Day 0.
Outside Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, ready to start my trip to Pakistan. It was my first time flying Emirates since my trip to the USA in February last year.
Being only a ~2 hour flight from Dubai, I had been wanting to visit Pakistan for quite a while. I had originally planned a trip back in 2014, but was thwarted when I tried to apply for a visa 6 weeks prior at the Dubai consulate but was told that approval would need to come from Islamabad and that it normally takes 2-3 months.
Not wanting to be without my passport for that length of time, I had put off visiting the country in favour of other destinations.
Recently however I had heard that the visa review and approval could now be done in Dubai, with only a few days turnaround.
I had wanted to visit the country independently, but as the visa requirements included a letter of invitation, tourist company license and Pakistan National ID copy, I just opted to go through a local tour operator to organise the trip and hence get the necessary supporting documentation.
For flights to and from Pakistan (DXB-KHI, ISB-DXB) I flew on
Emirates. A few days before my departure to Karachi I received an email offer for a cash upgrade to Business class for a reasonable 550 AED ($150) and which I opted to indulge in.
For my internal flight from Karachi to Lahore (KHI-LHE) I was originally booked on
Pakistan International Airlines but after the flight was cancelled I eventually flew to Lahore on
Shaheen Air.
Heading through to the Emirates First and Business Class terminal for check in.
And onto the Business Class lounge after heading through immigration and security. My cash upgrade didn't entitle me to lounge access, but my EK Silver status luckily did.
Emirates has seven lounges at Dubai Airport and this was my first time visiting the Concourse B Business Class lounge.
There was plenty of natural light and views of the boarding gates below.
Grabbing a bite to eat along with an interesting glass of green apple, cucumber, celery and spinach juice.
