What facts about Pakistan do foreigners not believe until they visit Pakistan?

[ghazi52]

What facts about Pakistan do foreigners not believe until they visit Pakistan?

R B Daley, studied at University College London
Answered Aug 29, 2018 ·

1. that women can live normally there. I mean really, no thanks to Bollywood films and tv serials made by producers sitting in los Angeles. there are literally people who believe that Pakistan's 157 Million women. All are Burka clad, Uneducated and are locked up at home. when they see women without Burkas, working in schools/hospitals/shops etc. I swear they almost die. Also I have a few friend from India that came. I'm not even lying these guys couldn't believe that there were women on the roads of Lahore, wearing jeans and full of makeup with their hair uncovered (I know I was laughing at them. they were so clueless)
2. That's it's not all Muslims. and that non Muslims are living normal there. Yes. showed some Indian friends churches, Gurudwara, temples which were being used by the local Christian/Sikhs and Hindus. These guys were in shock. I'm Christian and when they saw my house they literally said “wow. we thought non Muslims are put into slums in Pakistan, but you live in suburb???”(I didn't even bother responding)
3. No one really hates India. I have to say this. I went to Delhi around 7 years ago to a friend's wedding. now when I told them my family is originally from Lahore, many people became uncomfortable, infact my friend (who was getting married) told me that some of his relatives have been calling me a “terrorist” and I one of their kids came and said “porkie”. now I just ignored it. However in Pakistan, no one will ever disrespect you if you are from India. In fact you will get overfed and have a lot of hospitality from Pakistanis.
4. Also India believes Pakistan to be a terror state. So many Indians think if they visit Pakistan they can't go anywhere else. I can assure you, that the rest of the world does not have us listed as a terror state. There's millions of overseas Pakistanis living in Europe and America etc. so don't worry.

https://www.quora.com/topic/Pakistan



Jim Dorcy, Finance Professional/photographer Indo Pak relations (2002-present)
Answered Nov 2, 2018 · Author has 157 answers and 101.9k answer views



Cities are safe unless until you are traveling to violent hinterlands. Most Pakistanis like Indians so you wont face a problem. Most Pakistanis are warm and nice to non Muslims unless until you get into the eyes of some militants and face Daniel Pearl kind of incident, which are rare. If you are Indian you will be under close watch from ISI and they will shadow you at times. All the best!!

 

[ghazi52]

Sally Ryan, Freelance Photojournalist (1998-present)
Answered May 25, 2018 ·

I first went to Pakistan for work, and went again on my own for a 3-week trip because I loved it so much the first time.

Most people here in the States assumed I would be assaulted, kidnapped or worse, as a white, western woman. But that is laughable.

Yes, I take precautions like any solo traveller, but I never had a problem, and often toured Karachi alone.

It is helpful to have a local resident help you navigate a city the size of Karachi, and the Pakistani hospitality is the best I’ve ever encountered. There is a curiosity factor on both sides, especially in a city like Karachi where many foreigners aren't that visible outside of the more cosmopolitan areas. Instead of feeling awkward by being stared at, I would smile, nod my head, and this often led to lovely conversations.

If I asked for help, advice or access to something, the general response was “Yeah, sure, why not?” That should be the national motto of the people of Pakistan, because their eagerness to help is unparalleled.

I made lifelong friends in Pakistan, and hope to take my husband young daughter with me next time.

I’m not going to get into politics, because as an American I have no room to pass judgement. But as with any country, the government is rarely representative of the people you will meet on a daily basis.

Dil dil Pakistan!

 

[trishna_amṛta]

that women can live normally there. I mean really, no thanks to Bollywood films and tv serials made by producers sitting in los Angeles. there are literally people who believe that Pakistan's 157 Million women. All are Burka clad, Uneducated and are locked up at home. when they see women without Burkas, working in schools/hospitals/shops etc. I swear they almost die. Also I have a few friend from India that came. I'm not even lying these guys couldn't believe that there were women on the roads of Lahore, wearing jeans and full of makeup with their hair uncovered (I know I was laughing at them. they were so clueless)

"Normal" is a matter of perception and tend to be localized. Although I've had circumvent this planet several times, I've never been to any part of South Asia or Middle East. So here is sincere question, just how normal is the normal there?

Also India believes Pakistan to be a terror state.

Sorry for saying this, but India ain't the only country who's gov't believe the notion. There are other country who's also share similar position (albeit unofficially) regarding Pakistan.

Cities are safe unless until you are traveling to violent hinterlands.

There are always such places in any country, and journalist always wrote the news narrative out of their proportion.

But as with any country, the government is rarely representative of the people you will meet on a daily basis.

Excellent point there . And don't forget that news medias are in the business of making money out of bad news, and that mean their narrative tend to be out of touch with day to day reality.