Practical Information for visiting Pakistan

The currency is the Pakistani rupee. The Canadian advisory records that credit card fraud is common and that cell phones, credit cards and passports are the favourite targets of petty theft; keep them secure and avoid showing signs of affluence. Card acceptance, cash machines and exchange are not summarised here until they have been read on an authority's page.

Both governments publish maps of where not to go, and the map is large. The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Balochistan, the listed districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Peshawar and Swat, the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, the N45 to Chitral with the Kalash valley, and within 10 miles of the Afghan border and the Line of Control; and against all but essential travel to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, northern Sindh from Nawabshah, Dera Ghazi Khan and the Indian border strip. Canada says exercise a high degree of caution nationally because of an unpredictable security situation, terrorism, regional violence, civil unrest, sectarian violence and kidnapping; avoid all travel to Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Balochistan and most of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; do not travel by road to Gilgit-Baltistan; avoid non-essential travel to most of Karachi.

Terrorism: terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks; there is a high threat of terrorism and sectarian violence throughout the country; public transport, transport hubs and airports are at risk, and the railway network should be avoided. Kidnap: a threat throughout Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Crime: carjacking, and in Karachi armed robbery, kidnapping and murder alongside protests that turn violent. Protests are planned in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and other cities and have closed roads and cut mobile and internet services.

Women travelling alone may face harassment and verbal abuse. Photography of military sites, airports, bridges and dams has led to arrests for spying. Same-sex sexual activity between men is illegal. Carry photo ID always; you may be detained until you can show it.

Polio: Pakistan is running a national vaccination programme; be ready to show proof of polio vaccination if a vaccination team asks, and, by the Canadian advisory, anyone staying more than four weeks must show proof obtained within the previous twelve months when leaving the country. A polio certificate may be required for entry in some circumstances, and a yellow fever certificate if arriving from a transmission-risk country. Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of the country including Gilgit-Baltistan; know its symptoms, which can be fatal, and ascend slowly. Rabies treatment may be limited or unavailable. Bottled water: take care when buying it. Some city and hospital pharmacies are open around the clock; carry a supply of any medicine you need. Medical assistance is on 115 or 1122; remote rescue requires insurance that covers helicopter evacuation, paid in advance.

Religion is the law's centre. Blasphemy -- insulting or showing disrespect for religion, religious beliefs or anything considered holy -- is illegal, broadly defined to include public and private comments in any form, and can carry the death penalty. Be sensitive to religious belief and behave accordingly.

Alcohol is illegal for Muslims; non-Muslims may drink but must obtain a licence from the authorities, and supplying alcohol to Muslims is illegal. Drugs: British nationals have been held for long periods on trafficking charges. Same-sex activity between men is illegal.

Photography: none at military establishments, airports or any infrastructure including bridges and dams, or from aircraft; ask officials when unsure. ID: carry photo ID at all times. Dress modestly -- shoulders and legs covered for everyone, heads covered for women in mosques, holy places and rural areas. Ramadan (mid-February to mid-March in 2026): do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in daylight, including in a car; expect changed opening hours and screened dining.

Permits: advance permission from local or federal authorities to travel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and several districts of Azad Kashmir; prohibited areas around military and nuclear sites; additional documentation for some regions. Loud or rowdy behaviour in public attracts a negative response; consideration of others is the culture's core courtesy.

Emergency numbers: police 15, medical assistance 115 or 1122, firefighters 16.

Remote areas: the Canadian advisory tells travellers to carry insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation, to confirm the air-ambulance firm has a local agent in Pakistan, and to know that advance payment of the full evacuation cost is required. Tell someone your itinerary and your return date to camp.

Consular: the British High Commission and Canada's High Commission are in Islamabad; both advisories note that consular reach into the areas they advise against is limited.