Essentials
- City
- Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
- Population
- Approx. 850,000
- Internet Speed
- 15-50 Mbps (PTCL Fiber and StormFiber), 4G LTE widely available via Jazz and Zong
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 278 PKR. Major banks include HBL, Alfalah, and Meezan Bank
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water (Nestlé Pure Life) or filtered dispensers
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C & D sockets; frequent power outages (load shedding) require UPS or generators
- SIM Card
- Jazz, Zong, and Telenor; available at the airport or franchise shops with biometric verification (Passport required)
- Banking for Expats
- Standard Chartered or Alfalah for international wire transfers; SadaPay/Nayapay for local digital payments
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses and hotels; ranging from $20 to $120 per night
- Cashless Friendly
- Limited; cash is king. Card payments accepted in high-end hotels and supermarkets like Mall of Bahawalpur
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (limited) and locally managed apartments in Model Town
- Budget Accommodation
- Hotel One ($50/night) or PTDC Motel ($25/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Noor Mahal Road or near the Museum for proximity to historical sites
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Model Town or Satellite Town for better infrastructure and proximity to cafes
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Plan9 - PITB (Government-run incubator, variable access) or private setups in Satellite Town
- Best Cafe for Work
- Gloria Jean's Coffees (Mall of Bahawalpur) or Libra Cafe
- Networking Events
- Freelancing seminars at Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB)
- Social Events for Expats
- Very limited; primarily through private university circles or the Bahawalpur Club
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bykea (Motorbike) and InDrive (Cars)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- No formal rental agencies; local private rentals are negotiated at small shops in the old city
- Best Beach Nearby
- N/A (Inland desert region). Sutlej River banks provide scenic views but no swimming
- Top Regional Airline
- Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) via Bahawalpur Airport (BHV)
- Top International Airline
- Emirates or Qatar Airways (via Multan International Airport, 1.5 hours away)
- Highway Access
- N-5 National Highway and M-5 Motorway connecting to Multan and Sukkur
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Bahawalpur Railway Station (connects to Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad)
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital pass; cash-based 'Chingchi' rickshaws and Daewoo Express for intercity travel
- Regional Travel
- Daewoo Express or Faisal Movers for reliable bus travel to Lahore ($10-$15)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Victoria Hospital (Public) or Aga Khan Diagnostic Centre (Private)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Fitness gyms in Model Town often have separate sessions for women
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The Fit Pro Gym (Model Town C) - ~3,000 PKR/month
- Laundry Services
- Snow White Dry Cleaners or local 'Dhobi' services in Satellite Town
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Foodpanda (widely used)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Sohan Halwa (traditional sweet) and Sajji
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Vegetable Biryani and Daal dishes at local 'Dhabas'; no dedicated vegan cafes
- Best Dessert Spots
- Rewari Sweets for authentic Sohan Halwa
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Shahi Bazaar for traditional goods and textiles
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Daraz.pk for general goods
- Grocery Delivery
- Pandamart (via Foodpanda) or local Marts in Model Town
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- No alcohol/bars due to local laws; social life revolves around late-night food at Rashid Minhas Road
- Local Brewery
- None (Alcohol is prohibited for Muslims)
- Wine Bars
- N/A
- Street Food Stalls
- Fareed Gate street food area for skewers and local snacks
- Popular International Cuisine
- KFC and Pizza Hut at the Mall of Bahawalpur
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Noor Mahal, Darbar Mahal, and Gulzar Mahal
- Museums & Art Venues
- Bahawalpur Museum (Indigenous artifacts and Quranic gallery)
- Historical Sites
- Derawar Fort in the Cholistan Desert (approx 100km away)
- Religious Sites
- Al-Sadiq Mosque (Stunning white marble architecture)
- Annual Events
- Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally (February/March)
- Cultural Districts
- Old Walled City and Shahi Bazaar
- Theater Venues
- Bahawalpur Arts Council
- Local Markets
- Lari Adda Market for daily essentials and clothes
- Music Scene
- Traditional Sufi music during desert festivals
- Street Art
- Truck art exhibits and murals near the University
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes arranged through local guesthouses for Punjabi cuisine
- Art Galleries
- The gallery inside the Bahawalpur Museum
- Historic Buildings
- Sadiq Dane High School (Victorian architecture)
- Local Heritage
- The Princely State heritage of the Nawabs of Bahawalpur
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lal Suhanra National Park (Wildlife and Safari)
- National Parks Nearby
- Lal Suhanra National Park (One of the largest in South Asia)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Cantt Area parks (Restricted access) or the University tracks
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Sunset at Derawar Fort over the Cholistan dunes
- Birdwatching Locations
- Pattrisar Lake within Lal Suhanra National Park
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Desert camping sites near Derawar
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- TCS, Leopard Couriers, and Pakistan Post
- Tech Repair Services
- Hafeez Center style shops near the General Post Office (GPO)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Bahawalpur Club (Membership required)
- Language Classes
- Urdu/Punjabi classes through private tutors at Islamia University
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Central Library Bahawalpur (Impressive Italianate building)
- Community Centers
- Bahawalpur Club
- Gaming Lounges
- Local small-scale PC cafes in Satellite Town
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- N/A (Illegal)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 45,000 PKR per m² (e.g., 40 m² ≈ 1,800,000 PKR / $6,500)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 30,000 PKR per m² (e.g., 40 m² ≈ 1,200,000 PKR / $4,300)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 40,000 PKR per m² (e.g., 60 m² ≈ 2,400,000 PKR / $8,600)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 28,000 PKR per m² (e.g., 60 m² ≈ 1,680,000 PKR / $6,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 38,000 PKR per m² (e.g., 80 m² ≈ 3,040,000 PKR / $11,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 25,000 PKR per m² (e.g., 80 m² ≈ 2,000,000 PKR / $7,200)
- Corporate Tax
- 29%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Residential basis (Worldwide income for residents)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 17-18% General Sales Tax (GST)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable under Income Tax Ordinance 2001
- Property Tax
- Yes, provincial Punjab Urban Immovable Property Tax
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx 3-5% (Stamp duty and Capital Value Tax)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; however, IT export earnings have historically received significant exemptions (0.25% final tax)