Besides the numerous beggars, my experiences with Pakistani people were excellent. The average person in the street was very friendly, particularly in reaction to a positive comment about the country. Some people insisted I take a photo of them even when I wasn’t planning to.

As you can see, the photos below consist almost solely men or boys. There are a couple of reasons for this: a) males were far more visible in the street and, b) in Pakistan it is considered rude to take photos of women unknown to the photographer.

A drinks server at Hani and Mehwish’s first wedding reception

Guards at Mazar-e-Quaid, Jinnah’s Mausoleum, Karachi

Attendees at a Qawwali Sufi music concert, Lahore

A wise man (on the right) and his attendant at the Sufi concert, Lahore

The Gypsies in the centre of the photo are both outcasts and somewhat mythical. They were also at the Sufi dancing later that night.

I bought a mobile SIM card from these guys in Lahore. To obtain the card all I had to do was pay 150 rupees (about US$2.50). There were no forms to fill or identification to show. The card even came with 180 rupees worth of credit!

Their telephone service and photocopying shop is located in a lift (elevator) that has not operated for 20 years.

This man and the baby girl were on a street in the hospital district of central Lahore

In the labrinth that is Lahore’s Old City

A craftsman chiselling a piece of timber in the old city

Japanese backpacker Kae taking a photo of a boy in the old city. The sheep were to be slaughtered as part of the upcoming Eid ul-Azha (Feast of Sacrifice).

A street seller, Lahore. I considered buying one of the hats he is wearing. I wish I did.

A worker at the Regale Internet Inn, Lahore. He came from Chitral(?) and was very friendly, offering me cups of tea in return for fruit and nuts.

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