us that, despite cultural differences, emotions and human connections are universal.
Afghan refugee family
In Islamabad, wealthy neighborhoods sit side by side with a very different reality: shantytowns where families of Afghan refugees in need live.
As we explored these neighborhoods, we wanted to bring smiles to the children's faces. We stocked up on colored pencils, paints, sheets of paper, and other small gifts that we distributed to families.
In parallel with our approach, a friend, Dominik, has undertaken an exceptional initiative by contacting a teacher from an association that raises funds to help these families. In these places live several Afghan communities that cannot pay their rent. It is precisely these families that Dominik wishes to support by raising funds.
Thanks to his calls for solidarity on social networks, he managed to obtain more than 6,000 euros. This money has helped finance several important actions for these families: three or four vital operations have been carried out on children, two water pumps have been repaired in the village, and a wheelchair has been donated to a father who lost his limbs and his sight in a bomb attack. The rest of the funds have been used to buy clothes, blankets, school supplies and food.
Sufi night
In Lahore, at the Shrine of Shah Jamal, "Sufi Nights" are held every Thursday evening. Sufi dance refers to a form of mystical or spiritual dance associated with Sufism, the mystical tradition of Islam. It is often accompanied by music, chants and rhythmic movements, creating a hypnotic and transcendent experience for both the dancers and the audience. It is considered a form of worship, a means of reaching a heightened state of spiritual awareness.
One of the most famous Sufi dances is the "whirling dervishes" ceremony, practiced by the Mevlevi order in Turkey. This one is more "crazy" and rhythmic, but just as captivating. The atmosphere, punctuated by the sound of percussion, is there. We spend a surprising and unforgettable evening in a very special atmosphere.
Badshahi Mosque
This mosque is a colossal architectural masterpiece with its symmetrical plan, red sandstone façade and marble details. The mosque is approximately 165 meters high, has one of the largest courtyards in the world and imposing minarets and is of historical and cultural importance and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
