Pakistan
Last update 22 May 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 4: Termination warning throughout the country (except in case of extreme necessity)
4
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The Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna V, Plot 6/11; Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: 0092 51 2600846
Office hours: Monday-Friday; 09:00 – 17:00 hrs
www.mfa.bg/embassies/pakistan
Consular Section
Office hours for applicants with scheduled appointments: Tuesday and Thursday, 12:00 – 14:00 hrs
All applicants are required to book an appointment in advance.
Tel: 0092 51 2600846
Е-mail: [email protected]
Honorary Consuls of Bulgaria in Pakistan
Mr. Aslam Khaliq
Address: H No1, Street No9, Falcon Complex-Faisal, Shaheed-e-millat Rd, Karachi, Pakistan; SNPA-7A, Block-3, Delhi Mercantle Co-operate Housing Society, Karachi-74800
Tel: + 92 21 34314255; + 92 21 34530361; + 92 21 34530362
E-mail: [email protected] ; [email protected]
Mr. Saad Ali Khan
Address: House 232, Z Block Defense Housing Authority, Phase III, Lahore, Pakistan
House 230-A, Street 13, E – 7, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: + 92 51 2652167; + 92 51 2652875
Fax: + 92 51 2652522
E-mail: [email protected]
Mr. Faisal Saleem Rahman
Address: 6 Park Avenue, University Town, Peshawar
Tel: + 92 91 7250078; + 92 91 7250079
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
Crime and security:
The security situation in Pakistan is still complex and unpredictable. The terrorist threat remains relatively high. The terrorist acts in the country, expressed in exploding improvised explosion devices, suicidal assassinations, attempts on the life of political parties’ representatives, are amongst the major applied methods and have caused the perish or injury of many people. Most of these attacks are planned in advance to cause more victims and damages. Amongst the major reasons thereof there may be mentioned the extremism, conflicts on religions and sextants ground, as well as the regional political differences, and the conflict in Afghanistan.
Usually terrorist acts are realised at public places, such as hotels, restaurants, transport centres, market places, during religious celebrations and events, including places visited by tourists. In this connection, recommendable is the use of good hotels with safe guard, disposing of metal detectors; and, of course, no place can be regarded as completely safe. Visits of mosques at praying time, and especially during the traditional Friday pray, must be avoided.
There is a high risk from demonstrations and civil insurrection that may sometimes become bloody and cause perishing of people and destruction of property. The risk from terrorist attacks is higher at the big cities of the country such as Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. In this connection, foreigners visiting Pakistan must avoid political meetings and demonstrations. In the capital Islamabad, the situation is relatively more relaxed.
Criminality represents a serious problem, mainly in Karachi.
Armed robberies, shooting, armoured attacks against vehicles are typical for the big cities.
Traveling by car must be avoided after falling of the night in the rural regions where roads are bad and bandits’ attacks happen frequently, especially in the provinces of Sindh and Punjab. Car windows must be closed, valuables hidden.
The small-scale criminality is distributed. Hence personal items and passports need to be kept all the time at secure place. Mainly mobile phones, cash, credit cards and passports are usually stolen.
In some cases narcotic drinks and food are proposed to foreigners, aiming robbery. Hence, it is recommended not to take any food or drinks from unfamiliar people.
There is a high risk for kidnappings of foreigners for ransom. Kidnapping cases on political or criminal reasons in the country are growing. In this connection, maximum vigilance shall be exercised.
Upon extreme situations, you shall dial the number of 15.
Bulgarian citizens are recommended to register themselves at the Consular Office of the Embassy in Islamabad after their arrival at Pakistan. This is necessitated in view of providing support to them in case of extreme circumstances, such as natural calamities, public disorders, etc.
Law specifics:
Foreigners travelling in the country shall strictly observe the local legislation. A serious breach may cause arresting and imprisonment. Punishments are undergone at local prisons. The customs and laws of the county stick to the Islamic religion and practice. In this connection, the local religious and social traditions have to be respected in order not to hurt the feelings of the local citizens.
Generally, it conservative clothing is recommended. Short trousers for men, as well as for women, should be avoided, especially in the districts remote from the big cities. It is recommended for women to wear shawls on their heads.
Alcohol and its use in Pakistan are forbidden and the breach of this prohibition may lead to arresting or imposing of penalty.
Punishments for the possession of narcotic substances or the use of such are heavy and sanctioned by imprisonment, heavy penalties or deportation. For drugs traffic, killing, raping and blasphemy death sentence may be imposed.
Homosexuality is prohibited, as well as co-living without marriage.
Photo shooting of governmental institutions, military objects and airports is prohibited.
In the country restrictive regime is imposed on travelling to a number of districts. Thus, the Bulgarian citizens arriving in the country shall be informed through the Embassy or through the immigration authorities about the districts restricted for travel.
Recommendable is to avoid travel to districts where military operations are in pace and where terrorist organizations are active, such as the region of Azad-Kashmir, the Balochistan province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, including Swat, the city of Peshawar, the Federal Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA).
Road traffic:
The traffic in the country is left. Roads are not in good condition, with the exception of the highway to Lahore. Traffic accidents are frequent. The use of public transport and taxis is not recommended. Driving of a motor vehicle by a foreigner requests the possession of an international driver’s license.
Healthcare:
The availability of health insurance for people travelling to Pakistan is recommended.
The big cities of the country dispose of specialised health care institutions, though in general the health care is not at a satisfactory level.
In big hospitals medical care is expensive and paid in advance, as a rule.
In Pakistan, during the summer and spring, there is a risk of being infected with Dengue fever, which is spread by mosquitoes in the regions of Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi. Public health care authorities pay efforts for its limitation.
Before travelling to Pakistan, it is recommended to get a vaccination against hepatitis and tetanus – diseases which are distributed by contaminated food, water.
It is recommended not to drink water from the water supply network, and if drunk, the water must be boiled, or bottled water is to be used.
Fruits and vegetables must be disinfected before use.
Local currency:
Pakistani rupee (PKR). The biggest note is of par value 5000 rupees; in use are also banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees.
Travel papers and visas
For any type of travel to Pakistan – official visits, business visits, tourism, medical treatment, etc. the possession of visa is requested. At the time being under process of negotiation is a new treaty for lighted visa regime for persons holding diplomatic and official passports. Applying for visa is carried out at the consular office of the Embassy of Islamic Republic Pakistan in Sofia.
For obtaining of information about the necessary documents for applying for visa, the Bulgarian citizens wishing to travel to Pakistan shall address the Consular Office of the Pakistani Embassy in Sofia.
Competitive service
Consular services will be provided to Bulgarian citizens, with proven urgent and immediate need and without creating risks to the staff. Persons with disease symptomatic, or who had visited recently countries largely affected by COVID-19 or who had contacts with an infected person, shall not visit the Embassy and the Consular Department. Every visitor shall enter the premises of the Consular Department with his/her own protective mask. This is due to sanitary and hygienic measures and with regards to the health status of visitors and staff.
If necessary, the Bulgarian citizens visiting the country may rely on the consular support on the part of the Embassy.
In this relation it should be known that consular support may not be rendered in some regions of Pakistan where foreigners’ visits are prohibited and for which a special permit for access of consular officers from all diplomatic missions is requested.
Certification and Legalisation:
The consular office at the Embassy performs verifications of the seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and of the seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of R. Bulgaria, as well as verification of signatures.
Issuing of Bulgarian identity documents:
The Embassy of R. Bulgaria at Islamabad, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, at the time being does not issue personal documents – passport, personal identification card, driver’s license. The Embassy issues temporary passports, if necessary.
Civil status:
The Embassy registers civil cases – birth, marriage or death and issues for free the necessary documents thereof.
Fees:
- Verification of the seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan – 20.00 EUR;
- Verification of signature – 15.00 EUR