Pakistan

Eat

thumb|Chapli Kababs is one of the popular barbecue meals in Pakistan thumb|Chicken Tikka is a popular dish

Pakistani cuisine is a refined blend of various regional cooking traditions of South Asia. Pakistani cuisine is known for its richness, having aromatic and sometimes spicy flavors, and some dishes often contain liberal amounts of oil which contributes to a richer, fuller mouthfeel and flavour. Food in Pakistan is a blend of Mughal, Afghan, Central Asian and Persian influences. There is a good chance that you'd have tasted it in your country, as Indian food and Pakistan food often served together in a restaurant. Cuisine in Pakistan varies greatly from region to region. The "Pakistani food" served by many so-called Pakistani or Indian restaurants in the Western hemisphere is inspired by specifically Mughlai cuisine, a style developed by the royal kitchens of the historical Mughal Empire, and the regional cuisine of the Punjab, although degree of authenticity in relation to actual Mughlai or Punjabi cooking is sometimes variable at best and dubious at worst. Within Pakistan, cuisine varies greatly from region to region, reflecting the country's ethnic and cultural diversity. Food from the eastern provinces of Punjab and Sindh and Mughlai cuisine are similar to the cuisines of Northern India and can be highly seasoned and spicy with vegetarian options, which is characteristic of the flavours of the South Asian region. Food in other parts of Pakistan, particularly Balochist…

Drink

Tap water is unsafe for drinking. However, some establishments have water filters/purifiers installed, making it safe to drink. Ask for bottled water, and make sure that the cap's seal has not been broken. Some unscrupulous vendors reuse old bottles and fill them with tap water. Bottled water brands like Aquafina (by PepsiCo) and Nestle are widely available and costs Rs 80 for a 1.5 litre bottle. Ask for bottled water wherever possible, and avoid anything cold that might have water (ice) in it. In semi-urban or rural areas, it may be advisable to ask for boiled water.

Try a local limca cola, which makes a "pop" sound when opened. Pakola, Pakistan's premier soft drink brand, is available in many unusual flavours. Try a Lassi, a classic yoghurt drink served either plain or sweet and sometimes flavoured or even fused with fresh fruit. Rooh-Afza, a red-coloured, sweet, herbal drink. Sugar Cane Juice – which is extracted by mechanical force – is best when served fresh. You might also love the Falouda and Gola Ganda, which include various kinds of syrups in crushed ice.

thumb|Making Lassi

Tea (or chai as it is referred to in Pakistan) is popular throughout the country. Both black and green tea (Sabz chai or qahvah) are common and are traditionally drunk with cardamom and lots of sugar. Lemon is optional but recommended with green tea. Kashmiri chai (Pink Tea), a traditional tea beverage from Kashmir, is a milky tea with pistachios, almonds and nuts added to give additional …

Sleep

thumb|Night in Murree Pakistan, as a middle income country with a sizeable middle class and a significant domestic tourism industry, has a decent range of hotels covering all price ranges. International tourists are often disappointed by the cleanliness of Pakistani hotels - bedding is often clean but bathrooms can be a bit grungy. Pakistan is facing a significant slump in international tourist numbers; in the northern areas in particular you'll often find yourself the only guest.

Budget The cheapest hotels are usually found around busy transport hubs like bus and train stations. Don't be fooled by an impressive lobby - ask to see the room and check the beds, toilets, lights, etc, before checking in. Hot water and air conditioning will be luxuries in this class.

Mid range covers a wide spectrum of hotels - often listed in your guide book or on-line. All mid-range places will have a/c and hot water - although check if they have a working generator - air conditioning isn't of much use without electricity! Always check the room before handing over any money - ask for a no smoking room away from the street - and haggle to get a better rate. PTDC (government run) hotels fall in to the mid range section and warrant a special mention - often these places are the oldest hotel in town, in an excellent location, but the facilities will be showing their age. They are still a good option however, and discounts can be negotiated. Mid range prices are Rs2,000 - 6,000 per night.

Top end …

Stay safe

In an emergency, call the police by 15 from any landline phone. To get an ambulance, dial 115 and 1122 from any landline or mobile phone.

Several extremist movements are active in the country, including the Pakistan So-called Taliban Movement (TTP), which seeks to destabilise the country's governance through terrorist attacks, most of which target Pakistani authorities, but also civilian targets such as schools, mosques, churches and mass gatherings.

Terrorists and organised crime have occasionally taken people hostage. As economic hardship has increased and pandemics, price rises and summer devastation have pushed people into poverty, conventional crime has increased, especially in large cities.

In big cities, there can be large gaps in security between the 'better off' areas and those inhabited by the less well-off. Be vigilant and avoid walking in the dark.

Westerners should avoid staying near mosques, especially during Friday afternoon prayers and major religious holidays. Some mosques are well protected and well-known tourist attractions, while others are dominated by radical movements. Check the local security situation before visiting.

As of April 2026, Pakistan is at war with Afghanistan, and it is advised to avoid the Afghan border.

Stay healthy

Pakistan has lower hygiene standards than those of Western nations.

Visitors are strongly advised to refrain from drinking tap water, which contains many impurities; many Pakistani locals themselves drink boiled or purified water, and you should drink only boiled, filtered or bottled water. Tap water is known to contain many impurities. Ice is usually made from regular tap water, and may be even harder to avoid. Fresh milk from the carrier should be boiled and cooled before consumption. Non-pasteurized dairy can spread tuberculosis, which might be the cause of those hacking coughs you hear on the street. Trusted brands are available at most grocery stores, including Nestle Milk Pack, Haleeb Milk and Olpers.

Take precautions against dengue fever and malaria, both spread by mosquitoes. The most effective prevention is to avoid getting bitten, but if you plan to stay in a place where malaria is common, you will need to take prophylactic medicines such as Proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. The risk of getting malaria decreases with higher altitudes and is usually negligible above .

No prophylaxis or cure is available for dengue fever. It is prevalent during summer, especially during the monsoon (July to September) and can be fatal. It is caused by mosquitoes that bite during the day, and the most widespread outbreaks of dengue are expected in Punjab.

In the summer it gets very hot, so stay hydrated. Temperatures may rise to 50°C in June and July, but as soon as monsoon ra…

Respect

thumb|Shalwar kameez colours Despite sharp political and religious differences, Pakistan and India share a common culture; the various respect tips found in the India article will come in handy during your visit.

The culture has a strong tradition of hospitality. Guests are often treated extremely well. Pakistanis pride themselves on their tradition of hospitality to guests (mehmanawazi in Urdu). Nonetheless, Pakistan does not see many foreigners and there is some insularity as well; consequently foreigners may be occasionally regarded with suspicion and attract stares. But in general, Pakistanis are warm, friendly and generous individuals with a strong interest in foreigners and other cultures.

Thanks to the traditionally close and friendly diplomatic relationship between China and Pakistan, Chinese people may find themselves being exceptionally welcomed by Pakistanis.