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Pakistan
Tours Limited (PTL)
PTL, a subsidiary of PTDC is working as a pioneer
tour operating agency and is responsible for organizing tours/arrangements
of transport and accommodation for foreign and domestic tourists
in Pakistan. Its Head Office is located in Flashman’s Hotel,
Room No.16 & 17, The Mall, Rawalpindi. Tel: +92-51-9272017-8
Fax: +92-51-9272020 E-mail: ptl@isb.comsats.net.pk. PTL is operating
transport service between Pak-China border on Karakoram Highway
(KKH) from Sost (Pakistan) to Taxkurgan (China) between Lahore and
Delhi,(India) Lahore and Amritsar (India), Nankana Sahib (Pakistan)
and Amritsar (India) and from Rawalpindi to Naran for the convenience
of local and foreign visitors. PTL transport is also hired out to
foreign and domestic individual and group tourists. Daily air-conditioned
tourist coach service operates during summer season (June-August)
from Rawalpindi to Naran, Saidu Sharif and Kalam.
Travel with in Pakistan
Road: Pakistan has an extensive network of roads
and highways, linking cities and towns with each other, like the
Grand Trunk Road (G.T. Road) with Lahore and Peshawar and the Super
Highway the National Highway links Karachi with the interior of
Sindh and Punjab while the Indus Highway links Peshawar with the
Southern Punjab and the RCD Highway links Karachi with Quetta and
Taftan (Pak-Iran border). Karakoram Highway the 8th wonder of the
world, connects Pakistan with China (Kashgar) through Islamabad,
Abbottabad, Mansehra, Besham, Chilas, Gilgit, Hunza, Sost and Khunjerab
Pass (4,733 m above sea level). A landmark has been achieved with
the completion of Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M2), Faisalabad-Pindi
Bhatian Motorway (M3), Islamabad-Peshawar (M1)Motorway and Karachi
Gwadar Costal Highway, which have opened some of the remote areas
of Pakistan for visitors.
Public Transport
Taxis, 3-wheeler auto-rickshaws, vans, buses, mini
buses and tongas (horse driven carriage) are used to travel within
the city/town/village limits whereas inter city air-conditioned,
non air-conditioned buses, vans and coaches are available from the
main city bus terminals. Taxi cost approximately US$ 0.20 per kilometer.
Extra 10% for late hours. The cheapest bus/van ticket (one-way)
in a city (between two stops) is approximately US$ 0.05. (Daewoo
Bus Website: sammi.com)
Trains
Pakistan has over 12,700 kilometers of railway network. The main
lines run from Karachi to Peshawar connecting important cities of
Hyderabad, Rohri, Bahawalpur, Multan, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Taxila
and Peshawar. Another main line links Quetta with the rest of the
country. A number of trains run between Quetta and Karachi via Sukkur.
Although there are several daily trains, the faster trains among
them like Shalimar Express, Karakoram Express (Lahore-Karachi) and
Rail Car (Lahore-Rawalpindi) have more comfortable air-conditioned
compartments for travellers. Advance booking is required from the
Railway Reservation offices throughout Pakistan. (Website: www.pakrail.com)
Pakistan Railways allow a 25% concession on all classes to foreign
tourists (both for groups and individuals). This concession is allowed
on production of a recommendation certificate issued by any PTDC
Tourist Information Centre and original passport, to the Divisional
Superintendent of Pakistan Railways (at Karachi, Quetta, Lahore,
Sukkur, Multan, Peshawar and Rawalpindi or Station Masters of other
principal stations). Foreign students are allowed 50% concession
on production of PTDC certificate, International Student Card and
their passport. (Pakistan Railway Website: www.paknet.com)
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