Pakistan: What to Know Before You Go

Cuisine Highlights

• Nihari, slow-cooked beef or lamb shank stew simmered overnight with bone marrow; the definitive breakfast dish in Lahore and Karachi
• Biryani (Karachi-style), intensely spiced rice cooked with beef, potatoes, and whole spices; more pungent than Indian versions
• Chapli kebab, minced meat patty fried in tallow with crushed coriander and pomegranate seeds; originating from Peshawar
• Sajji, whole roasted lamb or chicken rubbed with salt and cooked over open coals; a Balochi specialty
• Lassi (salted or sweet), thick yogurt drink; the salted version with cumin is essential alongside spicy dishes

Traditions & Festivals

• Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, the two most important religious celebrations; cities transform with feasts, family gatherings, and charity
• Basant (Lahore), a spring kite-flying festival where the skies turn yellow; restrictions have limited it in recent years but it remains culturally alive
• Pakistan Day (March 23), military parade in Islamabad showcasing jets, weaponry, and cultural floats
• Urs festivals at Sufi shrines (especially Data Darbar, Lahore; Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Sehwan), qawwali music, dancing, and pilgrimage

Language & Communication

Urdu is the national language; English is an official language used in government, education, and business. Over 70 regional languages are spoken including Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, and Balochi.

English is readily spoken in cities and tourist areas. Key phrase: "Shukriya" (شکریہ) means thank you in Urdu.

Cultural Etiquette

• Pakistan is deeply hospitable, you will be invited for tea constantly; accepting even briefly shows enormous goodwill
• Dress conservatively throughout the country, men and women should cover arms and legs, especially outside major cities
• Remove shoes when entering mosques and most homes, a shoe rack at the door is the standard cue
• Avoid using your left hand to eat, give, or receive items, the right hand is always preferred