Islamabad, Pakistan Report of what it's like to live there - 10/13/08
Personal Experiences from Islamabad, Pakistan
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No - a number of different cities within Southeast Asia as well as Europe.
2. How long have you lived here?
Three months.
3. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government.
4. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:
British Airways recently indefinitely suspended all direct flights from London following the September 20, 2008 bombing of the Marriott Hotel, given security issues associated with accommodation for flight crew. From London, the easiest routing seems to be London-Dubai-Islamabad.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Depends. Good housing is available; however, companies/embassies may (depending on the country) be providing alternate, considerably less attractive housing depending on their orientation towards staff security. Most people I know/work with are highly dissatisfied with their housing situation at present. Would not recommend that you bring a family or spouse.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Similar to North American prices, somewhat less expensive than European prices (depending on the goods).An astonishing range of specialty/import goods is available, particularly British goods. If you want it, you can probably find it - although you may pay through the nose.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Fewer.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
The food is excellent - particularly good concentration of restaurants in the area around Jinnah Supermarket (Sector F7).
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
I don"t. The postal system is unreliable. Fedex and DHL services are available.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Readily available (particularly among the Christian community who find it difficult to obtain remunerative employment) and of varying quality/with varying aptitudes. Inexpensive.
3. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Recent changes to Standard Chartered"s banking software has made it impossible for those on the Interac network to access funds using ATMs, although the bank will advance you funds against your credit card. Citibank (in the Blue Area)seems to accept most ATM cards. This is largely a cash society. Please note that if you attend an ATM on a Sunday or Monday, there is a good possibility that it will be empty of cash. Better days to visit the ATM are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (ie. mid week) after machines have been filled. General rule of thumb: Get as much cash as you can if there is still money in the machine. Service charges are high.
4. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Yes - Christian Catholic and Protestant.
5. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Yes - inexpensive. Dawn News will generally provide a good pulse with regard to current events.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Basic Urdu would be useful, particularly in terms of seeking directions or dealing with traffic police (who scrupulously enforce traffic regulations and fines and are generally considered uncorrupt).
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Great difficulty. There are few to no accomodations for the physically disabled.
Transportation:
1. Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left?
Drive on the left hand side of the road, with right hand drive vehicles.
2. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Are they safe? No. Are they affordable? Yes.
3. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Given the security situation, it"s unlikely that most visitors to Islamabad will require an all terrain vehicle due to restrictions on where it is possible to travel. Toyota parts are easily available and Toyota would generally be the best choice of vehicle, preferably in a light colour due to the heat. If your goal is to "blend in" and not attract attention, a white Corolla will generally be a good choice and retain excellent resale value.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes. Inexpensive.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Get one. Carry it. Ensure that emergency numbers (eg. 15) are pre-programmed.
3. What is the best way to make phone calls back home?
Get an internet connection (DSL) and use Skype or some other VOIP connection.
Pets:
1. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
No.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Conservative. Business casual.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Good.
2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Numerous. Security concerns have been steadily increasing since at least early 2007.The December 2007 assassination of Benazir Bhutto was followed by the bombing of a popular expat restaurant (Luna Caprese) in a thickly settled residential/shopping sector, the bombing of the Marriott Hotel on September 20, 2008, the attempted kidnapping of the American Consul General in Peshawar, and several other kidnappings of foreigners including Chinese and Polish technical staff, followed by a suicide attack on a large police military installation on the outskirts of the city. In the short period I have been here, the airport has been shut down twice due to bomb threats.
Given security barricades, it is difficult to navigate the roads of this otherwise well laid out city given the increase in the security presence. Activities are severely curtailed at this time. The UN has downgraded the security level to Level 3 and UN spokespeople have been quoted as saying that the only places the UN is on a higher level of alert are Baghdad and one other place I can"t recall at the moment.
3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Dengue, malaria, food and water borne illnesses, traffic accidents. Poor ambulance services. In the event of an accident/crisis, all injured parties are taken to PIMS (hospital). Standard of care does not generally meet western standards. Shifa hospital provides a higher quality of care. Some organizations provide access to their own clinics/medical personnel, which should be used to the maximum extent possible for the purposes of primary care. Direct flights to Bangkok available - this is the preferred option for any treatment other than urgent primary care.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Weather is variable - can be cool and very pleasant one day but hot and humid the next.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
No experience with international schools. The UN and the UK have recently repatriated dependents so less of an issue for most.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Decreasing.
2. Morale among expats:
Right now, not very good.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Mostly private gatherings. Very few public gatherings due to the security situation.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Frankly, this is not a good city for any expats at the moment. Movements are severely curtailed due to the security situation.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Women may experience this post differently from men. While Pakistanis are generally extremely warm and hospitable, women are frequently either stared at or ignored when attempting to obtain services.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Nearby Taxila is worth visiting, as is the hill station Murree in the nearby Margalla Hills. Excellent hiking in the Margalla Hills is also available. However, restrictions have recently been placed on the movement of foreigners outside of Islamabad without the permission/protection of the Ministry of Foreign affairs, which introduces additional restrictions in terms of activities that can be carried out.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Furniture, model "jingle trucks" and jingle truck art/decorations.
9. Can you save money?
Yes.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
No.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Valuables.
3. But don't forget your:
Sense of humour, credit card (to obtain cash).
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
6. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
7. Do you have any other comments?
Pakistanis are lovely, warm, hospitable, caring people. The deteriorating security and deteriorating economic situation in this beautiful country are painful to witness given their impact on the average working person who is experiencing very trying personal circumstances as a result of inflation and insurgency. My heart goes out to these people. However, had I been aware of how quickly the situation was deteriorating here, I would have opted to stay home.
