Pakistan

PAK

Pakistan is the world's fifth most populous country, a nation of striking geographic contrasts that range from the Arabian Sea coastline to some of the world's highest mountain ranges including K2 and the Karakoram. Karachi is South Asia's largest city and a major commercial hub, while Lahore is celebrated for its Mughal-era architecture, food culture, and literary heritage. Pakistan permits dual citizenship with select countries including the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia, allowing the large overseas diaspora to maintain formal ties to their homeland.

→ If you hold a Pakistan passport, see the Pakistan nationality guide

Passport Rank

#95

Visa-Free

destinations

Country Details

Capital: Islamabad
Currency: Pakistani Rupee (PKR)
Languages: Urdu, English, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto
Population: 230,000,000
Tax System: Residence Based
Dual Citizenship: Allowed
Naturalisation: 7 years
Schengen / EU: No
Climate: Arid / Semi-arid / Subtropical
English Proficiency Rank: #64

Indices

Cost of Living

Safety

Healthcare

Quality of Life

108

Tax Summary

Tax System: Residence Based
Territorial Taxation: No — worldwide income taxed for residents
Naturalisation: 7 years of legal residency
Dual Citizenship: Allowed

Cost of Living by City

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Monthly cost of living per major city in USD: rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass
City	Rent 1BR centre	Rent outside	Groceries	Utilities	Transit pass
Islamabad	$380	$230	$180	$55	$15
Lahore	$280	$170	$165	$50	$12

Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.

Climate

Islamabad

10°J

12°F

17°M

23°A

28°M

32°J

31°J

30°A

27°S

21°O

15°N

11°D

Rainfall range: 10–290 mm/month · Daylight 10h (winter) to 14h (summer)

Lahore

13°J

16°F

22°M

28°A

33°M

36°J

34°J

33°A

31°S

26°O

19°N

13°D

Rainfall range: 5–165 mm/month · Daylight 10h (winter) to 14h (summer)

Naturalisation Details

Residence Years: 5
Language Test: No
Civic Test: No
Oath Required: Yes
Dual Allowed: Yes
Fee: $100
Processing: ~24 months

Real Estate

Avg price/sqm (capital): $1,200
Transaction taxes: 6%

Foreign buyers: Foreign nationals with valid Pakistani visas may purchase property in designated areas; Overseas Pakistanis (holding NICOP cards) have broader rights equivalent to residents. Prices quoted in marla (272 sq ft) or kanal: Lahore DHA and Bahria Town PKR 200,000-400,000/marla ($850-1,700/sqm equivalent). Islamabad F-series sectors and DHA command premiums. Currency depreciation (PKR lost ~50% vs USD 2022-23) creates instability. Repatriation of sale proceeds possible but requires State Bank of Pakistan approval.

International Schools

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International schools by city, curriculum, and annual tuition
School	City	Curriculum	Tuition (USD/yr)
International School of Islamabad	Islamabad	US + IB	$10,000–$20,000

Daily Life Logistics

Internet

20 Mbps median

15% fibre coverage

eSIM: Jazz (Veon), Zong (China Mobile), Ufone (PTCL), Telenor Pakistan

Driving

IDP required

Local licence required after 12 months

Exchange eligible: Drives on the LEFT. IDP valid for foreign visitors. Expatriate residents must obtain Pakistani driving licence from local traffic authority. No bilateral exchange agreements; local test required after residency established.

Pet Relocation

Quarantine: none

Rabies titre required

EU pet passport: not accepted

Safety

GPI Rank

#150

Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)

Common Risks

⚠overcharging rickshaw and taxi drivers in Lahore and Karachi
⚠"helpful stranger" hotel scams at major bus terminals
⚠counterfeit currency in informal money exchange
⚠phishing via WhatsApp targeting overseas Pakistanis' bank accounts

Examples of areas to avoid: Lyari district (Karachi) — criminal gangs; avoid entirely, Parts of Peshawar near tribal areas after dark, FATA/KP border regions (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) — security risk; check FCO/State Dept advisories, Balochistan outside major cities

LGBTQ+ Legal Status

Same-Sex Marriage: Not legal
Civil Partnerships: Not recognised
Anti-Discrimination Law: No
ILGA Rank: #166

Religious Life

Halal Food: Widely available
Kosher Food: Limited
Prayer Facilities: Common

Sample Citizenship Test Questions

Q1. In which year was Pakistan created as an independent nation following the partition of British India?

Answer: 1947

Source: NADRA — Pakistan Citizenship

Q2. What is the name of Pakistan's national language?

Answer: Urdu

Source: NADRA — Pakistan Citizenship

Related Guides

Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave

Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.