Pakistan for work

[Anonymous]

So I just found out I will need to start traveling to Pakistan for work (international development, not NGO). I think it will primarily be Punjab. I am American and I am nervous. I told work I'd rather not go, but that is not an option. It will likely be 2-4 trips/year. Anyone BTDT? Any hints/tips/advice? We have a local office in Islamabad & I have plenty of colleagues in DC who go and don't seem too concerned. Am I being overly paranoid?

[Anonymous]

Are you a man or a woman?

[Anonymous]

My family is Pakistani and we've never had issues. A white friend of mine lives and works in Islamabad. She seems happy.

Are you nervous about security or comforts?

[Anonymous]

Never been to Pakistan but I travel to India for work.

I dreaded going and put it off for a few years.
It was 1000 times better than I was expecting.

I think you will be fine OP. You just need to go the first time and see what it is like for you. I can almost guarantee it won't be as bad as you think.

[Anonymous]

Never been to Pakistan but I travel to India for work.

I dreaded going and put it off for a few years.
It was 1000 times better than I was expecting.

I think you will be fine OP. You just need to go the first time and see what it is like for you. I can almost guarantee it won't be as bad as you think.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for the responses. To answer a few questions:

1) I'm female
2) I'm concerned re: security, not comfort.

To the India traveler, I've traveled a lot in India both personally & for work and it doesn't bother me at all. Somehow Pakistan feels like a whole different kettle of fish and it's got me really anxious.

[Anonymous]

Are you sort of olive toned or very fair or not white at all? Not a huge difference but one stands out to strangers (although you'll stand out anyway by how you carry yourself.

Honestly, I would get a new job. It's just not worth the risk to me. Pakistan is a whole different animal than India, which seems chaotic enough to me (speaking from personal experience). But at least in India you have some infrastructure in place that would be helpful if something bad, God forbid, were to happen.

And going as a woman to Pakistan? Sorry, not doing that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you sort of olive toned or very fair or not white at all? Not a huge difference but one stands out to strangers (although you'll stand out anyway by how you carry yourself.

Honestly, I would get a new job. It's just not worth the risk to me. Pakistan is a whole different animal than India, which seems chaotic enough to me (speaking from personal experience). But at least in India you have some infrastructure in place that would be helpful if something bad, God forbid, were to happen.

And going as a woman to Pakistan? Sorry, not doing that.

Meant to say - going as a woman for work and unaccompanied? Sorry, not doing that.

[Anonymous]

Hell no. I would give my notice.

Pakistan is not India. The two don't compare.

I would not feel safe traveling to Islamabad as a foreign woman (I wouldn't as a man either honestly).

[Anonymous]

Lahore? I'd go. It is a relatively liberal and urbanized area. Lots of well educated professionals. You will attract attention. Western women get openly stared at a lot.

It isn't a life sentence and you can quit and leave anytime you want.

[Anonymous]

So how did you get this job if you aren't willing to go? Presumably travel was part of the job description?

That being said, I (white, pale woman) have gone several times. You don't get out much, but whatever organization you are working for takes your security very seriously. Ask them what their practices are and where they get their security information.

[Anonymous]

If you quit, I'll take your job.

[Anonymous]

Have female colleagues travelled there? What did they say?

Can you arrange for private transportation? What do your colleagues do?

Do you have anyone who can tag along and travel with you?

Personally, I wouldn't go. I've already turned down two work assignments to India. I'm super white and blonde, and I feel like I would be a bit of a target after speaking to friends and colleagues who traveled there. Plus, I know I would get a food borne illness. And I feel like Pakistan is much more dangerous than India...from a terrorist standpoint.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you quit, I'll take your job.

+1 -- Do you have any openings?

[Anonymous]

You'll be fine. One way not to stick out too much is to dress conservatively. If you're in the rural areas of Punjab, wear a longish shirt that covers your butt. And wear long sleeves. And a shawl. If you can bear wearing the local dress (shalwar kameez) even better, but not necessary. In the urban centers of Lahore, Islamabad or Karachi, you can definitely wear a sleeveless blouse/shirt with no shawl. You could do a skirt if its below knee length. Capris are fine .. lots of Pakistani women wear those.