Pakistan isn’t often portrayed as a safe destination for tourists, but it is actually very much possible to travel there safely. It’s not just a carefree fanciful vacation to the Caribbean, but adventurous travel to a challenging country with a lot of potential for culture and nature lovers.

Keep an eye on local media and proactively ask for advice if there are any issues affecting your trip.

1. Know Your Rights

For many years PAKISTAN SAFE FOR TOURISTS was a very dangerous country to travel. Terrorism is still a threat in parts of the country, but vigilance and a dedicated effort from the government has made it much safer to visit.

It is a Muslim country, and you should respect local traditions, customs and laws. Do not dress inappropriately, particularly in religious areas.

You should be aware of the risk of petty crime and carry sufficient travel insurance. Waterborne and food-borne diseases (including typhoid, hepatitis and parasitic infections) are common. It is recommended that you drink bottled or boiled water. You should also consider vaccination for hepatitis, typhoid and Japanese encephalitis.

Some locations, such as Sufi and Shia shrines and the Fairy Meadows hiking area on the northern flanks of Nanga Parbat, require you to be escorted by police or other officials. You should check the advice of your home government before travelling to these regions. In the event of a natural disaster, transportation, power distribution, access to food and water and emergency services may be disrupted. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to the districts of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Swat.

2. Know Your Destination

Pakistan is a complex country with many different regions, from the deserts of the south to the snowy mountains in the north. It is important to be aware of the security situation in each region and avoid places with a high threat from terrorist attacks. This includes areas near the Afghanistan border in Gilgit Baltistan, parts of Abbottabad where Osama bin Laden was located and the entirety of Azad Kashmir.

Locals are generally friendly, but you may encounter people with conservative attitudes to religious and social behavior, including public displays of affection. Same-sex relationships are illegal, and homosexuals must seek permission before travelling to Pakistan.

Haggling is common in Pakistan, but don’t be tempted to make it into a life or death struggle; try to negotiate prices and remember that the goal is for both parties to walk away satisfied. Make sure you have copies of your passport information pages and visa at all times, as you will be required to show these regularly at checkpoints and when boarding vehicles, especially on long-distance road trips.

3. Be Prepared for Landslides

Pakistan is a mountainous country and can experience severe flooding during the monsoon season. You can check local weather forecasts and keep in mind that the rainy season lasts from late June to early October. You should be extra careful when travelling through the mountainous areas as landslides are very common during this period.

While petty crime isn’t much of an issue in Pakistan, you can still find yourself on the wrong end of an avalanche or earthquake so you should always be prepared for natural disasters. The most important thing to remember is that locals are incredibly friendly and helpful if you are open to it. They will go out of their way to welcome you and show you the best parts of their culture.

While the terrorism threat has been reduced in recent years, you should still be aware of the risks of visiting Pakistan. You should follow advice from UK Counter Terrorism Policing about the general security situation and regional risks in Pakistan. You should also consider the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s overall travel advice for Pakistan.

4. Be Prepared for Crime

With massive mountain glaciers, hospitable locals, and more historical sites than you can count, Pakistan is an adventure traveler’s wet dream. But it isn’t always safe. Violent crime, including kidnapping, is common in much of the country.

Foreigners are often targeted for robbery and carjacking, especially in the northern areas of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Crime is also a problem in Karachi.

Those who visit religious shrines and locations associated with terrorism are at increased risk of attack. It is important to follow local advice and to heed local security warnings.

Drug trafficking is a serious issue in the country, and possession of even small quantities of drugs may result in severe repercussions. Homosexuality is taboo, and public displays of affection can draw unwanted attention. It’s also best to avoid blasphemous comments and behaviour in this Muslim country. A conviction for blasphemy can attract the death penalty. For these reasons, I advise against travelling to Pakistan without a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the government and with a local guide who can help you bypass military checkpoints.

5. Be Prepared for Terrorism

Pakistan is a country with many terrorist groups hostile to foreign interests. Attacks can occur anywhere, including the capital city of Islamabad, and have targeted public spaces, transport infrastructure (including trains and airports), and places of worship.

Terrorism is fueled by religious extremism, sectarian divisions, regional political disputes and the situation in neighbouring Afghanistan. Violence in Balochistan and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, particularly in the upper and lower Chitral districts, is persistent and largely targeted at government security forces.

Street crime, such as armed robbery and carjacking, is prevalent in large cities. Avoid attending political, religious or sporting events that may attract crowds and be vigilant on public transport and in crowded areas. Be aware that blasphemy is criminalised in Pakistan, and that any comments made in public could be perceived as such.

Conclusion

Foreigners are not allowed to travel within 50km of the India border in Azad Kashmir or the Line of Control in Gilgit Baltistan, and there is a risk of cross-border firing between Indian and Pakistani security forces. Also, be aware that celebratory gunfire is common at weddings, festivals and after sporting victories, and has killed people.