When most travelers think of Pakistan, they picture towering mountain peaks, ancient Mughal architecture, and endless hospitality. They imagine navigating the Karakoram Highway under the shadow of the Karakoram Range or tasting street food in Lahore’s historic walled city.
But after spending months exploring Pakistan’s vibrant cities and remote northern valleys, I’ve learned that the real adventure is navigating the quirks of its infrastructure. Pakistan is a country that runs on a completely different set of digital and physical rules. If you arrive unprepared, you can easily find your mobile phone locked, your credit cards rejected, or yourself stuck at a mountain checkpoint with absolutely no way to proceed.
To make sure your journey is smooth and memorable, here are 5 weird, quirky, and essential things you must know before traveling to Pakistan in 2026.
1. The 60-Day DIRBS Mobile Device Lock
If you’re planning a long trip through Pakistan, you might think the easiest option is to buy a local physical SIM card (like Jazz or Zong) at the airport. However, Pakistan has a highly strict device registration policy called DIRBS (Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System), managed by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Under this system, when you insert a local Pakistani physical SIM card into a foreign mobile phone, the network registers your phone’s IMEI. You have a grace period of exactly 60 days. If you stay beyond 60 days without registering your device and paying the local customs import duties (which can be incredibly high for premium smartphones), your phone’s IMEI will be permanently blocked from accessing any local cellular network.
The Tourist Hack: If you are staying for more than 60 days but less than 4 months, you do not need to pay the tax. You can register your device for a temporary, tax-free period of up to 120 days online through the official PTA portal. You will need your passport number, visa details, and your exact entry date. If you use a travel eSIM (like TravelyData) and bypass inserting a local physical SIM card entirely, you can completely avoid this headache.
2. SCOM: The Only Mobile Lifeline in the Hunza Valley
If you head north to the Gilgit-Baltistan region—home to the breathtaking Hunza Valley, Skardu, and Fairy Meadows—you will experience a massive network surprise. The country’s largest national mobile operators like Jazz, Zong, and Telenor, which offer blazing-fast 4G in Islamabad or Lahore, will suddenly drop to zero bars or slow 2G speeds.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, the only network that reliably works is SCOM (Special Communications Organization), a localized telecommunications operator run by the military. SCOM is the sole lifeline for mobile data in the mountains.
If you want a local connection in the north, you must buy a physical SCOM SIM card from an authorized franchise in Gilgit or Hunza. Be prepared to present your original passport and visa for biometric fingerprint registration. The queues can be long, and the registration process for foreign passports takes time, but it is the only way to get online when surrounded by 7,000-meter peaks.
3. The Passport Photocopy Trail (Checkpoints)
In 2019, Pakistan officially abolished the requirement for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for foreign tourists visiting popular northern destinations like Gilgit, Hunza, and Skardu. This made mountain travel far more accessible. However, this doesn’t mean you can travel without checkpoints.
As you travel along the Karakoram Highway, you will encounter multiple military and police checkpoints. At each stop, officers will board your vehicle or ask you to step out to log your entry for safety and security tracking.
Pro-Tip: Before heading north, print at least 15 to 20 paper photocopies of your passport photo page and your Pakistani visa page. At each checkpoint, instead of waiting for the officer to manually write down your passport details in a logbook, you can simply hand them a photocopy. They will thank you, and it will shave hours off your total travel time.
4. Bykea, Orange Line, and the Rickshaw Haggling Dance
Navigating traffic in cities like Lahore and Karachi is an art form. While Lahore features the state-of-the-art Orange Line Metro Train—an automated rapid transit system that runs at 80 km/h and connects 26 stations across the city—and a modern Metrobus system, you will eventually need to ride in a rickshaw.
Traditional three-wheeled auto-rickshaws are unmetered. You must negotiate and agree on a fare before you sit down. If you do not bargain, you will pay a heavy “tourist tax.”
If you want to bypass the traffic and haggling entirely, download the local ride-hailing app Bykea. Bykea allows you to book a motorcycle taxi ride. You hop on the back of a local rider’s motorcycle, and they will weave through gridlocked streets with ease. It is cheap, fast, and an absolute adrenaline rush. Indeed, many travelers on Reddit suggest that using Bykea is not only the cheapest way to travel but also the safest way to avoid the “tourist tax” markup of traditional taxis.
5. Standard Chartered ATMs and the Cash-Only Bazar Trap
While digital wallets and mobile bank transfers are popular among local residents, Pakistan remains a cash-dominant society for travelers. If you walk into historic bazars like Lahore’s Anarkali Bazar or Karachi’s Tariq Road, credit cards are completely useless. You will need paper Rupees (PKR) for everything, from purchasing traditional truck-art souvenirs to buying street food.
The challenge for foreigners is withdrawing cash. Most Pakistani bank ATMs will immediately reject international Visa or Mastercard debit cards. To avoid getting stuck without cash, hunt for Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) or HBL (Habib Bank Limited) ATMs, which are the most reliable for foreign cards. Always notify your home bank of your trip to Pakistan beforehand, or they will flag your card and block it on your very first withdrawal attempt.
Bonus Delicacy: The Clanging Rhythm of Kat-a-Kat
If you visit Lahore’s famous Food Street at night, you will hear a sharp, rhythmic metal clanging sound echoing through the air. Follow the sound, and you will find a chef standing before a giant, sizzling flat griddle, holding two metal blades.
This is the sound of preparing Kat-a-Kat, a traditional Lahori street delicacy. It is a dish made from minced lamb or beef offal (typically brain, kidney, and heart), cooked with fresh green chilies, ginger, tomatoes, and local spices. The chef uses the sharp metal blades to chop and mix the meat directly on the hot griddle, creating the distinct “kat-a-kat” sound. It is served sizzling hot with fresh naan and is a must-try for any adventurous foodie.
Stay Connected as You Explore Pakistan
Whether you are checking the Orange Line schedule in Lahore, booking an inDrive ride in Islamabad, or translating Urdu signs, having reliable mobile data is absolutely essential. You cannot navigate Pakistan’s checkpoints or register your device online if you are constantly disconnected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a visa to visit Pakistan?
Almost all tourists must apply online for a tourist e-Visa via the official Pakistan Online Visa System portal before departure. Processing usually takes 7 to 10 working days.
Will my phone get blocked in Pakistan if I use a local SIM?
Yes, under the DIRBS rules, any phone using a Pakistani physical SIM card will have its IMEI blocked after 60 days unless registered. Foreigners can register their device for up to 120 days tax-free online.
Is credit card widely accepted in Pakistan?
Cards are accepted in shopping malls and high-end restaurants in major cities, but cash is mandatory for traditional bazars, street vendors, and local transport.
Do I need an NOC to visit the Hunza Valley?
No, the NOC requirement for foreign tourists visiting Hunza, Gilgit, and Skardu was abolished. However, you will pass multiple checkpoints; keeping 15-20 photocopies of your passport and visa is highly recommended.
Which mobile network has the best coverage in Hunza?
SCOM (Special Communications Organization) is the only network with reliable coverage in Gilgit-Baltistan (Hunza/Skardu). Major national networks like Jazz or Zong have very poor or no signal in the mountains.
The smartest way to get online immediately is by purchasing a high-speed travel eSIM before you board your flight. With a eSIM Pakistan của TravelyData, your phone will connect to Pakistan’s top local cellular networks (like Zong and Jazz) the moment your plane touches down. You get instant access, unlimited data options, and zero roaming fees—giving you the freedom to navigate Pakistan’s quirks like a seasoned explorer. Safe travels!
