Some Interesting Facts about Pakistan

Public Holidays

Pakistan’s religious festivals include Eid-al Fitr, Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (birth of Prophet Mohammad), Ashoura and Eid-ul-Adha. The dates of these celebrations depend on the local sightings of various phases of the moon and thus vary from year to year.
Date 2005  Occasion
January 21  Eid Al Adha
February 20  Ashoora
March 23  Pakistan Revolution Day
April 21  Prophet's Birthday
August 14  Independence Day
September 6  Defense of Pakistan Day
November 3 -5  Eid Al Fitr
November 9  Allama Muhammad Iqbal Day
December 25  Birthday of Qaid i-Azam (general holiday)
Christmas Day (Christians only)

Weekend: Friday, Saturday

Weights and Measures

Pakistan follows the metric system of measurement.

Electricity

Electricity is supplied at 220 Volts and 50 Hz.

Customs & Duties

Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in to the country. On entry, please get your video camera, if you have one, endorsed by the Pakistani customs officials on your passport. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars are allowed. Apart from these, all items of personal use in reasonable quantities are exempt from customs and duties.

Post & Communications

Postal, telegraphic and telephone services are available throughout the country. You can also get fax and telex facilities in the major cities. The Pakistan Postal department offers special services including the Local Express Service (LES), Urgent Mail Service (UMS), Air Express and International Speed Post (ISP) and Surface Air Lifted Mail (SAL). There are Poste Restante facilities in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. Private courier services offer door-to-door facilities, though at a higher price. More than 100 cities in Pakistan are linked with the direct dialling system. Mobile phones are also available in big cities and can be hired on a daily basis. Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore have cyber cafes where you can surf the net and check your mail. The Pakistan Railways is in the process of establishing large numbers of cyber cafes.

Tipping

Generally hotels and restaurants add on a 5 – 10% service charge to the bill, but tipping or what is locally known, as baksheesh is an accepted norm. Taxi drivers, railway porters, and clerks at official counters, all routinely expect some baksheesh. In the villages however, paying additional money is not welcome as it goes against the norms of traditional hospitality.