Mrs MDP has been invited [ work ] to visit Pakistan later this year. Is it a good idea at the moment considering the current affairs ????

Mind you, they appear to be offering excellent accommodtion at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad

http://www.lhw.com/property.aspx?propertyid=441&Ext=Gislmbsr

Thoughts.........  
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Look on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.

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I hear from a lot of people that it's unsafe for a women to travel alone to countries like Pakistan.
If she's going alone I wouldn't recommend her to go.

Right MDP, something i can help on i think.

Pakistan, is the diplomatic centre of the middle east right now. More westerners there then in surrounding countries, especially due to the aid crisis from the earthquake. Staying at the Serena and Marriot hotel are the best in Islamabad, we have stayed in both, the Serena is the better (newer) of the two though.

Hmm, travelling for ladies in Pakistan, from the Uk, is ok if they are met at the airport, and aren't travelling around alone in pakistan during evenings and in the car etc. its not as dangerous as other middle eastern countries, i go every 6 months now, and drive myself around there, but im not a female white lady, so don't really stick out so to speak.

Any particular questions Martin, let me know. I know Islamabad relatively well, the airport on entry is , islamabad, and you don't know the meaning of cattle class till you've travelled through Pakistan, tell her to avoid PIA and go Emirates via Dubai/BA direct from LHR. Thats my first piece of advice. Cover her head, and keep her legs and arms covered and she won't attract too much attention, and make sure she is met at the airport, and that person is there on time! you get hounded a little bit when u come out of arrivals, but after that, the worst is over.

Pakistan itself isn't particularly dangerous in Isb, mroe so in Karachi/Lahore, as ISB is relatively well policed and protected due to the government and western interests in the area.

Cheers Kam ,

She thankfully will be travelling with a load of other delgates. I think she is flying from B'ham via Dubai.

Will get more info off her later. 
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MDP wrote:

I think she is flying from B'ham via Dubai.

Okay, that means she'll be flying with Emirates

yep going on the same flight myself in Dec..
Emirates = excellent.. PIA are the worst airline in the world in my view..

BA direct from LHR is another option however, in case any of you ever travel to Pakistan.

Let me know if you need any further tips/advice martin.
When is she going, im going over xmas for a family wedding..

Thanks Kam,

She'll be going over in November - but so far the dates have changed a couple of times already!

Whatever................. it'll be TV dinners & the pub for me  
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MDP wrote:

it'll be TV dinners & the pub for me

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MDP wrote:

Thanks Kam,

She'll be going over in November - but so far the dates have changed a couple of times already!

Whatever................. it'll be TV dinners & the pub for me

Cheers Kam - I shall pass on the advice  
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