Pakistan — Shopping
Shopping
Special purchases include carved wooden tables, trays, screens, silver trinkets, pottery, camel-skin lamps, bamboo decorations, woodwork, brassware, cane items, glass bangles, gold ornaments, hand-embroidered shawls, rugs and carpets, silk, cashmere shawls and saleem shahi shoes with upturned toes. While some of the major towns have craft centers where handicrafts from different regions are sold, bazaars often provide the most interesting shopping. It is expected that the customer should bargain for goods.
Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0930-1300 and 1500-1830. Bazaars stay open longer.
Currency
Pakistan Rupee (PKR; symbol ₨). Notes are in denominations of ₨5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of ₨5, 2 and 1.
Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs
American Express is the most widely accepted card. MasterCard and Visa are also good, but Diners Club and other cards have more limited use. There are ATMs in all major cities.
Travelers Checks
Generally accepted at most banks, 4- and 5-star hotels and major shops, though the exchange can often be problematic.
Currency Restrictions
The import and export of local currency is limited to ₨100 in denominations of ₨10 or less. The import and export of foreign currency are unlimited.
Banking Hours
Mon-Sat 0900-1330, Fri 0900-1230.
Exchange Rate
| 1.00 GBP = 139.27 PKR |
| 1.00 USD = 86.71 PKR |
| 1.00 EUR = 122.38 PKR |
| Currency conversion rates as of 19 July 2011 |
