AA guys,
I’ve done it, I’ve booked seats on Emirates for myself and my 2 daughters flying to islamabad. My husband cant get the time off from work so i’m travelling on my own with the children. This is my first visit after nearly 11 years and I’m very very nervous.
I would really appreciate some advice on the process of getting through customs etc. Do the officials make everybody open up their cases? do they pick on the most “western” looking desis or on anyone who has the misfortune of making eye contact with them? My dad has said,
if i get pulled over I should make sure I have a £10 note stashed in my passport!!! I really don’t want to go down this route ie bribing an official the moment I land in the motherland especially with 2 very inquisitive children wanting to know what i’m upto 
Any advice and guidance would be appreciated
islamabad airport: Custom officials
Just relax! And no dont put a £10 note in your passport! Ive been to isb via a domestic from khi never had my bags searched. Had bags opened once in karachi we were travelling as a group. I dont think you should worry too much. Only thing i find annoying is the metal detectors i always find the female search ladies abit to hands on.
Re: islamabad airport: Custom officials
Thanks Bella, I have to admit I am panicking slightly !!!
My dads idea was awful and I really don't wanna start my trip by bribing some uncle jee at customs :)
Really excited about showing my daughters the place a I spent some of my happiest times ie school and college but hoping there's enough to keep them occupied outside of shopping!
Re: islamabad airport: Custom officials
no need to panic they just ask kahn se a rahy han bag mei khuch electronic tu nhi n they let you go n if you have toddlers or babies wth you they just let you go n no need to money but be ready the immigration line is very long bc usually emirates n Etihad arrives at same time n air port is very small only one belt for luaggage so hell of waiting just keep some paki money wth you to give to porter they take only 250 rupee.
Re: islamabad airport: Custom officials
thanks for the advice DA, will keep u guys posted
Re: islamabad airport: Custom officials
i went last may ALLAHUMDULILLAH going was fine they dont check ur stuff , just ur passport , just get ur suitcases make ur way out stright, they only time they will pester u is on the way bck to england
Re: islamabad airport: Custom officials
if you have nothing to hide then you don't have to worry. i dunno if you have 'Green Channels' at ISB like we do have in India. if you do then it's just a walk through and no hassle at all whatsoever.
worse come worse, if they ask to open suitcase then do it...what's to worry about? take it easy, be relaxed and confident while going through the customs. immigration process is a cinch.
Re: islamabad airport: Custom officials
AA guys, I've done it, I've booked seats on Emirates for myself and my 2 daughters flying to islamabad. My husband cant get the time off from work so i'm travelling on my own with the children. This is my first visit after nearly 11 years and I'm very very nervous. I would really appreciate some advice on the process of getting through customs etc. Do the officials make everybody open up their cases? do they pick on the most "western" looking desis or on anyone who has the misfortune of making eye contact with them? My dad has said, if i get pulled over I should make sure I have a £10 note stashed in my passport!!!!! I really don't want to go down this route ie bribing an official the moment I land in the motherland especially with 2 very inquisitive children wanting to know what i'm upto :) Any advice and guidance would be appreciated
Islamabad airport (in reality Rawalpindi airport) is most simple airport of a capital city in the world. One simple building. No long walkways, easy to enter and easy to exit.
Normally there are no random checkings, there is one red channel and one green channel, as soon as you take your luggage walk towards exit which is straight ahead you can see public standing :D (for red channel you have to turn right, if I remember correctly).
I went there last year (in august) and when I was going out one emirates guy asked me for my baggage claim card, checked whether I'm taking out my own luggage by comparing the tag on my luggage, but it's airline thing and he was checking everyone to make sure they are taking their own luggage.
Its bad to bribe anyway, if you are taking anything that needs to be declared or custom duty must be paid then do the right thing. Honesty is the best policy, so put it in practice. No one can force you to pay him/her some "gift".
Re: islamabad airport: Custom officials
Just walk through the green channel, no need to stop or even look at the red channel. red channel is for people bringing big electronics, etc.