Packing list for Pakistan, travel insurance for Pakistan, and taking your belongings

What to take to Pakistan: brief

To pack and check

• Documents: a passport valid for at least another 6 months and a pre-arranged visa or e-visa (depending on nationality), offline copies, at least 4 passport photos. Some areas are heavily guarded. If you visit these areas, it is advisable to have multiple copies of your documents and visa so that you can easily present them.
• Money: Pakistani Rupee (PKR). ATMs are possible in cities, but cash is important, especially outside urban areas. US dollars and euros (undamaged banknotes) are a good backup.
• Clothing: covering, loose, airy clothing. Pakistan is predominantly conservative and clothing plays an important role in respectful interaction. Layers for when you go into the mountains.
• Personal care: sunscreen and lip balm with a high SPF.
• Shoes: sturdy hiking boots or at least good closed shoes, certainly for mountainous areas or unpaved roads. Slip-ons can be handy for cities and traveling transport.
• Medicines and travel first aid kit: comprehensive first aid kit with ORS, anti-diarrhea medication, and personal medication. Hand sanitizer and tissues are also indispensable.
• Outdoors and practical items: reusable water bottle, flashlight, and possibly a scarf or buff.
• Technology and equipment: Type C and G universal adapters may be encountered. Type D is very rare. A power bank is a must, as power outages are not uncommon.
• Transportation: an international driving license is useful for road trips (e.g., if you plan to drive the Karakoram Highway).

To consider

• A warm jacket for the mountains.
• Offline maps; mountain areas are impressive but remote and therefore often without coverage.
• A large scarf/dupatta for visiting religious sites.
• A small gift from your home country. Hospitality is important in Pakistan, so it is always nice to be able to give something back.
• When you know where you will be going, you know what to pack. Pakistan has great geographical variation, with coastal areas and some of the highest mountain ranges in the world (Karakoram and Himalayas).

Are there mosquitoes in Pakistan?

• Yes, especially in warmer lowlands, cities, and during the monsoon season (July-September). In high-altitude areas, the risk is much lower.
• Dengue and malaria occur in several areas.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Pakistan?

• Yes, especially in warmer and drier regions. They can also transmit leishmaniasis.
• More about sandflies and sandfleas.

Can you buy DEET in Pakistan, or other mosquito repellents?

• Yes, mosquito repellents are readily available in the cities.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Pakistan, or bring it to Pakistan?

• Cannabis has historical and religious roots in, particularly, the north of Pakistan. The country is also one of the largest producers of cannabis and hemp. However, this is strictly regulated, and cannabis use and possession are illegal in Pakistan.
• If you are caught with cannabis in your possession, there are severe penalties.