Marrying and Sponsoring a Pakistani Citizen
Listen to this articleMarriage to a Pakistani Citizen
Every country has its own laws that apply to its citizens marrying a person from a different country. Getting married to a Pakistani citizen with the goal of eventually bringing them to Canada to live is a process with many steps.
If you want to bring your Pakistani spouse or partner to live in Canada, you must then file a sponsorship application for them to become a permanent resident. If they would like to visit you in Canada while their application is in process, they must also apply for a visitor visa. For more information, please see our family sponsorship page and our visitor visa page.
Pakistani Marriage Basic Requirements
The legal Marriage age in Pakistan for a woman is 16 years old and for a man is 18 years old. If you want to marry before this age you require a Guardian Permission. For Registration of Marriage you require a Pakistani ID, Form B or Educational Certificate for verification of Date of Birth.
In case the spouses don’t have such documents then their photo graph would be fixed on the marriage papers and some other person could verify their particulars.
The woman will further swear through affidavit that she has no subsisting marriage.
In case one of the parties had any marriages in the past, then divorce decree or death certificate of spouse would be required where applicable.
For marriage to be performed at least two witnesses must be present required.
A marriage certificate is known as “nikanama” in Pakistan. It is allowed for a foreign woman to marry a Pakistani man in Pakistan. Although not required to change her religion if she is either a Christian or a Jew, it is recommended that she does if the man is a Muslim. It is recommended that a lawyer be present on wedding so that he can guarantee that all clauses of Muslim Family Laws Ordinance are satisfied. The marriage certificate also needs to be stamped by the Pakistan Foreign Office.
There are two types of marriages in Pakistan:
Court Marriage
This is held in the district court in presence of a judge. A nikanama is signed.
Religious Marriage
This is when a local maulvi / imam (priest) conducts the marriage in an Islamic manner, usually in the house or a hotel.
Family Members
If your Pakistani spouse has dependent children, this does not affect the Pakistani Marriage document application.
If you have dependent children, they have no effect on the application to marry a Pakistani citizen.
List of Pakistani Consulates in Canada
Calling Pakistan from Canada
To make a direct call to Pakistan from Canada, you need to follow the international dialling format given below. The dialling format is the same when calling Pakistan mobile or land line from Canada.
To call Pakistan from Canada Dial
011 – 92 – Area Code – local number
- 011 – Exit code for Canada, and is needed for making any international call from Canada
- 92 – ISD Code or Country Code of Pakistan
- Area codes in Pakistan range from 2-5 digits (excluding the 0 needed for calling within the country), the longer the area code, the smaller the location
Area Codes of major centres in Pakistan (landlines only)
| Bahawalpur | 62 | Gujrat | 53 | Kasur | 492 | Peshawar | 91 |
| Dera Ghazi Khan | 64 | Hyderabad | 22 | Lahore | 42 | Quetta | 81 |
| Dera Ismail Khan | 966 | Islamabad / Rawalpindi | 51 | Mandi Bahauddin | 546 | Rahim Yar Khan | 68 |
| Faisalabad | 41 | Jhelum | 544 | Multan | 61 | Sargodha | 483 |
| Gujranwala | 55 | Karachi | 21 | Parachinar FATA | 926 | Sialkot | 52 |
Cell Phone Codes (by provider)
Format: 3xy, where 3 is the cell code, x is the provider code, and y is another digit to distinguish the area.
| Instaphone | 364 | Telenor | 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347 | Ufone | 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336 | SCO | 355 |
| Mobilink | 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309 | Warid Telecom | 321, 322, 323, 324 | ZONG | 312, 313, 314, 315 |
Calling Canada from Pakistan
To make a direct call to Canada from Pakistan, you need to follow the international dialling format given below. The dialling format is the same when calling Canada mobile or land line from Pakistan.
00 – 1 – Area Code – local number
- 00 – Exit code for Pakistan, and is needed for making any international call from Pakistan
- 1 – ISD Code or Country Code of Canada
List of area codes in Canada
| Province | Code | Province | Code |
| Alberta | 403 / 587 (southern Alberta)
587 / 780 (central and northern Alberta) |
Nunavut | 867 |
| BC | 236 / 250 / 778 (majority of BC)
236 / 604 / 778 (Metro Vancouver) |
Ontario | 226 / 519 (southwestern Ontario)
249 / 705 (northeastern Ontario) 289 / 365 / 905 (Greater Toronto Area) 343 / 613 (eastern Ontario) 416 / 647 (Toronto) 807 (northwestern Ontario) |
| Manitoba | 204 / 431 | PEI | 782 / 902 |
| New Brunswick | 506 | Quebec | 418 / 581 (eastern Quebec)
438 / 514 (Montreal) 450 / 579 (Greater Montreal) 819 / 873 (remainder of Quebec) |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 709 | Saskatchewan | 306 / 639 |
| Northwest Territories | 867 | Yukon | 867 |
| Nova Scotia | 782 / 902 |
Time Difference
Pakistan Standard Time is GMT+5. Pakistan has tried out Daylight Saving Time multiple times over the last decade and a half. They may do so again in the future but at the moment, they do not observe DST.
| Canadian Time Zone | # of Hours Pakistan is Ahead | # of Hours during DST |
| Pacific (BC, Yukon) | 13 hours | 12 hours |
| Mountain (Alberta, western Nunvaut, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan) | 12 hours | 11 hours |
| Saskatchewan | 11 hours | 11 hours |
| Central (Manitoba, Northwest Territories, central Nunavut, northwestern Ontario) | 11 hours | 10 hours |
| Eastern (most of Ontario, most of Quebec) | 10 hours | 9 hours |
| Atlantic (Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, eastern Quebec) | 9 hours | 8 hours |
| Newfoundland | 8.5 hours | 7.5 hours |
Emergency Information for Canadians in Pakistan
High Commission of Canada in IslamabadDiplomatic Enclave, Sector G-5 Postal Address: Telephone: 92 (51) 208-6000 |
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Consulate of Canada in Karachic/o Beach Luxury Hotel, 3rd floor Moulvi Tamiz Khan Road Karachi 74000 Telephone: 92 (21) 561-0685 |
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Consulate of Canada in Lahore102-A, First Floor, Siddiq Trade Centre Telephone: 92 (42) 578-1763 |
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Canadian Government’s Travel Alerts for Pakistan
Pakistani Money
The Currency of Pakistan is known as rupee. It is issued by the state bank of Pakistan. In Pakistan the rupee is called the rupaiya, or rupayee or rupees. The most commonly used symbol is Rs. I00,000 is counted in Pakistan as 1 lakh rupees and 10 million is equivalent to 1 crore rupees.
Coins
The Pakistani rupee came into circulation after it attained independence in 1947. Indian coins with the word “Pakistan” stamped on it were used for the first few months after independence.
In 1948, coins were introduced in denominations of 1 pice, ½, 1 and 2 annas, ¼, ½ and 1 rupee. 1 pie coins were added in 1951. In 1961, coins for 1, 5 and 10 pice were issued, followed later the same year by 1 paisa, 5 and 10 paise coins. In 1963, 10 and 25 paise coins were introduced, followed by 2 paise the next year. 1 rupee coins were reintroduced in 1979, followed by 2 rupees in 1998 and 5 rupees in 2002. 2 paise coins were last minted in 1976, with 1 paisa coins ceasing production in 1979. The 5, 10, 25 and 50 paise all ceased production in 1994. There are two variations of 2 rupee coins; most have clouds above the Badshahi Masjid but many don’t have. The one and two rupee coins were changed to aluminum in 2007
Rs.1
The Rs.1 depicts Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the front who was a lawyer, politician and statesman, and the founder of Pakistan. On the back it depicts Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Mausoleum, Sehwan Shareef
Rs.2
The Rs.2 depicts Crescent and Star on the front while on the back it depicts Badshahi Masjid Mosques, Lahore
Rs.5
The Rs.5 depicts Crescent and Star on the front while on the back it depicts Number “5”
Banknotes
The first official Pakistani notes were issued in the year 1948. In 1961 the rupee was decimalized with rupees sub divided into 100 paisa. Since 1994 Coins of paisa are no longer issued.
Since 1953 the state bank of Pakistan began issuing 2, 5, 10 and 100 rupee notes. 50 rupee notes were issued from 1957. In 1986 and 1987 500 and 1000 rupee notes were issued respectively. 20 rupee notes were issued in 2005. The denomination took a major leap when 5000 rupee notes were introduced in 2006.
All bank notes issued in Pakistan have inscriptions in Urdu with a picture of the father of the nation alongside. The other side carries an English text
Each rupee of a particular denomination has a predominant color with a particular size. For security purposes all bank notes bear a water mark. The water picture of Jinnah is found in notes of larger denominations and a crescent and star mark is found on smaller notes. The notes also have a security thread running along its breath.
Rs. 5
The Rs. 5 depicts Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the front who was a lawyer, politician and statesman, and the founder of Pakistan. While on back it depicts Gwadar port, which is a mega project in Balochistan, Pakistan.
Rs. 10
The Rs. 10 depicts Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the front who was a lawyer, politician and statesman, and the founder of Pakistan. While on the back it depicts Bab ul Khyber which is the entrance to the Khyber Pass, Khyber Agency, FATA.
Rs. 20
The Rs. 20 depicts Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the front who was a lawyer, politician and statesman, and the founder of Pakistan. On the back it depicts Mohenjo-daro which is an archeological site situated in the province of Sindh, Pakistan.
Rs. 50
The Rs. 50 depicts Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the front who was a lawyer, politician and statesman, and the founder of Pakistan. On the back it depicts K2 which is the second highest mountain of the world situated in northern areas of Pakistan.
Rs. 100
The Rs. 100 depicts Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the front who was a lawyer, politician and statesman, and the founder of Pakistan. While on the back it depicts Quaid-e-Azam Residency in Ziarat. The Residency where Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah spent the last days of his life. It is the most famous landmark of City.
Rs. 500
The Rs. 500 depicts Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the front who was a lawyer, politician and statesman, and the founder of Pakistan. It depicts on the back the Badshahi Masjid Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan.
Rs. 1000
The Rs. 1000 depicts Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the front who was a lawyer, politician and statesman, and the founder of Pakistan. It depicts on the back the Islamia College in Peshawar in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.
Rs. 5000
The Rs. 5000 depicts Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the front who was a lawyer, politician and statesman, and the founder of Pakistan. On the back it depicts Faisal Masjid which is the largest mosque in Pakistan, located in the national capital city of Islamabad.
Wedding Traditions in Pakistan
Pakistan is an Islamic country that is located in South Asia, and most of the Pakistani weddings follow Islamic traditions. The main aim of the wedding function is to bring the bride, groom, and their families closer, and there are many pre-wedding customs that have to be observed before the actual wedding. Pakistani wedding traditions are based on rules that are defined in the Holy Quran, and it is assumed that they were developed some 1,400 years ago. Traditional Pakistani Marriage celebrations last for four days. Nonetheless, many rituals that are performed in Pakistani weddings are not mentioned in Islamic books, and it is believed that these rituals come from Hindu culture.
Polygamy
Polygamy, the act of one man having more than one wife, is permitted under Pakistani civil law under the Marriage Act of 1965, (the Pakistani Family Act) up to a total of four wives, with the stipulation that the first wife gives attested written permission. However, it is now less common, especially in urban areas. If a married man remains childless with his first wife, family members might recommend to marry a second wife.
Arranged marriages
For years, arranged marriages have been an integral part of Pakistani society and are still prevalent. Marriages are often arranged within the family or within the same community or ethnicity. Social and educational statuses are very important in arranged matrimonial alliances. However nowadays, love marriages are slowly becoming more common and acceptable in Pakistan. Arranged matches are made after taking into account factors such as the wealth and social standing of their families. A marriage can also be made within the extended family such as between cousins.
There are two types of arranged marriages in Pakistan, semi-arranged marriages and completely arranged marriages. Under semi-arranged marriages, the couple makes the final decision. In a completely arranged marriage, with no compromises made by the potential bride and groom, the parents’ decision is final. Dating is frowned upon in Pakistani society and it’s still not acceptable. However, a new generation of Pakistani adolescents has taken on Western practices of courtship.
Marriage process
Arranged marriages in Pakistan often take long periods of time to finalize. The time from preparation until wedding day may be more than a year. When the wedding date approaches, all close relatives are invited for a typical Pakistani wedding that requires a considerable budget in order to accommodate them. In some cases, wedding dates are even postponed until the important relatives are able to arrive to the location of the reception from abroad. The wedding customs and celebrations also differ significantly depending on the geographical location as well as the families involved. However, a typical Pakistani wedding has at least three main customs involving the Henna ceremony (Rasme Henna), the vows or the Nikah which is a part of the actual wedding or Shaadi ceremony, and a subsequent Walima offered by the groom’s family.
Proposal party
A proposal party is a reception made in the bride’s house, where the groom’s parents and family elders formally ask the bride’s parents for her hand in marriage. In religious families, once the wedding proposal is accepted, the families read Surah Al-Fatihah, and then tea and refreshments are served. Depending on individual family tradition, the bride-to-be may also be presented with an item of jewellery and lots of gifts.
Engagement
An engagement, (Mangni) is a formal ceremony to mark the engagement of the couple. It is usually a small ceremony that takes place in the presence of a few close members of would-be bride’s and groom’s families. Rings and other items of jewellery among affluent families are exchanged between the would-be bride and groom. Traditionally, the bride and the groom were not seated together, and the rings are placed on the bride’s finger by the groom’s mother or sister, and vice versa. In recent years, however, segregated functions have become a rarity and rings are usually exchanged between the couple. Prayer and blessings for the couple are then recited, and the wedding date is decided.
Dholki
The Dholki or Dholak celebration takes its name from the percussion instrument Dholki, which is featured heavily during this wedding celebration. Traditionally, many days or even weeks before the actual wedding day, women will gather in the house of the bride at night to sing and dance while accompanied by percussion instruments. Today, this ceremony has also been reduced to a single night of singing and is often combined with Mehndi or Henna ceremony.
Maayun
A maayun is custom of the bride entering into the state of seclusion before the wedding. In earlier centuries this would last eight to fifteen days, which, being no longer practicable, last now for a night. The bride and the bridegroom are made free of all the chores and errands around the house. The bride and groom are not allowed to see each other after the initiation of the period and the bride is not allowed to leave her house, particularly after sunset. The beautification rituals begin during this time.
Ubtan turmeric paste, sandalwood powder, herbs, and aromatic oils are traditionally brought by the women of the groom’s household for the bride. She blesses bride and applies “ubtan’ to the bride’s hands and face. Groom’s sister also does the same, and a thick string called a “gana” is tied to the bride’s arm. “Ubtan” is applied to the bride’s skin each day leading up to the wedding. Similar ceremony is held for the groom, where bride’s mother, sisters, cousins and friends bring “ubtan” for groom and rub it on his skin.
The ceremony is often brought to a close by the members of the household playing ubtan whereby it is brought in huge trays and throws at each.
Mehndi
Rasm E Mehndi (Henna Party) takes place a day before the wedding. It’s a ceremony mainly of women. They apply Mehndi (Henna) to the bride’s hands and feet, sing, dance, and bless the bride. Sadka (warding off evil) is performed on the bride i.e. donating money circling three times on the bride’s head. Traditionally mehndi was brought by groom’s parents. Mehndi (Henna) is applied in beautiful floral designs and sometimes groom’s name is written in designs. After the ceremony dinner is organized for the guests. Traditionally, the bride is not allowed to take part in the celebrations and keeps her face hidden in veil. Rasm E Mehndi is organized for grooms also in some parts of Pakistan.
Nikah
Nikah is purely Islamic official wedding ceremony that usually takes place at the bride’s home. Nikah is attended by close family members, relatives, and friends of groom and bride. Usually, the men and women are made to sit separately, in different rooms, or have a purdah, or curtain, separating them.
Baraat
Baraat is procession of family, relatives, and friends of groom that accompany the groom to bride’s home for official wedding ceremony. Groom makes his way to the bride’s home on a richly decked horse or in a car and “baraat” follows in different vehicles. Groom is given warm welcome by the bride’s family with flower garlands and rose petals. Family and relatives of the groom and the bride exchange glasses of juice or sherbet along with money. Guests are welcomed by the bride’s sisters by playfully hitting them with a stick wrapped and decorated with flowers.
Showing of the face
Moo Dikhai aka Arsi Mashaf is the ceremony of the “showing of the face” after the Nikah. A green, embroidered shawl is generally held over the couple’s head and they are made to see each other in the mirror and the bride unveils her face that she keeps hidden during the Nikah. This custom is also called as Moo Dikhai at times, though Mun Dikahi generally refers to the unveiling of the bride’s face after she enters her husband’s house. The bride and groom share a piece of sweet fruit, and family and friends congratulate the couple and offer gifts. Dinner is then served to the guests. The sisters, friends, and female cousins of the bride take this opportunity to steal the groom’s shoes and demand a sum of money for their return. This is a very popular custom and the groom usually carries a lot of cash, due to the popularity of this custom. He pays the money to get back his shoes and the girls divide the money among themselves.
Rukhsati
The Rukhsati (sending off) takes place, when the groom and his family will leave together with the bride. The Qur’an is normally held over the brides head as she walks from the stage to the exit in order to bless her. This is a sombre occasion for the bride’s parents as it marks the departure of their daughter from their home. The departure of the bride becomes a very emotional scene as she says farewell to the home of her parents and siblings to start a new married life.
Traditionally, the groom travels by a decorated horse to the bride’s house and after the wedding ceremony takes his wife in a doli (palanquin) to his parents’ house to live. The horse and the carts have now been replaced by cars, and in sharp contrast to western weddings, it is typical to see a quiet bride with wet eyes as she sits in the car beside her husband leaving for her new home.
Suhaag Raat
Suhaag raat refers to the couples’ first night together and it occurs after the bride has left for the groom’s house.
On the day of the wedding, the couples’ bedroom is decorated with flowers. It is customary for roses to be laid across the couples’ bed. The groom’s female relatives lead the bride to the bedroom and she is left for some time to await the groom’s arrival. At this point it is common for the groom to stay with his relatives for a while. The groom may be offered a glass of milk during this time. After the relatives have left, the groom enters the bedroom where the bride is waiting. The bride adjusts the edges of her dupatta so that they cover her face. This is known as ‘ghoonghat’. It is customary for the husband to brush the bride’s ghoonghat aside to reveal her face, as one of the first things he does on suhaag raat. ‘Moonh Dikhai’, literally meaning ‘revealing of the face’ is a present that is presented to the bride by her husband on this night. This is generally a piece of jewellery such as a ring or a family ornament.
Walima
Walima is the final day of the wedding held by couple as they host their first dinner as husband and wife. Without the bridegroom’s parents this ritual cannot be performed. So to make walima valid, the parents’ blessing and presence is the most important factor. The groom’s family specially father and mother play the important role to invites all of the bride’s family and their guests to their home for a feast at their home or a marriage hall. The walima is typically the most festive event of the wedding ceremony and intends to publicize the marriage.
The bride wears a heavily decorated dress with gold jewellery provided by the groom’s family. Typical colour palettes are green or pastel shades. The groom normally opts for a formal Western suit or tuxedo.
Wedding gift
It is customary for the Pakistani bride and grooms to receive wedding presents in the form of cash. Traditionally, an envelope with cash is given to the bride or groom when wedding guests come to visit them on stage during the wedding reception. It is also customary for the friends and family of the couple to invite them over for dinner and lunch after the wedding to formally accept them as a couple.
Honeymoon
It is very common for the couples to go for a honeymoon following the shaadi (wedding) and walima ceremonies. The most popular destinations are Murree and Nathia Gali, although more well-off couples may go overseas for their honeymoon. The honeymoon is generally 2–7 days long and gives a chance for the couple to spend some time in privacy, especially in joint families where the bride lives with the husband’s family.
Wedding Dresses
Wedding Food
Biryani
Badami Korma
Masala Fish Fry
Aloo Bukharay ki Chutney
Shahi Tukray
Religion in Pakistan
The state religion in Pakistan is Islam, which is practised by about 95-98% of the 187,343,000 people of the nation. The remaining 2-5% practice Christianity, Hinduism and other religions. Muslims are divided into two major sects: the majority of them practice Sunni Islam, while the Shias are a minority who make up an estimated 5-20%. Nearly all Pakistani Sunni Muslims belong to the Hanafi Islamic law school. The majority of Pakistani Shia Muslims belong to the Ithnā‘Ashariyyah Islamic law school, with significant minority groups who practice Ismailism, which is composed of Nizari (Aga Khanis), Mustaali, Dawoodi Bohra, Sulaymani, and others.
Demographics of religion in Pakistan
The following is a list of estimations about the percentage of people professing different faiths in the country. These estimations vary considerably from source to source, depending on methods of research and databases that were used.
Islam
- Sunni: 80-95%
- Shia: 5-20%
Other religions
- Christians: approx. 1.6% (2,800,000)
- Hindus: approx. 1.6% (2,800,000)
- Bahá’ís: 40,000 to 79,000
- Sikhs: 20,000
- Zoroastrian/Parsis: 1,600 to 20,000
- Kalash: 3,000
- Ahmadi: approx. 1.42% (2,000,000) to 2.3% (4 million)
Islam
Islam is the state religion of Pakistan, and about 95-98% of Pakistanis are Muslims. The Muslims are divided into 2 sects, Sunni Islam and Shia Islam. The Shia Islam in Pakistan is practised by 5-20% of the Muslims and the remaining larger number of Muslims practice Sunni Islam. There are a number of Islamic law schools called Madhab (schools of jurisprudence), which are called fiqh or ‘Maktab-e-Fikr’ in Urdu. Nearly all Pakistani Sunni Muslims belong to the Hanafi Islamic school of thought while small number belongs to the Hanbali school. The majority of Pakistani Shia Muslims belong to the Twelver (Ithna Asharia) branch, with significant minority who adhere to Ismailism branch that is composed of Nizari (Aga Khanis), Mustaali, Dawoodi Bohra, Sulaymani, and others.
The Faisal Mosque – Islamabad
Tooba Mosque – Karachi
The Badshahi Mosque or the ‘Emperor’s Mosque’ – Lahore
The second largest mosque in Pakistan
Christianity
Christians make up 1.6% of Pakistan’s population, about 2.8 million people out of a total population. They are the second-largest religious minority community in Pakistan. The majority of the Pakistani Christian communities are constituted by converts from the low caste Hindus from Punjab region, from the British colonial era. The community is geographically spread throughout the Punjab province, whilst its presence in the rest of the provinces is mostly confined to the urban centres. There is a Roman Catholic community in Karachi which was established by Goan and Tamil migrants when Karachi’s infrastructure was being developed by the British during colonial administration between World War I and World War II.
Meanwhile there are few Protestant groups conducting missions in Pakistan. The Day by Day Christian Ministries which is based in the Philippines is operating a school in Karachi, though most of its members there converted outside the country due to restrictions at home.
St. Patricks Cathedral – Karachi
The Trinity Church – Karachi
Cathedral Church of Resurrection – Lahore
Sacred Heart Church – Lahore
Hinduism
There are also followers of Hinduism in Pakistan. The Rig Veda, an ancient Hindu text was believed to have been composed in the Punjab region several thousand years ago and spread from there to much of South Asia slowly developing and evolving into the various forms of the faith we see today. Hindus today number around 3 million or about 1.6%. Hinduism in Pakistan is unique in that there is no rigid form of caste distinction amongst its adherents and as such, is more unrestricted in nature. According to the last census 93% of Hindus live in eastern Sindh, 5% in Punjab and nearly 2% in Balochistan
Sikhism
In the 17th century the reformist Sikh movement originated in Pakistan’s Panjab region where Sikhism’s founder as well as most of the faiths disciples originated from. There are a number of Sikhs living throughout Pakistan today; estimates vary, but the number is thought to be on the order of 20,000. In recent years, there numbers have increased with many Sikhs migrating from neighbouring Afghanistan who have joined their co-religionists in Pakistan. The shrine of Guru Nanak Dev is located in Nankana Sahib near the city of Lahore where many Sikhs from all over the world make pilgrimage to this and other shrines.
Zoroastrianism
Zorastrianism is believed to have been a major religion in the region of Pakistan from the time it was part of the Persian Achemenid Empire. Numerous Zorastrian fire temples still exist in Balochistan, Sindh and parts of Panjab. More recently, from the 15th century onwards, Zorastrians came to settle the coast of Sindh and have established thriving communities and commercial entreprises. These newer migrants where to be called Parsi. At the time of independence of Pakistan in 1947, Karachi and Lahore were home to a thriving Parsi business community. Karachi had the most prominent population of Parsis in Pakistan. After independence, many migrated abroad but a large number remained. Parsis have entered Pakistani public life as social workers, business folk, journalists and diplomats. The most prominent Parsis of Pakistan today include Ardeshir Cowasjee, Byram Dinshawji Avari, Jamsheed Marker, as well as the late Minocher Bhandara. The founding father of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, married Ratti Bai who belonged to a Parsi family, after her conversion to Islam.
Kalash
This is pagan religion of the Kalash people living in a remote part of Chitral. Adherents of the Kalash religion number around 3,000 and inhabit three remote valleys in Chitral; Bumboret, Rumbur and Birir. Their religion is unique but shares some common ground with Greek, Macedonian Pagan, Vedic and Pre-Zoroastrian religions.
Jainism
Jainism existed in Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi. There is no evidence of any Jains living in Pakistan today, although it is claimed that a few still live in Sindh and Punjab provinces. They are number of disused Jain Temples found in different parts of Pakistan. Gulu Lalvani, a famous Jain, was originally from Pakistan but he, like other Jains, emigrated from Pakistan. Baba Dharam Das Tomb is also found in Pakistan. Digambar Temple is one of the famous Jain temples in Pakistan.
Buddhism
Buddhism has an ancient history in Pakistan, although there is no evidence that any Buddhists live in Pakistan today. The country is dotted with numerous ancient and disused Buddhist stupas along the entire breath of the Indus River that course through the heart of the country. Many Buddhists empires and city states existed, notably in Gandhara but also elsewhere in Taxila, Punjab and Sindh. It is believed that Tantric Buddhism was developed in Pakistan’s Swat valley. Pakistan and much of Afghanistan were one of the first regions to adopt Buddhism and which saw a large number of adherents to the faith. It is believed that through the Silk Road of northern Pakistan, that Buddhism spread later to Central Asia, China and beyond.
Judaism
There is no evidence that there are any Jews in Pakistan today, nor has any claim been made by any practitioner of the faith in recent decades. Various estimates suggest that there were about 1,500 Jews living in Pakistan at the time of its independence on 14 August 1947, with the majority living in Karachi and a few living in Peshawar. However, almost all emigrated to Israel after 1948. There are a few disused synagogues in both cities; while one Karachi synagogue was torn down for the construction of a shopping mall. The one in Peshawar still exists, although the building is not being used for any religious purpose. There is a small Jewish community of Pakistani origin settled in Ramla, Israel.
Atheism and agnosticism
There are people who do not profess any faith such as atheists and agnostics in Pakistan but their numbers is not known. They are particularly in the affluent areas of the larger cities. Some were born in secular families while others in religious ones. According to the 1998 census, people who did not state their religion accounted for 0.5% of the population, but social pressures against claiming no religion was strong. A 2012 study by Gallup Pakistan found that people not adhering to any religion account for 1% of the population.
Romantic Places in Pakistan
Hotels
Islamabad Serena Hotel
The Hotel is located on 6 Acres near the Lush Green Margalla Hills and Rawal Lake, Next To the Diplomatic Enclave, The Islamabad Serena Is Surrounded by Tranquil Jasmine Gardens. The Hotel Combines The Historical Architecture Of The Region With Traditional Hospitality and The Most Modern Comforts And Technology. The Hotel Room Decoration Is inspired by Two Rich Historical Regions of Pakistan and Feature all the Modern Conveniences Demanded by Seasoned Travelers in their Room, such as Wireless High-speed Internet Access and Voicemail. Personalized Service and attention to detail Sets the Islamabad Serena In a class by itself. Calm, quiet and private, the Hotel is perfect for Business and Pleasure travellers.
Avari Towers – Karachi
With 17 stories and 120 guest rooms and suites, the Avari Towers is one of the tallest buildings in Karachi. The hotel offers five room classes, each with distinct luxury amenities and décor; each room sports refined, smart styling, with white marble bathrooms and clean lines. Multiple restaurants at the Avari Towers serve a diverse array of Chinese, Japanese and Pakistani cuisines. Basketball hoops, tennis courts, a fitness center and large swimming pool are located in the hotels’ on-site Olympia Spa and Gym.
Pearl Continental Hotel – Karachi
Located in the heart of the business hub and 15 km from the airport, Pearl Continental Hotel Karachi is a preferred choice for discerning corporate and leisure travellers. Vibrant and progressive, it retains the warmth and the spirit of Pakistan, while offering a variety of rooms, stylish restaurants and contemporary business facilities, establishing itself as an undisputed, premier business and leisure hotel.
Sheraton Karachi Hotel and Towers
Sheraton Hotel offers guest rooms with a striking colour scheme, stocked mini bar, round-the-clock room service and a private balcony, while guests of the deluxe club rooms enjoy private chauffeurs, free laundry and wireless Internet, and lots of floor space. An in-hotel shopping centre is available for guests; also on-site are a jogging track, fitness facility, lighted tennis courts, Jacuzzi room, business centre, florist and gift shop.
Holiday Inn Lahore
Holiday Inn Lahore a perfect place to stay for both business and pleasure. The historical city of Lahore represents a magnificent cultural heritage. Its beautiful gardens, attractive fountains & historical places take the visitors down the memory lane, where the magic of mughal architecture captures your mind & heart, only 20 minutes away from Allama Iqbal International airport.
Pearl Continental Lahore
Pearl Continental Lahore is considered to be one of the most innovative hotels in Pakistan, where art and originality elegantly combine to offer visitors some rare spectacles. Located in a busy district, the sparkling façade and chic environment will fill visitors with wonder.
Sunfort Hotel – Lahore
The Sunfort Hotel is relatively close to Alama Iqbal International Airport which is approximately 20 minutes. The Sunfort Hotel is located at Liberty Market, a shoppers paradise and very close to M. M Alam Road a food lovers heaven.
Pearl Continental Hotel – Rawalpindi
The Pearl Continental Hotel in Rawalpindi conveniently sits 10 minutes from the Islamabad International Airport. Each of the hotel’s guest rooms come with a fruit basket, electronic safety deposit box and a stocked mini-bar, while further amenities include a laptop computer to a pantry and large refrigerator. The hotel’s on-site shopping centre offers souvenirs, books and antiques, while the health club is home to weight stations, a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. Other facilities in the hotel include a business centre, concierge desk, beauty salon, florist and bank.
Beaches
Gadani Beach – Hub
Gadani Beach is a beach on the Arabian Sea located near the Hub River and Cape Monze in Gadani, Lasbela District, Balochistan, Pakistan.
Gadani Beach is the location of Gadani ship-breaking yard, which is one of the world’s largest ship-breaking yards.
Clifton Beach – Karachi
Clifton Beach or Seaview is a beach in Karachi, Pakistan located on the Arabian Sea. It is one of the neighbourhoods of Clifton, Saddar Town. It was the world’s most popular silver-sand beach and health resort during 20th century but in 2003 it was affected by an oil spill. The beach has attractions for families and tourists, including beach-side horse and camel rides, amusement parks, restaurants, and swimming in the Arabian Sea.
French Beach – Karachi
French Beach of Karachi is located half way between Hawkes Bay and Paradise Point, is a small fishing village frequented by Karachi’s elite and known to the locals as Haji Ismill Goth. Surrounded by a boundary wall, it offers 95 huts, constructed by the villagers, for rent. The village doesn’t have running water, but has electric power. Its rocky beach and clear waters are ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving as well as surfing during the monsoon season. Visitors have to bring their own equipment as well as food and drink supplies.
Sandspit Beach – Karachi
Sandspit Beach is situated south west of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. It is a very famous tourist spot. The sea at Sandspit is very calm and quiet from October to March and very rough during the monsoon. Remarkable variety of marine life-algae and crabs are found here. The shallow water here is ideal for swimming and sunbathing. It has an unusual rocky formation. Sandspit beach is quite a popular hangout and relaxation spot in Karachi. Facilities at the Sandspit Beach includes horseback and camel riding
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