Thread: Go or pass?

Just been sent an invitation for a week long fully sponsored work trip overseas.

Wonderful!! Champers all the way.






Except the trip will be to Pakistan.

Never been, never really wanted to go, but well, you only live once right?


Go or give this a pass?

I'd pass. But I've been there before.

Except the trip will be to Pakistan.

please go.

I got a work trip there once. I stayed at the Marriott which was blown up a few years later.

I had 2 bodyguards all the time. You cannot go anywhere by yourself. One of them sat behind me in the car with some kind of sawn off shotgun resting on his leg.

I was waiting for it to discharge when we hit one of the many potholes and to end up as a news story about a westerner who was killed by his own bodyguard.

It sounds like one of the more tedious countries to do business in. Why bother.

For a week?
Go for it.

Treat it as holiday.
Another item marked off your bucket list.

Originally Posted by OhOh

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Go or give this a pass?

Firstly, are you having any problems with your company,

LOL. No. More of a consultancy invitation issued by them.

Avoiding Pakistan is on my bucket list

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Just been sent an invitation for a week long fully sponsored work trip overseas.

Except the trip will be to Pakistan.

Never been, never really wanted to go, but well, you only live once right?

Go or give this a pass?

Curious, what type of work is your organization involved in ?

I hope you'll be able to get out of Islamabad for a really eye-opening tour.

Head west into Peshawar. From there you could make a side trip to Kabul.

Or head north along the Indus into the Northern Frontier for absolutely stunning views in the Karakoram range of the Himalayas.

What does the Embassy of your nation advise you to do ?
(I understand that they always err on the side of being overly cautious.)

Are you a Muslim...can you site passages from the Koran ?
That would surely help.

Originally Posted by PeeCoffee

What does the Embassy of your nation advise you to do ?
(I understand that they always err on the side of being overly cautious.)


.

Good point.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/pakistan

Some parts definitely off limits. This bit took me by surprise though:

"Around 270,000 British nationals visit Pakistan every year. Most visits are trouble-free. "

Originally Posted by nidhogg

"Around 270,000 British nationals visit Pakistan every year. Most visits are trouble-free. "

269,998 of them are Paiks with British passports though................

I'd guess nearly all are of Pakistani origin.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Originally Posted by nidhogg

"Around 270,000 British nationals visit Pakistan every year. Most visits are trouble-free. "

269,998 of them are Paiks with British passports though................

My first thought......97% of those British nationals are of Paki decent.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Originally Posted by nidhogg

"Around 270,000 British nationals visit Pakistan every year. Most visits are trouble-free. "

269,998 of them are Paiks with British passports though................

Very good point.

If someone else is paying for your expertise, you should go. Good for your rep at work and may open doors elsewhere, especially if networking helps your career.
Take every opportunity to broaden your horizons, especially if someone else is picking up the tab.
FFS man, it's only a week! Enjoy.

The trip report would be fascinating, but don't let that sway your decision.

I think it very much depends on how adventurous you're feeling. I would imagine that your company will provide adequate security, but doubt you'll see much of interest. When I used to go in occasionally for work, I had lived in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh for seven years - Pakistan was by far the biggest shitpile of them all. I had to go, and never had any inclination at all to return by choice.

Also, my trips were in more benign times. Pakistan is a dangerous place, inhabited by drooling savages.

If you go, picture thread time! Presuming your survival..........

You'll never get there now, but back in the day Peshawar was a neat place to visit. The arms market was fascinating. The whole place was out of Kipling.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

The whole place was out of Kipling

That alone would be enough to tempt me.

Originally Posted by nidhogg

More of a consultancy invitation issued by them.

Have they asked you to send any money yet?


Beware of suspicious job offers on the Internet




Just joking, try it, I would say.

This is one of those things where I'd normally say yeah go and make the most of it.

But if there were some disaster/terrorist attack/whatever in Pakistan at it involved Western fatalities and you were never sighted on the forum I'd probably feel kinda guilty about it.

I'd get over it sure, but still...

If your alternative is still having to go to work but here in Thailand, then fuck it go. A change is as good as a break.

Ask what king of security arrangements will they make for you.

Originally Posted by Cujo

Ask what king of security arrangements will they make for you.

And make sure it includes secure airport pick-up and drop-off.

Make sure that your Hepatitis vaccinations are up to snuff, son. Bottled water, dear.
(Mom told me that. I've got a great Mom.)

If you like Paki cuisine that in itself would make one board a plane. I understand they have fantastic cricket to boot. Maybe scout a few more for Britain.
K2 awaits you...(wjblaney would love that , fer sure.)