One of the few countries open to tourists during the Covid-19 pandemic is Pakistan. After closing its borders to foreign tourists in March 2020, the country officially reopened its borders on 5th October 2020.
While all incoming travellers should have travel insurance the covers COVID-19 for the duration of their trip to Pakistan, those who have been residing in the following countries are EXEMPT from the test requirement. It’s quite a long list and Singapore is included!
- Australia
- China
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Fiji
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Kazakhstan
- Laos
- Maldives
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Rwanda
- South Korea
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Singapore
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Togo
- Uruguay
- Vietnam
- Zambia
Travellers coming from all other countries will be required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate no older then 96 hours from the time the test was taken to arriving in Pakistan.
Nepal is not in the list but a team of Sherpas took the opportunity to attempt an winter ascent of K2 in January 2021. 10 Sherpas from the team reached the summit on 16th January 2021 at 1700 local time. Congratulations to the team. You can read more from their Instagram account.
The 10 Sherpas, prominent among them was Nirmal Purja, a former Gurkha and UK special forces member who had previously climbed all 14 8,000-metre-plus peaks in just over six months was in the summit team. They left their high camp at 1am for their summit attempt via the Abruzzi Spur in temperatures as cold as -40C but with low wind and in brilliant sunshine.
Our very own Khoo Swee Chiow climbed K2 successfully on 31st July 2012, under far less difficult conditions but still an amazing feat.
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