Re: lodging places in pakistan
islamabad: when I was a student I used to stay in a hotel called Sitara Hotel (at Sitara Market close to Blue Area). That was dirt cheap (and also very barebones) but not dirty, and cost about Rs. 200 a night. Theres a bunch of hotels in and around Blue Area that are pricier (but still much less than Marriot) and pretty decent. I've stayed in Marina Hotel in blue area and that is OK and not very expensive.
lahore: dirt (and really really dirty, sitara was a shining beacon by comparison) cheap hotels around the rail station although i wouldnt recommend it cause unlike sitara thats a bad area. decent, not expensive hotel in liberty market (one of the famous places in lahore) called Liberty Hotel thats alrite.
karachi: dunno, never needed a hotel there