Carry photo ID for Islamabad police checkpoints
- Islamabad, Pakistan
- Posted on
About this trap
Police checkpoints are common on Islamabad roads, and the UK government advises visitors to carry photo ID because officials may ask to see it. Keep your passport or a clear copy in your day bag, including in taxis and ride-hailing cars. Stay polite and patient when a car is stopped. Do not photograph airports, military sites or government buildings, which is also advised.
Where
Carry photo ID for Islamabad police checkpointsRoads and checkpoints across Islamabad
Open in Google Maps(opens in a new tab)More Tips & Traps in Islamabad
15 posts from Local Friends and travelers who know the city.IC TipSleepIslamabad Serena: a stay built on Pakistani craft
Islamabad, PakistanIslamabad Serena, in sector G-5 opposite the Convention Centre, is a stay worth choosing for the building itself. Architect Nayyar Ali Dada worked with local craftspeople on hand-hewn marble, carved wood and traditionally woven fabrics, and rooms follow Swati or Punjabi decor themes. It suits travelers who want one…
IN TipEventsIslamabad Literature Festival in early November
Islamabad, PakistanThe Islamabad Literature Festival, organised by Oxford University Press Pakistan, ran in early November in 2023 and 2024 at the Gandhara Citizen Club inside Fatima Jinnah Park. Three days of talks, plus evening mushaira and ghazal nights, make it an easy way to hear local writers and poets. Dates move each year and a…
TipEventsSpring flower show at the Rose and Jasmine Garden
Islamabad, PakistanEach spring the CDA and the National Horticultural Society of Pakistan hold a flower show at the Rose and Jasmine Garden, below Shakarparian near Aabpara. The 44th edition ran for three days in April 2025. Roses and other seasonal blooms fill the walking tracks, so allow an easy morning. Dates change yearly, so look…
CP TipMusic & NightlifeCatch a qawwali or Sufi night at PNCA
Islamabad, PakistanThe Pakistan National Council of the Arts in sector F-5 is one of Islamabad's main live stages. A qawwali night ran there in June 2026 and an opera and Sufi concert in its auditorium in September 2026. Programmes change month to month, so check the council's announcements and event pages a few days before you travel…
SD TipShopShop the H-9 weekly bazaar and pay digitally
Islamabad, PakistanThe H-9 weekly bazaar, known as the Sunday market, is one of Islamabad's big open-air markets, with fruit, vegetables, clothing, kitchenware, second-hand books and furniture. Since November 2025 stalls accept digital payments, with discounts for shoppers who pay that way, though cash still works. Go early on a Sunday…
TipPhotography & ViewsPir Sohawa: the higher Margalla viewpoint
Islamabad, PakistanPir Sohawa sits on the ridge above Daman-e-Koh, about a fifteen-minute drive further up, and is the end point of several Margalla trails. Terrace cafes there open wide views over the hills and the city, and the cooler air lets you stay for golden hour. Go on a weekday since weekends fill with day-trippers, and bring a…
TipPhotography & ViewsPakistan Monument: city views from the viewing platform
Islamabad, PakistanThe Pakistan Monument stands on the western Shakarparian hills and is visible from across the twin cities. At the far end of its plaza, a viewing platform gives a bird's-eye view of Islamabad, useful for a wide shot of the grid and the Margalla ridge. Come late in the afternoon for softer light, and leave the nearby…
TipArt & CultureShah Allah Ditta: Buddhist-era caves by the Margallas
Islamabad, PakistanShah Allah Ditta, at the foot of the Margallas beside sector D-12, has ancient Buddhist caves with Buddha figures on the walls, set next to a Sufi shrine. The site is under conservation and development works, so expect rough access roads and some construction. Visit on a dry weekday morning, keep to the paths and do…
Know Islamabad well?
Share a tip, or warn travelers about a trap. It only takes a few minutes.