Pakistan - Sind Province

Hundreds of years ago, travelers called Sind province the Unhappy Valley because of its burning deserts, freezing mountain peaks, dust, lack of water and general fear of the predatory tribes. Today it should perhaps be called the Very Unhappy Valley. Competing groups of Sunnis and Shias, Mohajirs and Sindhis all try their best to lower the population tally of the other groups. The result is frequent assassinations, firefights, bomb attacks, murders and overall mayhem. Several American businessmen have also been gunned down in Karachi. The government likes to blame these killings on whoever is convenient, (i.e., out of favor at the time). When the various kids with guns get a bit bored they take time off to do a bit of freelance banditry. Hey, c'mon, they've gotta earn a living somehow! Just keep your fingers crossed its not you they stumble across one fine evening.

Dacoits are well armed and will attack travelers even with your trusty police escort. They have been known to stop entire trains or vehicle caravans, often kidnapping and killing passengers. Anyone contemplating travel into the Sind interior should first contact the American Consulate (8 Abdullah Haroon Road, Karachi, Tel.: 515081) for advisability. Gunmen can be hired from travel groups or on the street (not advised) for about 4,000 rupees a day. You will have to pay for your bodyguard's room and board. Sind province still has a fairly healthy kidnappings-for-ransom business.

http://sindh.net/

http://www.sindh.gov.pk/index.shtml