Please - need information about Pakistan. Iltimos - Pokiston haqida ma'lumot kerak

[barakalla]

Dear forumees.

I need some info about Pakistan. Particularly i need to know about Lahore. Maybe some of our forumees been there and know something/anything.

Is there any GSM cellular companies and if "yes", how do i get a sim-card and get my phone connected? Do they require a contract (like in US - one year, two year)?

What's the decent place to stay at (approx. 20 days)? Not necessarily the most expensive hotel (i even doubt Lahore has one), it could be even some private appartment... How to look for a place, especially right from the airport?

This is probably it for now, if i have any further question - i'll ask them later. If anyone has some other information he/she wants to share - you're more than welcome

Any help will be appreciated


Aziz forumdoshlar.
Pokiston haqida ma'lumot kerak edi. Asosan Lahor degan shahar haqida. Balkim u-bu kim u erda bo'lgan va menga yordam bera oladi.

Pokistonda GSM uyali aloqa kompaniyalari bormi? Bor bo'lsa, ularga ulanish yoli qanaqa bo'ladi? Bir, ikki yillik kontrakt tuzishni majbur qilishmaydimi?

Ikkinchi masala - turar joy masalasi. Tahminan 20-25 kunlarga qaerda to'htash ma'qul bo'lar ekin? Joyni qaerdan qidirgan ma'qulroq - joy/qulayliklar/narh asosida?

Hozircha savollarim shulardan iborat - yana savol tug'ilsa - yozarman.

Oldindan barcha javoblar uchun minnatdorchilik izhor etaman.

[Ohos]

Lahore...... (http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Pakistan/Punjab/Lahore-1310056/TravelGuide-Lahore.html)

Ufone, Lahore (http://www.ufone.com/contactus/index.shtml)

[Auditor]

Is there any GSM cellular companies and if "yes", how do i get a sim-card and get my phone connected? Do they require a contract (like in US - one year, two year)?


the biggest mobile operator is, if I'm not wrong Paktelekom
& they are not requiring such stupid contarcts

What's the decent place to stay at (approx. 20 days)? Not necessarily the most expensive hotel (i even doubt Lahore has one), it could be even some private appartment... How to look for a place, especially right from the airport?


5 star hotel Marriott - it costs you about $120 per day.... :cool:
secure enough belive me

[Auditor]

flight from Tashkent-Lahor cost you about $1700

you gonna transit Dubai....probably Sharja

[barakalla]

5 star hotel Marriott - it costs you about $120 per day.... :cool:
secure enough belive me
Since it's not a touristic trip and i'm planning to stay there for at least 20-25 days - prices $$120-150 per night at those hotels are kind of expensive for me.

I thought maybe someone knows some other ways of accomodation there, some private places - out of personal experience

flight from Tashkent-Lahor cost you about $1700
you gonna transit Dubai....probably Sharja
I think we already find a flight to Lahore from Tashkent - via Deli - for about $700

and my flight will be from US..

[barakalla]

I heard the exchange rate of Pakistani rupee to $US is about 59 to 1

How does it work over there? You can just exchange it anywhere or there are some "black" markets like in Tashkent?

[Hamitovich]

I heard the exchange rate of Pakistani rupee to $US is about 59 to 1

How does it work over there? You can just exchange it anywhere or there are some "black" markets like in Tashkent? Hehhehe...takje kak po sebe lyudei ne sudyat takje i po svoei strane drugie strani ne sudyat :)....v Pakistane svobodniy rinok...mojesh menyat gde ugodno. A vot v Uzbekistane...ladno ne budu ob etom.

[pawel1976]

Well it is just by chance that I am in this forum.

Actually I was looking for some information about Uzbeksitan.

I live in Lahore Pakistan and I can provide you answers of some questions if I am not late.

Q-1
Cellular company

There are currently five cellular companies operating in Lahore
Warid (www.waridtel.com (http://www.waridtel.com))
Mobilink (www.mobilinkgsm.com (http://www.mobilinkgsm.com))
ufone (www.ufone.com (http://www.ufone.com))
paktel (www.paktel.com (http://www.paktel.com))
Telenor (www.telenor.com.pk (http://www.telenor.com.pk))



current mobile system in all over Pakistan is SIM (Subscriber Identification Module system) based on GSM 900/1800

How you get a connection?

You will need a passport photopy, and nominal purchasing cost of the sim ($5.0 yes u read it correct) and you will have the connection SIM.
SIM is just a small Microprocessor based chip and you will need any GSM fone to use this SIM. If you have a Nokia, Ericcson, Sony or any other phone that can accept SIM card, you can use it here.

How much will it cost?

All four companies have two types of packages
Pre-paid
post-paid

In pre paid system, you get the SIM, buy a recharge card and start calling. may be this is the only option suitable for you.

In post paid system, that is much like a contract, where you deposit security, get connection, and pay at the end of every month.

basic difference is the cost of call per minute between two packages.
pre paid is slightly expensive than post paid.

also before buying any company's connection please check their offerings, some cmapanies have special overseas calling rates, like telenore is from europe and provides low rate for calling europe.
Warid is from Dubai and calling middle east is cheaper using warid.

Where you can buy?

All five connections are available all over the city in super marketes, mobile shops, airport, even Tuck shops and just ask your Taxi driver and he will stop by a shop while going from Airport to your hotel.
You can get online before you reach your room.

It is better if you have a mobile set but very cheap mobile phones are available there like $50 brand new and 25$ for used.

Dont go for used set coz it is never reliable and moreover used set have no warranty.

PS. if you wanna use WAP services or mobile internet for your laptop or palmtop? Only Ufone provides that service, so go for that connection.
need any more info feel free to message.

Q-2
Hotel or accomodation

Lahore has hotels ranging from 5-Star to 0-star (if there is any 0-star on the earth)

The best and Most expensive Multistars are
Perl Continental Hotel (http://www.pchotels.com.pk)
Holiday Inn (http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotelsearchresults?_requestid=853585)
Avari Hotel (http://www.avari.com/avarilahore/aboutus.htm)

Then comes the above average class
Lahore Hotel
Amir Hotel
Hotel Ambassedor
and many more
check (http://www.lahore.gov.pk/attractions/hotels.htm) for a proper listing with their contact details.

Hoteling in Lahore is very wast range, you can find reasonable hotels from minimum $15 a day to $150 , depending upon the facilities ,location and package (like meals, laundary etc)

Accomodation

Paid Guest
In lahore you can live as a paying guest in different areas,it will be lot more cheaper than hunting for a hotel.
How to become a paying guest? a hard question, you will have to advertise in local newspaper for that purpose or contact someone living in Lahore.
famous and most common newspapers for this are The NEWS(http://www.thenews.com.pk/), and Dawn (www.dawn.com (http://www.dawn.com)).
an local language version of THE NEWS , called as JANG (http://www.jang.com.pk/)is also good choice. All above newspapers are online and you can look for classified ads section to find accomodation deal offers.

Rent a Flat (best for long term)
alernately you can rent a flat for one month in well under $500 or even less. In $500 you can enjoy a luxury flat for full one month. To get booking and arrangement you need to watch again newspaper classified section, or contact some real estate agent. here is a brief list and you can go for agencies that carry "Defence" or "Gulberg" in their address.
(http://www.getpakistan.com/Lahore/RealEstate1.htm)


Exchanging the money

US$ is abot 1:60 with plus minus 1 or 2 normally.
that is 1US$ will give you 60 Pak Rupees.
Money exchange is open in the market, and you can get money exchanged from major banks and money exchanger outlets, else a giant in this field is KK (http://www.kkionline.com/) with branches all over Pakistan.

Transport

Well as you have planned to stay for more than two weeks, it is better to rent a car for that purpose because transportation is the only problem Lahore is facing due to increasing population.
A good almost new car alongwith a driver for one month you can rent under 500$. off course you will be maintaining the car for that period with fuel charges.

Where to rent?
There are numerous rent a car shops in Lahore
major areas famous for this purpose are

1-Jail Road (a whole road full of rent a car dealers)
2-Defence Main Bouleward
3-Samnabad Main Bouleward
4-Iqbal Town Main Bouleward

You can rent a car right from the airport but it will be expensive deal.

Sightseeing
I am not sure if you are planning to visit some good sites in Lahore, but you can enjoy your stay, there especially if you like historical and cultural rich city with a lot of variety in food to offer.

Must see sites
these are some sites that you must visit if you eaver want to claim you have been to Lahore in your life.
1-Lahore fort
2-Walled city of Lahore
3-Badshahi Masjid (Mosque)
4-Lahore Museum (it is closed on one day in every week please check)
5-Shalamar Garden
6-Race course park
7-Palm Trees Golf course


Optional sites (if you have time)

Alhamra Art Centre
Jinnah Gardens
Jahangir & Noor Jehan Tomb (The Famous Mughals)
Minar-E-Pakastan Monument
Gaddafi Cultural Complex
Fotress Stadium Shopping Centre
Liberty Market
Sozo Water Park
Lahore national Zoo
Lahore Gymkhana
Hiran Minaar (1 hr drive from Lahore)
Jallo Forest Park
Changa Manga Forest Park (1 hour drive from Lahore)Food

Lahore has one of the most richest taste in food where you can find korean, chinese, indian, typical Pakistani, continental and arabic meals in very reasonable prices.
There are many famous restaurents at M.M.Alam road Gulberg like Ziafat or Village where you can enjoy a bufet in under $20 with more than 20 types of food items.
Some good food spots list I have attached for your reference. It is a little bit aged now but I hope most of the detail is correct.

Must taste food items

1-Fish by Bashir Darulmahi situated at Mozang Choongi
2-Bhayye Ke Kabaab in Model Town
3-Lassi in Gawalmandi
4-Aalloo Chanay (Potato & chickpeas) by Ghulam Rasul in Neela Gunbad
5-Siri Paaey by Fajja in Taksali bazar (inside old walled city of lahore)
and a lot more

Shopping

well for shopping it is always upon what you want to purchase.
Garments and shoes, go to Liberty Market or Origa complex Main bouleward Gulberg.

for Electronics items go to Hall road
Mobile phones and computers, Hafeez centre Gulberg and Hall road.

Gift items, soveniours and local handicrafts, go to Shah Aalam Market, or Anarkali.

and I hope your local guide can guide you much better.



Some good Informational links about Lahore
(http://www.lahore.gov.pk/) official govt site about lahore but very little useful.
(http://www.apnalahore.com/)
(http://tdcp.punjab.gov.pk/TDCP/index.html) a govt site for tourism


Was this information helpful?
Any more questions? you are always welcome.

I am sorry these days I am in Yokohama Japan and not in Lahore, else I would have welcome you personaly, I wish you have a nice visit.

[barakalla]

Well it is just by chance that I am in this forum.

<skipped>
thanks and have a nice trip.

thanks a lot for you help and guidance. I came back yesterday after spending 3 weeks in Lahore.
http://www.forum.uz/showthread.php?p=460065#post460065

As people say there: "Lahore Lahore he" (not sure if i spelled it right :)