How safe is it in Pakistan right now?

Hi All,

Okay, so I am living overseas, and haven’t been to Pakistan for 8 yrs! I cannot believe it’s been this long, since my family and I in the past have always gone every 2 yrs maximum, but due to higher education at school then university we’ve all been individually like my brother and dad but it’s been mum and I that missed out.

At the end of the year, I’ll have 3 months vacation before i start work - I am getting married in 1.5 yrs, havent met my extended fam in 8 yrs and need to do wedding shopping. My question is, how safe will I be if i go to Pak?

I have the pakistani channels here, and i want to know, is it them who hype up the whole safety thing or really things are not like how they used to be?

I am so scared, heard so much about kidnappings and all recently? I feel for mum, she hasnt met family and she hadnt gone all these yrs coz of me..

I dunno what to do?

My fiance is concerned for my safety but isnt stopping me from going… but, how many of you overseas people are going?

Re: How safe is it in Pakistan right now?

I just came back from Pakistan. Which region will you be staying in? I was in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Murray. And everything was fine.

Re: How safe is it in Pakistan right now?

I just came back from Pakistan too and it was fine in Karachi/Hyderabad!

Oh thats gr8 to hear =)

Yeah ill be going to KHI too.. Do people go out and shopping etc like before, or are they more careful, where u scared to go to shops?

Re: How safe is it in Pakistan right now?

its mostly safe . nothing to worry abt .depends upon the area you live in KHI .still if you have issues , hire a security guard come driver who remains with you during shopping and travelling to places. you can hire one from registered security agencies at rs 10-15000 per month.

Re: How safe is it in Pakistan right now?

zainy i feel how u feel! im going after so many years also in about a months time and im so scared!!! i will be residing in rawal pindi.......

are u guys serious we have nothing to worry about? im scared to even check in to a hotel!

Oh calm down its Pakistan not Palestine.

Re: How safe is it in Pakistan right now?

I just got back and everything was fine. I went to Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad and at first I was scared but when I got there I realized that it was all media hype. Yeah I did notice that you have to a bit more careful in karachi like I wasnt allowed to take out my phone or anything as easily and carefree as I was able to in Lahore.. All in all it is safe there just gotta protect yourself from the beggers thats all lol..

Re: How safe is it in Pakistan right now?

Has anyone ever used the services of these Security agencies? how reliable are they?

Re: How safe is it in Pakistan right now?

no need to hire any one. pakistan is still a kool place to hangout. media creates hype and creats tension so that people could listen what they are saying so in breaking news they increases there rates for advertisements and more money for them.

be kool and go everywhere in pakistan. its just same that u dont have to wear mini skirts in streets , dont show bundles of money in public etc . i think u must be taking care of these things in abroad too ;)

Re: How safe is it in Pakistan right now?

oh wow, we are also contemplating on going to pak (lahore) but my mum gets really scared after seeing the news and all the blasts and things that happen in lahore. My granny said its all just hyped and wen ur at home its all safe.

However the only downside was the load shedding..... :(

but im glad to read here that ppl have gone and things have been ok?

Re: How safe is it in Pakistan right now?

Pak isn't the same anymore due to the excessive loadshedding :( My friends brought back some pics from there and everything looked so dull and dark :(

Hey Zainy, congrats on the wedding plans!

Well, I went to Karachi last summer, after 4 years, and everything was absolutely fine! Although, even in Karachi there are some safe and mildly un-safe areas. I would say Malik Cantt (where I was staying) is probably the safest area of Karachi, with places like Defence, Clifton and Bahadurabad also really secure. For shopping, I visited Tariq Road many times, and loads of shops in Clifton, and there was no trouble at all (apart from the becharay beggars). :(

I stayed for 2 months, and I didn't really find any burglary problems either, even though we would travel back from shaadi functions as late as 4am in the morning, dressed in wedding clothes and wearing jewelery (huge thief attraction, you'd think), I think we were lucky with that though - not recommended! :D

Overall, I definetely don't think it's anywhere near that unstable that it should stop you and your family from visiting, especially after 8 years of not going! :)