Transportation in pakistan

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.pakrail.com)