15

I don't remember if any French tourist was killed in bomb explosion in bus.When was it & where in Pakistan?

16

They were not tourists but workers:

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attentat_du_8_mai_2002_%C3%A0_Karachi

Sorry it's in French.

RR.

17

This is from one guy,just did this : It is from CouchSurfing,maybe it helps ..He did it few days ago

"Hi everybody. I thought someone could find this useful once, as this seems to be trouble area and it's always good to have some recent infos beforehand..

When I arrived to Zahedan from Bandar-e-Abas by bus - early morning - I tried to find another bus to Quetta, of course unsuccessfully. Everyone would just forward me to the taxi which would try to charge me 15 000 tumans, as solo passenger, after some hassling 6 000 tumans shared taxi right to the border crossing Taftan. At first I wouldn't believe but soon I realized there is really no bus and young taxi drivers were more interested in my sunglasses than providing the service. At the end, after I refused pay 12 000 tumans as solo passenger, they said they have no more passengers and forwarded me to local Police office located in the bus terminal.
Finally, with "very important" local police assistance I managed to agree on 10 000 tumans to take taxi with another guy - Pakistani citizen who later turned to be mentally disturbed and tried to convince me I provide him with invitation letter as he wish to visit Slovakia...(?) The matter of fact he was uncontrollably forming fingers of his right hand in the shape as he is holding a gun, pointing them towards own head and imaginary shooting every now and then was another thing.. Even taxi driver sitting next to him didn't mind it..
Journey took an hour with couple of security checkpoints and I arrived shortly before border CLOSED DOWN, I think it's sometimes around 3pm.
I crossed swiftly with no problems, my Pakistani "friend" unfortunately not as his visa was just expired, and then went through several again obviously "very important" stages like customs, Levies forces registration - sorting out and security escort and then finally bunch of guys offering money exchange in Terribly bad rates without will to negotiate.
As there was no more buses running from Taftan to Quetta in the afternoon, I agreed to stay overnight at the Levies - Police station, however dodgy it was looking and once I signed I wish to be escorted, they almost imposed the right to tell me what I have to do, which is not in their right really but as I didn't have idea about other options I just stayed there. Important, the whole escort thing is free and so the stay at the station was, I even get a meal in the custom house. Next day one of Levies security men took me to the Taftan centre and helped out with bus ticket purchase. This bus suppose to depart at 9:00 but did so at 12:00 due to waiting for selling all the seats. Normal cost was 1000 Rupies, but special price for foreigners could be twice as much, they'll find 100 reasons why is it. I gave up negotiation after they claimed I have to consider escort is coming with me. The escort was after all not even having proper seat in the bus.
To Quetta we arrived shortly before mid-night where I was handed over to another escort and delivered to the
Bloomstar Hotel, fairly cheap and safe place to stay, where I met another foreigners.
Next day, without escort, however this could be arranged if I request it, I left the hotel and went to near by train station. Two trains are going to Lahore, the better and faster one -Jaffar Express- I missed, goes at 9:00 and Quetta Express at 10:00, some delays are usual. Ticket for Sleeper wagon cost me 1400 Rupies paid in the train, however at the station it can be a bit less and prices/standard can be slightly higher in Jaffar Express.

VERY IMPORTANT!!!! There was a "restaurant" wagon attached to the train, no foreigner with european stomach should eat anything sold there - I had rice with chicken and got badly food poisoned dyeing for rest of the journey, some 20 hours, shitting and vomiting every hour..

In Lahore it's good to use Rikshaw in stead of Taxi, but gas mask may be needed. Also they will set price about 10-20% higher for foreigner - always negotiate! But the same time, respect for the job they do, they surely deserve some decent wage, btw some some 10-20% of what you'd be charged for the same ride by European taxi drivers..

Have a fun! Don't worry, make sure everybody is aware your not from States, heheh.. xx"

18

Thanks borecrebell for sharing certainly helpful travel report on board.

Enjoy your trip.

19

borecrebell - Thanks for that detailed information about the route, much appreciated.

20

Absolutely right mjmcgowan,Pakistan much safer country for foreign tourists as compare to other countries in south Asia.

The crime against foreigners specially female travelers is almost zero in Pakistan.