5 Things You Didn’t Know About Pakistan
Pakistan is a land of history, culture and nature combined. Being a less popular destination, there are so many hidden gems waiting to be discovered. From its people, culture, food, to its
languages and safety concerns, here are 5 things you didn’t know about Pakistan.
Friendly people and their hospitality
Feeling welcome in a country is what all travellers want. Rest assured your wish will be granted in any part of Pakistan. Not having heaps of foreign tourists on their land, people get curious and most would want to invite you over for a meal and introduce you to their family.
Be prepared for the whole village to greet you upon your arrival. If you are there to visit friends, their friends and families of friends will all want to meet you and show you around for a true Pakistani experience.
Hospitality in Pakistan is unmatched. Everyone wants to take you home to show you off and treat you like a king. You will feel pampered in a very good way.
Pakistan is a meat heaven
Vegetarians and vegans may struggle a bit to find food in Pakistan. The majority of food choices contain meat. Chicken, beef and lamb being the most common. Food is not pricey in Pakistan and the quality is exceptional. Each region has their local specialty. For example, painda is famous in Peshawar (in the north-
west of Pakistan). Painda in the local language means “a group of people sitting together”. Perfect way of describing how food unites us.
Weddings are a big thing
Pakistanis take their weddings very seriously. A wedding can last for three weeks with activities going on every day. Light decorations will be put up all over the house so people know their neighbour is getting married and send their blessings.
Weddings are for everyone. You don’t have to know the bride or groom to attend one. Random strangers often crash weddings with the good heart to send their blessings while the host would make sure to prepare extra food for any party-goers ready to join. Celebrations are not exclusive. If you can be happy for the couple, you are welcome here.
Urdu is not similar to Arabic
One thing people often mistake in Pakistan is thinking Urdu and Arabic are similar, or even just different dialects of the same language. Knowing how proud Pakistanis are for their culture and language, this is a mistake you don’t want to make.
Saying Urdu and Arabic are similar is like saying Cantonese and Mandarin are similar, or that German and Italian are similar. They may share some alphabets, but the structure, grammar and usage are not at all comparable.
Pakistan is very safe
Misconception flying around about Pakistan being dangerous is outdated. The country is safe and the people take their security seriously. In all major shops, there are armed guards standing by. Security checkpoints before you enter a hotel or any major complex.
The level of security they place keeps everyone safe. Shootings, armed robbery and heavy crimes are rare in most parts of the country. Petty crimes are just as common as anywhere else in the world. Keep your personal belongings in check and Pakistan will keep you safe.
The biggest takeaway from my trip is to never judge a country purely from the media. For years, Pakistan was depicted as the crime capital of the world and the impression is imprinted in most people's mind. Pakistan is a safe country for the most parts and has a lot to offer. Being there and truly feeling the culture and hospitality was a fantastic part of the journey.
From now on, I'm definitely more keen to explore more countries like this hidden gem. There are so many treasures waiting to be uncovered in these less popular travel designations. You just have to be willing to take the first step!
More than just these 5 things to know about the country gifted by nature, a trip there will not disappoint you. Everything comes together and Pakistan excels in almost every aspect regarding tourist hospitality!
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