Alcohol
Liquor can be
ordered in five star
hotels but the cost
may be prohibitive.
You can not purchase
liquor freely in the
shops; however, you
can get a drinks
license by taking
your passport with
you and declaring
yourself a
non-Muslim foreigner
to your nearest
prohibition office
of Excise and
Taxation Department.
Area Code
The telephone area
code for Lahore is
042. The country
code is 92.
Banks
State Bank of
Pakistan is the
central bank.
Several national and
international banks
have their offices
in Lahore. Banking
Hours are usually
from 9:00 am to 1:30
pm although banks
are open for other
transactions until
5:00 pm. Check with
the local branch of
your bank for
opening hours.
Several banks offer
24-hour
ATM facility
Furthermore, you may
exchange currency on
national holidays or
at odd hours at
Lahore International
Airport bank booths,
which are open round
the clock.
Bookstores
All first class
hotels have a
bookstore or book
counter where
English-language
books and magazines
can be found. These
bookstores also
stock books on
Pakistan of interest
to tourists. The
Mall has several
well known bookshops
e.g. Ferozesons,
Kirn's Bookshop and
Vanguard.
Business Timings
Government Offices
are open Monday
through Saturday
from 8:00 am to 4:00
pm with lunch break
from 12:00 noon to
1:00 pm, except
Friday which is half
day. Post Offices
are open Monday
through Saturday
from 9:00 am to 4:00
pm except Friday
which is half day.
Most Private Offices
operate from 9:00 am
to 6:00 pm Monday to
Friday, with one
hour for lunch break
from 1:00 pm to 2:00
pm. Shops usually
open at 10:00 am and
remain open until
late, in some areas
until 8:00 or 9:00
pm. For Banking
Hours see Banks
above.
Car Hire
You can hire a car
at the airport and
at most first class
hotels. Most car
hire companies
provide
chauffeur-driven
cars. Car hire
services normally
have a fixed rate.
For long hauls and
long-term hire you
may be able to
negotiate a better
rate. For hiring
charges see under
Car Rental Services
in Section 1 of this
chapter.
Children
Although some canned
baby food is
available, it is
best to carry your
favorite brand of
food for the baby.
Children should only
be given bottled or
filtered boiled
water, which they
should use for
brushing their teeth
as well.
Credit Cards
Most hotels and
large restaurants
accept credit cards,
though smaller
hotels and hostels
etc. may insist on
receiving payment in
cash.
Communications
Pakistan is
connected within the
country and outside
with telephone,
telegraph, fax and
internet. You will
find internet
connections
available in post
offices as well. In
business districts
and more prosperous
areas there are
several outlets
where fax and e-mail
can be sent and/or
received. There are
several courier
services for
dispatch of letters
and packages.
Normally a letter
sent through them is
delivered within
twenty four hours in
the country and in
seventy two hours
outside Pakistan.
Private sector
organizations
provide courier
service to all major
cities in Pakistan
as well as
destinations all
over the world. The
more well-known are:
DHL Courier,
165-P, Gulberg II,
(tel. 575-7010 to40;
fax 575 7060).
Gerry's Courier
Service, 23, Ali
Complex, Empress
Road, (tel.
631-2142, 630-9695).
Federal Express,
26 B, Sarwar Road,
Lahore Cantt., (tel.
111-711-111).
Shaheen Courier,
96 Mozang Road,
(tel. 630-4941 to
66; email shroff@globat.net.pk).
TCS Courier,
58-D/l, Gulberg III,
(tel. 111-123-456,
576-1000; fax
5758675; email tcssoft@tcs.co.pk).
Apart from private
organizations
Pakistan Postal
Service, with its
12,000 post offices
all over the
country, provides
similar services at
a lower rate. Urgent
Mail Service is also
available at an
extra charge. The
most central post
office is G.P.O.
(General Post
Office), Sharah-e-Quaid-e-Azam
(The Mall), (tel.
921 1304, 921-1306;
fax 723-7395). At
most post offices
parcels and foreign
mail etc. are
accepted during
morning hours only;
however, with its
business centers,
internet cafes and
philatelic bureaus,
the postal service
is fast becoming one
of the best services
in the country,
providing
increasingly
efficient services.
Driving
Driving in Pakistan
is on the left hand
side of the road.
You will need a
valid national or
international
license. Turning
on a red light is
not allowed. The
right of way is
always to vehicles
coming from the main
road and those
coming from the
left; however don't
be surprised if
speeding buses and
minibuses force
their own right of
way. For newcomers
to Lahore the
chaotic traffic
conditions might be
even more unnerving
than Karachi, and
will take getting
used to. You will
have to employ all
your skill and
ingenuity in
defensive
driving—with
speeding vehicles,
rickshaws, motor
cycles and even
carts trying to get
ahead of you.
Driving should never
be undertaken under
the influence of
drugs or alcohol.
ElectricityPakistan
uses 220-240 volts
50/60 cycles AC
system. Although
electric supply is
much improved, there
are times when load
shedding is carried
out. If you plan to
use your computer
while in Lahore,
make sure that you
save as often as
possible— saving
every fifteen
minutes is a .good
idea.
Emergencies
In an emergency,
first call your
hotel front desk,
then your country's
Consulate for
advice. Contact
hospitals listed in
Section 5 of this
chapter. In case of
need of an ambulance
call Pakistan Red
Crescent, (tel.
630-4702 to 03), or
Edhi Welfare Centre,
(tel. 440-154,
444-460).
Etiquette
It is particularly
important that due
reverence is shown
when visiting
mosques (masjid) and
shrines (mazar or
dargah). As a
tourist you will be
welcome in mosques
and shrines as long
as you show respect
by being properly
attired and removing
your shoes before
entering the
building or the
courtyard. Women are
advised to cover
their heads with a
scarf. You might
like to wear socks,
since the courtyard
floor may be
uncomfortable for
walking barefoot.
Visits to mosques
should be confined
to between prayer
hours.
Hotlines
Ambulance
(tel.630-4702 to 04,
723-1181, 722-8198).
Bomb Disposal (tel.
735-2828).
Edhi Ambulance
Service (tel.
440-154,440-159,444-460).
Fire Brigade (tel.
16).
Police HQ (tel.
920-0261 to 67).
Police Emergency
(tel. 15).
Fatimid Foundation
(tel.
586-3950,585-3491).
Pakistan Red
Crescent (tel.
630-4702 to 03).
Air Travel
Airport Reservations
(tel. 922-0759).
Cargo information
(tel.
627-05217,377-244 o
45).
Flight Enquiry
General (tel. 114).
PIA Flight Enquiry
(tel. 922-0786).
PIA Reservation
(tel. 111-786-786).
Blood Bank:
(tel.586-3950,585-3491).
Pakistan
Red Crescent (tel.
630-4702 to 03).
Fatimid Foundation
(tel. 586-3950); Chowk Mayo Hospital
(tel. 723-3466).
Foreigners'
Registration Office: S.S.P. Office,
Gaddafi Stadium
(tel. 735-2968).
Railway Enquiries
City Station (tel.
117)
Telephone
Phonogram (tel.
116).
Telephone Enquiry
(tel.
17).
Trunk Call Enquiry
(tel. 103).
Trunk Call Booking
(tel. 109).
International Call
Enquiry (tel. 104).
International Call
Booking (tel. 102).
International Call
Direct Dialing (tel. 00+Country
Code).
Language
The national
language in Pakistan
is Urdu while
English is the
official language.
In Lahore, English
is widely understood
and is spoken by
most educated
people. Urdu is
spoken by almost
everybody. For
dealing with
shopkeepers in more
modestly priced
shops, you might
find it convenient
if you learn a few
words of Urdu to be
able to negotiate
prices. A glossary
of common terms is
given in Chapter 14.
Laundry/Dry-cleaning
Laundry service is
available in First
Class Hotels where
they offer a same
day or 24-hour
service for laundry
and dry cleaning.
Dry-cleaning outlets
in the city also
offer 24-hour
service. For an
expensive garment it
is, best to use one
of the first class
hotel for
dry-cleaning
service.
Libraries
Lahore is famous for
its libraries. Some
of them are listed
below:
The British Council
Library, Mozang
Road,
(tel.636-7603).
Children's Complex
Library, Race Course
Road, (tel.
630-1881).
Dyal
Singh Trust Library, Nisb.et Road, (tel.
723-4436).
Lahore Chamber of
Commerce Library, 11 Shahrah-e-Aiwan-e-Tijarat,
(tel. 630-5538).
Punjab Public
Library, Adjacent
Lahore Museum, Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam
(The Mall), (tel.
732-5487).
Quaid-e-Azam
Library,
Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam
(The Mall), (tel.
732-5487).
Newspapers/Magazines
There are several
daily newspapers
that are published
from Lahore; the
best known of
English dailies are
the The Business
Recorder, Dawn, The
Nation and The News
published from
Lahore.
A well-known weekly
published from
Lahore is The Friday
Times. Two
English-language
monthly magazines of
general interest
published from
Karachi are News
line
and Herald. The
Holiday Weekly
contains information
related to the
tourism industry.
The oldest and the
best women's
magazine is She. The
newspapers and
magazines have their
own websites which
can be easily
accessed.
There are a large
number of
publications in Urdu
and regional
languages, which
cover a vast array
of political and
general topics. The
most popular Urdu
newspapers are Jang,
Khabrain,
Nawa-i-Waqt and
Pakistan
International
magazines available
in bookshops and
hotel news-stands
include Time,
Newsweek, The
Economist, Asia week,
and Far Eastern
Economic Review.
Other Items
Many Opticians and
good quality
eyeglasses and
contact lenses are
available, but it is
best to carry an
extra pair in case
of emergencies. If
you are planning to
use low-budget
hotels, carry your
own towel and soap,
pre-moistened
towellettes and
toilet roll.
Pets
Before deciding to
bring a pet in the
country, contact
Pakistan
Embassy/Consulate
for latest
regulations.
Photography
Photography of
military
installations,
airport and bridges
is strictly
forbidden. It is
best not to
photograph women. If
you wish to take
shots, it is better
to use a telephoto
lenses which will be
more discreet.
Usually there is no
problem when women
photograph women but
it is best to get to
know them first
before photographing
them.
Photographic Needs
Photographic films
e.g. Fuji, Agfa,
Konica, and Kodak,
are readily
available from shops
in almost every area
of the city.
Sometimes it is
difficult to get
good quality black
and white film;
however, color film
for prints and
slides is widely
available. Most
photographic shops
offer one-hour
service for
developing and
printing post card
size color prints.
For larger sizes 24
hours or more are
required. The
developing of slide
film also takes at
least 24 hours. Most
photographic shops
provide service for
passport size
photographs. The
following is a list
of a few photography
shops:
Agfa Gaevart Pak
Ltd., Davis Road
(tel. 636-17501)
AI-Hafeez Colour
Lab, Chamberlain
Road, (tel.
722-9478).
Fuji Colour Pakistan
Laboratory, 3-A Wahdat Road, (tel.
516-14175).
Kodak Pick Up Point,
The Mall, (tel.
630-2073).
Some well-known
portrait
photographers
include:
Bhatti Photographer,
Hafeez Centre,
Gulberg, (Tel.
576-2868).
Rollo, 33-K, Gulberg
II, (Tel. 877-996).
Zaidis
Photographers,
23-The Mall,
(Tel. 735-4097).
For camera repairs,
ask your hotel
reception desk for a
trustworthy photo
repair shop.
Religious Services
Mosques are located
in each area and
within walking
distance wherever
you might be. On
occasions of Eid-ul-Fitr
and Eid-ul-Azha
there are large
congregations in all
mosques as well as
large grounds. There
are several
churches,' Hindu
temples and Sikh
Gurdawaras in the
city.
Restrooms
Lahore is not a city
that readily offers
public toilets. But
you will not have
any problem in
finding restrooms in
first class hotels
and quality
restaurants, where
they are normally
accessible from the
entrance lobby. In
more modest
restaurants toilet
paper may be in
short supply and it
is best to carry
your own.
Safety
Pakistanis in
general are
extremely hospitable
people. Lahoris are
particularly
welcoming to
tourists. But there
can always be those
who might try to
take advantage of a
stranger to the
city. Be always on
your guard and
ensure that your
valuables are
carefully stowed
away and take
especial care of
your passport. Most
first class hotels
are quite safe, but
if you plan to stay
in budget hotels,
lock up your
valuables in the
safe deposit box.
Carry a copy of your
passport with you.
Television/Radio
Pakistan Television
is state owned.
Through its channel
PTV World it has
programs covering
a large spectrum
from general
entertainment to
current affairs,
sports, women's
hours and news etc.;
its channel PTV
provides general
entertainment. Other
private channels
include ARY, Indus
Vision, and Geo,
which present
interesting
entertainment and
news programs.
Pakistan Radio is
state-owned as is a
music radio channel
FM 101. Another
music channel, FM
100, is a private
radio channel.
Through satellite a
host of
international
channels are also
available including
BBC and CNN.
Time
Pakistan Standard
Time is five hours
ahead of ahead of
London, nine hours
ahead of New York
and twelve hours
ahead of San
Francisco.
Tipping
For porters the
usual tip is 20 to
25 rupees. Taxi tips
are usually 10% of
the fare. In many
restaurants and
hotels you will find
that service charges
are normally added
in your bill.
Tipping in hotels
varies according to
the standard of the
hotel. |
