Information For Tourists
Do’s & Don’ts :
- The Pakistani people are well known for their tolerance, hospitality and cheerfulness. Tourists visiting Pakistan are enouraged to observe some common customs and practices. Some common customs are as follows:
- When the national anthem is played, at any social gathering and at public events or in cinemas, for example, you are expected to stand. The best guide is to check what other people are doing and follow suit.
- Shoes must be removed when entering places of worship such as mosques and shrines. Its is advisable for ladies to wear long skirts and sleeves when entering sacred places.
- Drinking in public or toasting is not a common practice in Pakistan. The country’s large Muslim population does not drink alcohol.
- Keep a fair amount of local currency with you. Having plenty of 100s, 500s and 1000s Rupee bills is the perfect way to pay for goods and services in Pakistan.
- The common method of greeting in Pakistanis shaking hands and saying “Aslam o Alakium”.
Customs Regulation
- Personal belongings are most generally allowed and customs officers are courteous and cooperative, however importation of alcoholic beverages and drugs into Pakistan is strictly prohibited. Non-Muslims and foreigners can purchase alcoholic beverages from shops and hotels that hold permits.
- No restrictions are imposed on foreign currency amounts. Rupees and foreign currency exchange is unlimited but currency exchange certificates recording the value you wish to exchange should be kept.
- There are no limits on items to be exported if you have a export permit. Dealers that hold export permits can make arrangements for you or permits can be obtained. Requirements for a permit are photocopies of your passport, purchase receipts, a letter of request from your address to the Chief of Controller of Imports and Exports, and any shipping receipts. Receipts should show the amount in foreign currency, as well as the total rupee to foreign currency exchange rate, officially signed and stamped. All unaccompanied baggage requires an export permit before release will be allowed.
- An Airport tax upon departure is required by passengers whether leaving for domestic or international destinations.
Climate of Lahore
Lahore features a five season semi-arid climate: foggy winter (15 Nov – 15 Feb) with few western disturbances causing rain; pleasant spring (16 Feb – 15 April); summer (15 April – June) with dust, rain storms and heat wave periods; rainy monsoon (July – 16 September); and dry autumn (16 September –14 November).
The hottest month is June, where average highs routinely exceed 40 °C (104.0 °F). The wettest month is July, with heavy rainfalls and evening thunderstorms with the possibility of cloudbursts. The coolest month is January with dense fog.
The city’s highest maximum temperature was 48.3 °C (118.9 °F) recorded on May 30, 1944 And 48 °C (118 °F) was recorded on June 9, 2007. The lowest temperature recorded in Lahore is –1°C, recorded on 13 January 1967. The highest rainfall in the city recorded during 24 hours is 221 millimetres (8.7 in), which occurred on 13 August 2008.
