Quetta

Replies: 9 - Last Post: Mar 30, 2013 3:41 AM Last Post By: k2_heights

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Mar 15, 2013 8:01 AM
Posts: 19

Quetta

Hello!

I wonder about the situation in Quetta at the moment. I realize that security is not that good with both terror attacks and kiddnappings targeting westerners happening a bit now and then. But for thoose of you who stayed there, what was yout experience?

I passed by Quetta three years ago staying for three nights. We got escorted by police to and from Quetta but as we were in the city we could move freely. So we walked around the city and we met a local friend who took us around by car. Would this freedom still be possible or will travellers nowdays be more monitored and forced to have an escort durring their stay in Quetta?

And also, travelling from Lahore to Quetta, will there be questions. Do I need to have a reason. Most people doing this trip go there to cross in to Iran I will go there and then come back to Lahore or islamabad.

regards, J

Edited by: jonpa

hindukushman

Mar 15, 2013 10:00 AM
Posts: 27

Hi,

3 years back things were not as bad as we see them today especially the recent kidnapping of foreign tourists opened a new chapter of terrorism in the region.

While keeping in mind the present scenario, taking a trip across the region'd be very perilous .

Lahore, Islamabad, Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan are safer regions.

Safe travels .

emmeff

Mar 15, 2013 1:25 PM
Posts: 954

You will be forced to stay in your hotel, and the police will encourage you to leave the region ASAP.

See threads just below yours regarding the kidnapping of two tourists in recent days.

talk2u

Mar 16, 2013 12:40 AM
Posts: 252

Agree with emmeff

Stevo52

Mar 18, 2013 4:47 AM
Posts: 115

The kidnappings last week may have changed things but I was there 12 days ago and was allowed to walk around freely but had to be back at hotel by 6pm. I was advised to only go to the area between the hotel and the bazar and that if I turned left out of the hotel I'd be in dangerous territory within 2 minutes!
There are armed police/military every 50 metres in the centre so unless there's a bomb (and there are serious searches entering the city) ironically the centre is very safe.
On the train from Quetta to Multan I was told that the BLA came from the mountains and opened fire indescriminately on the train near Sibi two months earlier, killing 6 and injuring dozens.
Coming from Iran they have no choice but to allow you cross to Quetta because there's nowhere else to go but I'd be surprised if they let you travel west to Quetta when they can send you back. And to be honest, given the current situation, unless you're trying to get to Iran, it seems a questionable idea

merantau

Mar 19, 2013 2:14 PM
Posts: 647

The Hazara community in Quetta have been under sustained attack for a number of years from religious zealots and recent bombings have killed hundreds. Further west, on the road to Iran, travellers are being kidnapped by Baluchi rebels - not an area to enter without good reason.

k2_heights

Mar 20, 2013 12:24 AM
Posts: 573

One should avoid visiting Quetta specially on the way to Pak-Iran border(Taftan) unless there is solid reason.

hindukushman

Mar 20, 2013 12:56 PM
Posts: 27

Hi,

The recent kidnappings and unrest especially before the general elections in Pakistan may pose serious threats to the travelers in that region, so better to reschedule the travel plans.

Safe travels .

merantau

Mar 29, 2013 7:37 PM
Posts: 647

For background on the sectarian violence in Quetta go to: http://www.theage.com.au/world/hazaras-flee-systematic-genocide-in-pakistan-20130329-2gyyv.html

k2_heights

Mar 30, 2013 3:41 AM
Posts: 573