Pakistan

Located in South Asia, Pakistan borders India to the east, Afghanistan and Iran to the west, China to the north, and the Arabian Sea to the south. The capital is Islamabad, though Karachi is the largest city and commercial hub. Urdu and English serve as official languages, while Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, and Balochi are widely spoken. The currency is the Pakistani rupee. The country's cultural identity blends Islamic heritage with pre-Islamic civilisations stretching back to the Indus Valley.

Many nationalities can obtain a Pakistani visa on arrival or through the country's official online eVisa portal, which covers tourist, business, and transit categories. Eligibility and conditions vary considerably by passport. Travellers should consult Pakistan's official visa authority or their nearest Pakistani embassy well in advance of travel.

Mohenjo-daro in Sindh is one of the world's best-preserved urban sites from the Indus Valley Civilisation, dating to around 2500 BCE. The Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, built under Emperor Aurangzeb in 1673, remains one of the largest mosques in the world. The Karakoram Highway winds through dramatic gorges toward Khunjerab Pass. Lahore Fort's Sheesh Mahal, Hunza Valley's terraced apricot orchards, and the ancient Buddhist ruins at Taxila round out a remarkably varied heritage landscape.

Pakistan's climate ranges from arid desert in Balochistan and Sindh to alpine conditions in the north. Summers in the plains regularly reach 40–48 °C, while Islamabad sees a more moderate 35–38 °C. Winters in Lahore average 5–10 °C; northern valleys drop well below freezing. The monsoon affects the east from July to September. The best time to visit lowland cities is October to March; mountain regions are most accessible May to September. Light layers and sun protection are essential.

• Home to K2, Earth's second-highest mountain peak.
• The Indus Valley Civilisation flourished here around 3000 BCE.
• Pakistan has the world's largest canal irrigation system.
• Lahore's walled old city dates back over a thousand years.
• Pakistan produces over 70% of the world's surgical instruments.

• visa.nadra.gov.pk — official Pakistani eVisa and travel authorisation portal
• tourism.gov.pk — Ministry of Tourism Pakistan
• paa.gov.pk — Pakistan Airports Authority, flight and airport information
• pmd.gov.pk — Pakistan Meteorological Department, weather and climate data