Importance/Need of transport, accommodation and services for tourism in Pakistan:

PTL a subsidiary of PTDC is now working as a pioneer tour operating agency and is responsible
for organizing tours/arrangements of transport and accommodation for foreign and domestic
tourists in Pakistan. Pakistan needs to start more international routes between Pakistan and
Afghanistan and between Pakistan and Iran to promote tourism. Pakistan International Airlines
(PIA), Shaheen Air International, Askari Aviation (Pvt.) Limited are providing transportation
faculties to international tourists and they have established their offices in almost every country.
But most of flights are connecting flights due to which tourists face too much difficulties and
most of their time is wasted in flights. So there is a need for direct flights operations to facilitate
the tourists.
BUS SERVICES BETWEEN PAKISTAN, INDIA AND CHINA:
To facilitate road traveling between Pakistan and India, a bus service between Lahore and Delhi
was started in 1999. This bus Service was suspended on December 2001. After two years the bus
Service was restarted on July 2003. The bus service is also extended between Lahore-Amritsar
and Nankana Sahib-Amritsar from March, 2006. PTDC is authorized by the Government of
Pakistan to operate the Pakistani Bus, whereas Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) operates the
Indian Bus. Recently Pakistan has started working on building Kartarpur Corridor for connecting
Sikh Shrines of Dera Baba Nanak Sahib in (Punjab, India) and Gurdwara Sahib Darbar In
(Punjab, Pakistan). This corridor would facilitate Sikh religious devotees to visit the Gurdwara in
Kartarpur without visa.
The bus service between Pakistan and china is operating on Karakoram highway from May 1986
under the bilateral agreement between Pakistan and China. Many tour operators are operating
tours, connecting Central Asia, China and Pakistan via Khunjerab Pass by utilizing this service.
Transportation with in Pakistan:
By Air: PIA serves 38 domestic airports with multiple daily flights between the major cities of
Pakistan. Three private airliners, Shaheen Airways, Aero Asia and Air Blue, also serve Karachi,
Lahore, Faisalabad and Islamabad. PIA has daily flights linking the northern tourist destinations
of Gilgit, Skardu and Saidu Sharif with Islamabad and Chitral with Peshawar. All flights to the
northern region are subjected to fair weather conditions.
Roads: Pakistan has an extensive network of roads and highways, linking cities and towns with
each other, like the Grand Trunk (G.T. Road) with Lahore and Peshawar and the National
Highway links Karachi with the interior of Sindh and Punjab while the Indus Highway links
Peshawar with the Southern Punjab and the RCD Highway links Karachi with Quetta and Taftan
(Pak-Iran border). Karakoram Highway the 8th wonder of the world connects Pakistan with
China (Kashgar) through Islamabad, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Besham, Chilas, Gilgit, Hunza and
Khunjerab Pass (4,733 m above sea level). A landmark has been achieved with the completion of
Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M2), Faisalabad-Pindi Bhatian Motorway (M3), Islamabad-
Peshawar (M1) Motorway and Karachi Gwadar Costal Highway, which have opened most of the
remote areas of Pakistan for visitors.
Public Transport: Taxis, 3-wheeler auto-rickshaws, vans, buses, and mini buses are used to
travel within the city/town/village limits whereas intercity air-conditioned, non air-conditioned
buses, vans and coaches are available from the main city bus terminals. Taxi cost approximately
US$ 0.30 per kilometer.
Railway:
Pakistan has over 12,700 kilometers of railway network. The main lines run from Karachi to
Peshawar connecting important cities of Hyderabad, Rohri, Bahawalpur, Multan, Lahore,
Rawalpindi, Taxila and Peshawar. Although there are several daily trains, the faster trains among
them are Shalimar Express, Karakoram Express (Lahore-Karachi) and Rail Car (Lahore-
Rawalpindi) has more comfortable air-conditioned compartments for travelers. Pakistan
Railways allow a 25% concession on all classes to foreign tourists. This concession is allowed on
production of a recommendation certificate issued by any PTDC Tourist Information Centre and
original passport, to the Divisional Superintendent of Pakistan Railways (at Karachi, Quetta,
Lahore, Sukkur, Multan, Peshawar and Rawalpindi or Station Masters of other principal
stations). Foreign students are allowed 50% concession on production of PTDC certificate,
International Student Card and their passport.
Accommodation: Pakistan offers a wide range of accommodation for tourists. Modern, well
furnished hotel chains like Sheraton and Avari (at Karachi & Lahore), Pearl Continental Hotels
(at Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Bhurban, Muzaffarabad and Abbottabad), Marriott
(Karachi & Islamabad), Holiday Inn (Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Islamabad), Serena Hotels
(Islamabad, Faisalabad, Quetta, Gilgit, Hunza and Saidu Sharif), Pine Park Hotels (Naran,
Khannian & Shogran), Green Hotels (Nathiagali, Abbottabad, Peshawar), Shangrila Resorts &
Hotels (Naran, Chilas, Skardu) offer good services and facilities. There are official Dak
Bungalows and Rest Houses at most of the tourist destinations as well. These are usually
maintained by the Provincial Forest Department, Public Works Department (PWD) or by the
local administration.

PTDC Motels & Youth Hostels: Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) operates
31 motels located throughout Pakistan. Pakistan Youth Hostels Association (PYHA) founded in
1951, also runs a chain of 6 Youth Hostels to accommodate tourist all over Pakistan.
Food: Pakistan has inherited a blend of the culinary traditions of the Moghuls, the Turks, the
Central Asians and the Iranians, so eating out in Pakistan is a great experience. Most of the
restaurants serve authentic and traditional Pakistani dishes straight from the oven, with the
beautiful sights and sounds in the background. Meat, fish and vegetable dishes are seasoned with
spices. Prominently palatable are the grills and barbecues; Seekh-Kabab, Shami-Kabab, Tikka
(barbecued mutton, beef and chicken) and Saji (barbecued leg of lamb). Pakistani mutton and
chicken curries and the oriental rice dish called, Pullao, are also popular with natives and
foreigners alike. Multani sohan halva have popularity around the world.
Visa Policy for tourists:
All foreign tourists coming in Pakistan needs a valid passport. Pakistan Missions abroad are
authorized to grant tourist visa for three months validity and stay with double entry to foreigners
of List-A consisting of 175 countries. Foreign nationals can only apply for Pakistan visa from
their country of origin. Request for visas of a third world country origin will be decided only by
the Ambassador / High Commissioner / Head of Mission. For Northern Areas, the Deputy
Commissioners Gilgit & Skardu have been authorized to allow extension in visa for three months
and one re-entry to the tourists in Northern Areas, charging visa fee as per policy. Recently
Pakistan has introduced new visa policy which would permit nationals of at least 48 countries to
come in Pakistan on visa on arrival. A tourist may import a motor vehicle without duty for period
of 3 months against an undertaking before the Customs Officer at entry point that he will not
transfer the ownership of the vehicle during his stay in Pakistan.