The Islamic Republic of Pakistan or Pakistan is a country located in South Asia. It has a coastline of 1,046 kilometres (650 miles) along the Arabian Sea in the South. Pakistan is also bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the West, India in the East and China in the Northeast. The majority of Pakistanis are Sunni Muslims. Pakistan is the 6th country in the world with the largest population. Pakistan is also the second-largest country with a Muslim population in the world after Indonesia. The origin of Pakistan is part of India. Pakistan split into two, West Pakistan and East Pakistan. East Pakistan is now known as Bangladesh. Pakistan was once colonized by the British and became part of British-India based in Delhi. The ancient Mahenjo Daro ancient civilization site is located in the Indus Valley of Pakistan. The Indus valley was once colonized by former Persian powers and Greek. Later, Pakistan was dominated by Arab, Afghan and Turkish powers. The Indus valley was originally composed of several ancient kingdoms, including Mehrgarh, one of the earliest known ancient cities. Indus Valley civilization is also found in Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. The region has been a subject to several conquerors such as Harappa, Indo-Arya, Persia, Greece, Saka, Parthia, Kushan, White Hun, Afghan, Arab, Turkish and Mughal.

The name Pakistan stands for the words Punjab, Afghan, Kashmir, Sindh and also Balochistan. The name was first introduced in 1934 by Choudhary Rahmat Ali in the ‘Now or Never’ magazine. Pakistan was known as Pakistan Dominion in 1947. Later its name was changed to the Pakistan Islamic Republic in 1956. The country of Pakistan consists of four provinces, Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and the North-Western border. Pakistan also controls some parts of Kashmir which are also claimed by India.

Travellers who want to come to Pakistan need a visa. There are various types of visas that travellers can apply. Some travellers can apply for visas upon arrival in Pakistan. However, visa applications upon arrival in Pakistan are for those travelling with a group or for business purposes. For individual travellers, Pakistan does not offer visa upon arrival. According to Wanderlust magazine, visas to Pakistan are one of the hardest-earned visas. There are 5 countries that do not require visas to enter Pakistan, namely Maldives, Nepal, Samoa, Tonga and Trinidad and Tobago. For Malaysians, you can apply for a visa upon arrival in Pakistan if you come to Pakistan to work or travel with a group. For individual travellers from Malaysia, you must apply for a visa. You can be in Pakistan for 90 days after the visa is approved.

Pakistan has more than 60 languages ​​spoken in the country. Urdu is a lingua franca language and becomes a Muslim identity. This Urdu language is a national language understood by more than 75% of Pakistani society. This language is the primary medium for communicating within the country. However, this language is used by 8% of Pakistani populations. English is Pakistan's official language. It is used in official and government affairs. In addition, Punjabi is the most widely used language among Pakistani populations in Punjab. Saraiki is also commonly used in South Punjab and Hindko. The Sindhi language is used in Sindh while Balochi is used in Balochistan.

Pakistan has three seasons which are winter, summer and monsoon season. Winter in Pakistan is from November to March. Meanwhile, summer in Pakistan is from April to July. The monsoon season is from July to September. The best time to visit Pakistan is from November to March because, at that point, the weather is sunny and cool. If you want to make a jungle trekking in North Pakistan, you can come in April to October. Apart from that month, the weather in the mountains will snow and will make it difficult for you to move around.

There is a wide range of food and drinks in Pakistan. They have a lot of food and beverage variants. Among the most popular food and drinks in Pakistan is dhal, nashta, chickens, raita (vegetable salad and yoghurt), lassi (yoghurt drink), briyani, kebab and so on. Most cuisines in Pakistan influence by India’s cuisines.

How to Get There?

By Flight

Pakistan has many airports. However, not all airports can be used by the public. Pakistan's four major airports are the Jinnah International Airport located in Karachi, Benazir Bhutto International Airport located in Islamabad, the Allama Iqbal International Airport located in Lahore and Bacha Khan International Airport located in Peshawar. Jinnah International Airport is the busiest airport in Pakistan with the largest number of passengers and aircraft movements compared to other airports.

If you come from Malaysia to destinations like Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore or Peshawar, you can take a flight like:

• Karachi - Jinnah International Airport

You can choose to board Pakistan International Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Emirates or Thai Airways flights. However, only Pakistan International Airlines provides direct flights to Karachi. Other flights such as Malaysia Airlines, Emirates or Thai Airways each need transit at another airport. For Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways flights, they will be transit in Bangkok. Meanwhile, Emirates flights will be transit in Dubai. Flight tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Karachi are around MYR1,024 and above. The cheapest airline ticket is from Pakistan International Airlines of MYR1,024. Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Karachi will take 5 hours and 55 minutes.

• Islamabad - Benazir Bhutto International Airport

To get to Islamabad from Kuala Lumpur, you can choose to board Thai Airways flights or Pakistan International Airlines. However, there is no direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Islamabad. The lowest flight ticket price is from Thai Airways at a price of MYR1,017 for one way. If you are riding Thai Airways to Islamabad, you need to transit at Suvarnabhumi International Airport first before departing for Islamabad.

• Lahore - Allama Iqbal International Airport

For those of you who want to go to Lahore, you can take the Pakistan International Airlines or Thai Airways. There is no direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Lahore. Pakistan International Airlines offers the lowest airfare ticket price of MYR845 per one way.

• Peshawar - Bacha Khan International Airport

For those of you who want to go to Peshawar, you can choose flights such as Pakistan International Airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates. No direct flights are offered by any airlines. The cheapest flight ticket price is from Pakistan International Airlines which is MYR1,025. By taking Pakistan International Airlines, you need to transit in Karachi first before arriving in Peshawar.

What to do There?

Karachi

Mohatta Palace Museum

Mohatta Palace Museum is located in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. It is built next to the beach by Shivratan Chandraratan Mohatta. The museum exhibits the cultural artefacts found in Pakistan.

Mazar-e-Quaid

Also known as the Jinnah mausoleum or national mausoleum. It is the place of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.

Lahore

Sheesh Mahal

The Sheesh Mahal is located within the Shah Burj block on the corner of the North-West corner of the Lahore Fortress. It was built in 1632 and has a very beautiful architecture.

Lahore Fort

Lahore Fort is located in the city of Lahore. Lahore Fort is located at the northern tip of the Lahore Town Wall.

Badshahi Mosque

This Badshahi Mosque is located in the Punjab area. The mosque was built in 1670 using red sandstone and has 4 charming towers.

Islamabad

Faisal Mosque

This mosque is located in Islamabad. This mosque has a contemporary architectural feature. The mosque also has 8 concrete sides inspired by the Bedouin tent.

Pakistan Monument

This monument is shaped like a blooming flower. It is a country monument and a heritage museum in Pakistan. This monument is symbolic of the unity of society in Pakistan.

Where to Stay?

Pearl Continental Lahore

Hotel Pearl Continental Lahore is located in Lahore, Pakistan. The hotel offers a variety of services that are interesting for you. The hotel staff will also serve you with the best hospitality. The hotel also has many restaurants that are offering a variety of cuisines.

Dreamworld Resort, Hotel and Golf Course

This hotel is located in Karachi. This hotel is one of the best hotels you can get in Karachi. The hotel offers beautiful views for you to enjoy and relax with friends or family. There are many facilities available at Dreamworld Resort, Hotel and Golf Courses such as water activities, horse riding and more.

Islamabad Serena Hotel

This 5-star hotel will surprise you with its beauty and luxury. Islamabad Serena This hotel is located in Islamabad. The quality, service and facilities provided are excellent. The location is also very strategic as it is located in the middle of Islamabad city.

Karachi Marriott Hotel

This Karachi Marriott Hotel is located in the city of Karachi. This hotel is a 4-star hotel. This hotel promises a stay you will never forget. The service provided is very good. There are several restaurants within this Karachi Marriott Hotel. You can try all the cuisine in this hotel. You can feel at home as you stay at the Karachi Marriott Hotel.

Pearl-Continental Hotel Peshawar

This hotel is located in Peshawar. It is one of the best hotels in Peshawar. The quality of their food, room and service at the hotel is one of the best in Peshawar.