Backpacking through Balochistan?

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Pashtun belt and upper balouchistan n major cities r safe........Enter frm iran to quetta... then visit hingol,ziarat,chaman etc.. into punjab,sindh or KPK its upto u.

 

[Mech]

there is nothing to be reclaimed in Baluchistan...its all about winning the hearts and minds of Baluch people..and few insurgents there are foreign aided ,they will be eliminated.

I'm sorry, i thought it was a battle for territorial control. I dont have a lot of knowledge about the situation developing there but i know there is a tough battle between government forces and insurgents. I guess it can be very difficult for a civilian living in between. Do he people in balochistan have access to basic amenities? like food, water, electricity? The sad part is few insurgents can cause so much pain. And that pain is not just restricted to one or two but to the whole community of civilians caught in between.

Apologies for bringing it up in a tourism related thread, and thanks for answering.

 

[flameboard]

Stick to cars and buses and avoid open long and deserted roads with bicycles and should be fine.

 

[BelligerentPacifist]

Balochistan is not unsafe, like some believe. The North Eastern tip is more troubled but you don't have gunmen running around 24/7. Just last week a party of quite a few friends went camping and scuba diving.

 

[Xeric]

The bottom line is that there isnt anything to worry about till the time you stick to the plan i.e traveling by air/train/bus. But if you plan on camping or traveling by foot/bicycle, it go risky.

 

[SEAL]

If you have complete documents you can enter into Pakistan(Balouchistan) from Iran-Pakistan Taftan border through bus/train.

 

[BATMAN]

The bottom line is that there isnt anything to worry about till the time you stick to the plan i.e traveling by air/train/bus. But if you plan on camping or traveling by foot/bicycle, it go risky.

How unfortunate is it.
What the hell Baluch govt. doing to make it safe for visitors.

 

[Secret Service]

I'm sorry, i thought it was a battle for territorial control. I dont have a lot of knowledge about the situation developing there but i know there is a tough battle between government forces and insurgents. I guess it can be very difficult for a civilian living in between. Do he people in balochistan have access to basic amenities? like food, water, electricity? The sad part is few insurgents can cause so much pain. And that pain is not just restricted to one or two but to the whole community of civilians caught in between.

Apologies for bringing it up in a tourism related thread, and thanks for answering.

Insurgents are not big problem.they are small in number , supported from Afghanistan..Baluchistan is the most backward province in Pakistan...over the last ten years many developmental projects are started but still Baluchistan is not getting what it deserves beside it has billions of dollars worth of gold , copper ,gas and other mineral reserves...

 

[Meengla]

I would say travel quickly through Baluchistan. Get to Gwadar and take the magnificent Mekran Coastal Highway to Karachi. I have not heard of troubles along that route. Quetta? Too close to heat unless you travel in a Burqah.

All the damned security issues are SUCH A SHAME! We Indians, Pakistanis, and Chinese, and others in the region should be able to travel freely. Oh, we would-be world travelers: Imagine: From Chennai (and even the SE Asia) to the westernmost lands of Scotland! All via land. Imagine that?! But we have unimaginative political classes out to take advantage of each others' weaknesses while the others can travel from Alaska to Patagonia (almost!) all on all land, from Scotland to Istanbul--all on land.

 

[Patt4220]

Thanks everyone for all your information!! Sorry for the late reply, wasnt expecting so much response so soon. It is so difficult to find any recent information on the Lonely Planet travel forum and the internet.

Thanks Leader for your concern, although i am always an optimisst and tend to agree (based on what i´ve read from other experiences from people taking this route on LP and what i read from the others here) that should i go straight through with the Bus from the border to Quetta, then directly onto the train if possible to Multan or Lahore, the chances are pretty low of something bad happening. My main interestests are the KKH, and the cities, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar if its safe?

As for the border crossing, i think its only possible to cross at the Taftan border and it doesnt seem very practical to take public transport to Gwadar and then the coastal road???. The photos of this stretch look amazing though. I am organising my visa in the coming month from the Pakistan Embassy in Bern and hope to spend a month in Pakistan. Can´t wait!!

Thanks again

 

[Leader]

Patt once you cross the Baloch Belt, enter Quetta, and leave, its all heaven. KKH, Multan,Lahore, Islamabad, Peshwar(dont try to enter FATA)....no problem whatsoever...

and in case you want any help, just let me know. if you want to spend time in Quetta and nearby Pashtun belt, I can ask some friends to facilitate you in that... and if you coming to Lahore, the pleasure is alllllll mine... just send me a private message.

 

[Leader]

Taftan border and it doesnt seem very practical to take public transport to Gwadar and then the coastal road???.

I did advise that but I dont have any real time information about the situation of transportation. I will ask some friends tomm and let you know.

 

[Omar1984]

Balochistan seems like such an amazing place. Its really unfortunate the rebels cannot be thwarted. In india we have naxals like you have in balochistan. I wish your country can reclaim it completely as soon as you can, seems like a shame to let it go to waste.

Dont worry, once the Indians and the Americans are out of Afghanistan, Balochistan will be a tourist's paradise just like the Northern Areas of Pakistan were before 9/11.

The problem we have with our western provinces is foreigners meddling in our internal affairs through neighbouring Afghanistan. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is safe now thanks to the Pakistan Army defeating militants in Swat, Balochistan will also be a success but it will take more time in Balochistan because its our largest province by total area.

 

[Omar1984]

Hello, i am a young Australian/Swiss Guy planning to travel overland to Pakistan from Turkey this Summer. I have read it is not safe to travel through Balochistan. Is this correct? I would only be passing through on my way to the North via Bus and train. It is very difficult to find recent information about the Situation for travellers there. Would be great to get some local opinions. Thankyou! Pat

Just wait buddy until this freight train becomes a passenger train:

First train on Turkey-Iran-Pakistan railway arrives in Istanbul | General | World Bulletin

And why do you want to travel by road from Turkey to Pakistan.

Do you know how much gas money that will cost you? Its better you travel by plane.

 

[Patt4220]

Thanks again Leader for being so helpful. Will send you a message when i know approximately when i will arrive in Lahore. I think i will probably go straight through Quetta and on to Multan or Lahore, but thanks again! In the mean time i am keeping an eye on the security situation for backpackers, mainly in Balochistan. My Mum is freaking out a little ha!