Originally Posted by marky116

I love Pakistan and its got to be one of the most hospitable countries I have ever had the pleasure to visit. I do think we have responsibility to measure the risk not only to ourselves but to those that accompany. The comment that it would have taken place anyway and that they were just doing they jobs for me does stand up. Nor does the laying responsibility on the Pakistan governments doorstep regarding the issuing of visas. If you only listened to government warnings you would live your house.

The fact that being a foreigner does increase the risk is increase the risk, if we don't travel the soldiers would be in there barracks and you are a slower target on a bicycle! As I said before the soldiers felt more uncomfortable with a cyclist than a car due to the lack of speed.

The fact they assigned 12 armed guards would also be a warning sign, from my experience this is unusually high indicating a higher level of risk. However it can also provide a higher level of false security. Speaking only for myself I will continue to try and drive this route. Your right, there is no guarantees, but we can try and minimize the risk with sensible judgment and raining in the egos (something I know I have trouble doing myself at times) This with with collecting as much info from different sources as possible.

When there was trouble 2 years ( curfews)ago in the north we balanced medi info, with friends in Islamabad, calls to the hotels in the north along with locals on the road. I admit we did force the issue of continuing with the police at one point. We only had the confidence to do this because we continually updated ourselves with local regional info from a variety of sources. There was also a queue of cars telling check point they were being silly and we would be fine. Its a delicate balance of knowing when to push and stick to your guns and back off. It turned out the objection was from one newly appointed senior chief officer that had been appointed a day earlier and didn't want the hassle. surprisingly the British embassy was very supportive and did all they could. 2 Weeks earlier we decided not to make the same journey and waited.

Ill finish by saying its an amazing country with fabulous warm hearted people. Please don't buy into the scaremongering but do take time to make sensible judgments for yourselves and others. Sorry if this is a bit preachy its not meant to be.

Originally Posted by martheijnens

As you arrive from Amritsar in Lahore, stay at Lahore Backpackers (N 31 33 706 E 074 19 168) in the centre of town. It is a good place, very friendly and helpful, and they provide a parking place for your motorbike. For more information about accomodation, look at "bike friendly acc" on this hubb. I have written a message about acc in Pak. You can also search for "martheijnens".

From Lahore you can drive to Islamabad without difficulties. However, to most other destinations you need a noc (no objection certificate) for which you have to visit local home office. The manager of LB knows were to find that office. To arrange the noc will take a day. The noc describes your itinary. As soon as you leave Lahore on the way to Multan you will encounter numerous checkpoints. The first one will arrange your escort to the next one and so on. Sometimes you are free to drive on your own.

Good luck, enjoy your trip in Pakistan;
Mart

Originally Posted by martheijnens

Fearless, with respect to our questions:
1. Your truck seems to be a bit too big for the bike parking place but maybe it can be parked in the alley. Call LB: +924237351544 or +92 30088660039 (the cellphone of Sajjad Ahmed). Greet Sajjad from me, Mathew,the dutch motorbiker.
2. You will probably get permission to drive from Lahore over Multan and Sukkur to Quetta. That road is okay except between Sukkur and Jacobabad (about 60 km).
3. Between Quetta and Taftan at the Iranian border the road is okay, mostly in moderate condition and some short bad tracks. Read my description on the hubb (martheijnens, "fromTaftan to Quetta: my experiences").
4. Between Quetta and Lahore I stayed in Jacobabad and Rahimyar Khan. I posted locations on the Hubb, look in the section bike friendly accomodation, "Pakistan". The hotel in Jacobabad was really a gem in friendliness and service. In Quetta your escort will bring you to the Bloomstar hotel (There is another hotel, Serena, but that's for the rich. So, unless you are rich: Bloomstar). Between Quetta and Taftan your escort will bring you to the hotel in Dalbandin.

Good luck, Mathew