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Pakistan

K2 base camps, ancient ruins, and some of the cheapest living in Asia

54/100
FutureLife Score
#144
FutureLife Index 2026
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$650
Comfortable/mo
4.2/10
Safety
4.5/10
Healthcare
#105
Happiness rank

Key Scores

54/100
Higher = better
Future Life Score
4.2/10
Safety Index
4.5/10
Healthcare
#105
Lower = happier
Happiness Rank

Why people move to Pakistan

+K2 - world's second-highest peak (for trekkers)
+Lahore's Mughal architecture and food scene
+Hunza Valley - one of the most beautiful in Asia
+English is a co-official language
+Some of the cheapest cities in Asia to live in
Budget LivingMountainsAncient History
Culture & context

Muslim-majority South Asian nation - warm hospitality, deep family ties, complex politics. Cricket and cuisine bind the country.

People, religion & languages

Population
~240M
38% urban
Languages
Urdu (national), English (official)
Also: Punjabi (~38%), Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi
Day-to-day English

High in business and educated urban; moderate elsewhere.

Religion

Sunni Muslim-majority Islamic Republic. Religion central to public and private life.

Sunni Muslim
80%
Shia Muslim
15%
Christian
2%
Hindu
2%
Other
1%
In daily life

Highly visible - call to prayer, Friday prayer pause widely observed.

Culture & etiquette

What locals value and what to watch for

Hospitality (mehman nawazi)FamilyHonourReligious observanceCricket
Do
  • Accept tea (chai) and biscuits enthusiastically
  • Eat with your right hand
  • Dress modestly (women especially in public)
  • Greet elders first
Avoid
  • Public alcohol (officially restricted)
  • PDAs
  • Discussing India-Pakistan politics casually
  • Photographing women without consent
Pace of life

Karachi intense; Lahore food-and-culture rich; villages slow.

Expat-friendliness

Genuinely hospitable; security context varies by city.

Holidays & food culture

Bold, spicy, rich. Biryani, kebabs, tandoor breads - Punjabi and Sindhi traditions especially strong.

BiryaniNihariKarahiNaanSamosaChai
Mealtimes

Lunch 13:00–15:00, dinner 21:00–23:00 (very late).

Dietary norms

Halal default; veg options widespread but meat-centric. Alcohol heavily restricted.

Major holidays
Variable
Eid al-Fitr
Variable
Eid al-Adha
March 23
Pakistan Day
August 14
Independence Day
Variable
Ashura
Major Shia event; processions
December 25
Christmas
Public holiday

Work culture & business norms

Working weekMonday–Friday (some Saturday)
Hours09:00–17:30; Friday lunch break extended for prayer.
HierarchyStrongly hierarchical.
PunctualityFlexible.
Meeting styleTea and relationship before business.
Business attireShalwar kameez common; suits in finance/law.
Monthly cost snapshot
Comfortable lifestyle$700/mo
Semi-Luxury lifestyle$1,300/mo
Luxury lifestyle$2,500/mo

Single person, before income tax

AI affordability check
At $4,000/month remote income you'd have $3,350 surplus after budget-tier costs - saving 84% of your income.
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Quick facts

LanguageUrdu / English
CurrencyPKR
Internet15 Mbps avg
EnglishHigh
Future Life Score54/100
Future Life Rank#144
PR pathModerate
CitizenshipNo clear path
Passport rank#80
Visa-free80 countries
Income tax35% top rate
VAT17%
CapitalIslamabad
Best airportsISB (Islamabad), KHI (Karachi), LHE (Lahore)
Coastline1,046 km Arabian Sea
Population~240M
Avg temp24°C / 75°F

Visa options

Tourist e-VisaEasy
Pakistan Origin CardModerate
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