Help! Visiting Pakistan?

[Orangesandtangerines]

Hi- my (young adult) daughter is visiting Pakistan next month with her best friend of several years. She is extremely excited as had always been fascinated by different cultures and her friends family is from Pakistan so they will be staying at their house there. I am really excited for her too as this is a wonderful opportunity for her to go and I know her friends family will take care of her, however I can’t help but feel slightly anxious. I know that Pakistan is a beautiful country but I’m worried about safety. I appreciate that might be ignorant (and I profusely apologise if it is) as I’m only going by what I’ve seen on the news, and I have no other knowledge about it, but I suppose I’m just asking if anyone on here can reassure me that this trip is no more dangerous than any other trip and that she will be fine? As I said, I know it’s a beautiful country but I don’t know anyone else who has ever gone and my daughters family is of 100% English origin so she has no family members at all out there if she needed family help either (although I can’t think why she would since she is with her best friends family and she’ll be having great fun!)
I believe they are planning to go sight seeing and show my daughter all the beautiful sights- she is taking clothes to cover up from the sun as she burns easily and apparently it will still be very hot.

does anyone else who knows anything about Pakistan have any advice for a first time traveller?

I've just come back from Pakistan. It's safer than portrayed. It's also advisable to wear covered clothing as is the norm for that area of the world.

It might make you feel more at ease to watch a few vlogs on YouTube made by foreigners travelling through Pakistan.

Overall a good experience and really friendly people.

it won't be that hot this time of year but if she burns easily factor 35+ sunscreen is a must. I am sure the friends family will take care of her. I mean safety wise it's not uk... she should be advised not to walk around by her self although as an English girl and tourist she will be more safe...

the main risk I would say is infections - so she must only drink bottled water and avoid all raw food eg. salads. regardless dodgy tummy is inevitable - good idea to take some essential meds with her as medication quality over there not the best.

also important to check vaccination lists.

Is your daughter an adult? If so, trust her to travel like an adult.

Hi OP, whereabouts is your dd going to in Pakistan? I’m British Pakistani, happy to answer any questions if I can. I visit every few years and do feel safe.

As a pp said, watch some vlogs on YT. Try Luke Damant, Dale Philip and Harry Jaggard.

Hi OP, I go every 2 years and it's a lot safer than portrayed in the media. Is she staying in or close to a city or somewhere rural?

The biggest risk is stomach problems. Unfortunately hygiene is an issue, she should be super strict with what she eats and drinks. Absolutely nothing from street vendors and no salads or anything washed in tap water.

Has she had rabies injections? I know it is a rare chance to be bitten but there is a slight risk.

Check other vaccines too.

As she’s going with her best friend she’s likely to be safe because her family won’t take her anywhere dodgy and will look after her

She'll be fine. She'll likely be made much of, be well looked after and have a great time.

What an opportunity. I'm jealous!

Sounds like an amazing opportunity & she will be fine. How lucky to have people to stay with to take her around. I'm sure they will be conscious about hygiene but the salads & snacks are the things that usually catch you out. Salad is fine if it has been soaked in Milton or washed in bottled water. So only eat it if she knows how it has been prepared. I went a few years ago and it was amazing - very friendly and hospitable. The food was fabulous & Im dreaming of the puddings....

She'll have a great time. Not sure her age, but she needs to know that covering up because of the sun isn't why she should be covering up! It's not Dubai.

What gifts is she taking? Can't take too many!

*Cant take too many - as in however many she takes won't be too much.

I've spent 3 months there. It's a fantastic country. Stop worrying.

Where is she going? It's all very well posters saying it's safe, but actually not all parts are.

Come off it. I'm far from a helicopter parent but I'll still worry when my adult children start to travel abroad 🙄

As a foreigner she will be fine and well looked after (assuming she is not going anywhere that is patently unsafe). I’d be more wary as a local, given the current political climate.

She'll have such a fuss made of her, she'll love it. I'd advise good hygiene- washing/sanitising everything- Delhi belly doesn't just exist in Delhi sadly. Also, make sure she has comprehensive travel insurance, leaves a copy of her passport and important documents with you, has the number of the British High Commission if needed. I'd request my daughter wore a tracker if she was abroad in a country like Pakistan/India, etc. but appreciate that must come across as OTT to some!