PAF Museum, Karachi



 Armed forces play a significant role in the life of Pakistanis which have a special place in the hearts and minds of all the people. Out of the three services Pakistan Air Force enjoys the fancy of all the young and old due to the splendid record in the 2 major wars fought with India as well as the flashy jet fighters that can mesmerize anyone any day.

Seeing the tremendous admiration and interest of the Pakistani people, Pakistan Air Force started developing her museum at Shahra-e-Faisal, Karachi. This museum started off as a small venture that blossomed into an amazing spectacle that is enjoyed by people from all walks of life and age group.
 

Getting There:
PAF Museum is located right on the main artery of Karachi i.e. Shahra-e-Faisal. Though it is located at a very ideal location but you might lose sight of the entrance while driving fast on the main road. Look out for the sign boards that would get you to an exit to the Museum. It is approximately 10 min drive from Jinnah International Airport (Karachi Airport).


Parking:
Museum has a huge parking lot with courteous employees that are always ready to guide you to the parking place that you need to go to. Parking area is a very safe place to park the vehicle. Charges per car are Rs. 20 for a single visit.

Entrance:
Entrance to the Museum is very inexpensive. The charges are as follows:
                (a)          Adult                                                                             :               Rs. 30 / person
                (b)          Children (Age 3-12)                                                 :               Rs. 20 / person
                (c)           Children (under 3)                                                  :               Free
                (d)          Armed Forces personal & Families                    :               Rs. 20 / person

Timings:
Open from 11 am to 9 pm
Sunday is a Family only day

When to go:
Most part of the museum is a huge park that has beautiful walk ways having vintage aircraft out in the open for the visitors. Karachi climate is comfortable all year round so a visit during the mid-day is not a bad idea to get a good view of all the exhibits. Comfortable walking shoes are a must to avoid fatigue. Sunshine would require sunglasses / sun hat to be worn to be comfortable in the sun. ‘The Archives’ is located in a big hanger which is indoors and has lots of interesting stuff.


Eye Candies:
                Beautiful lawns are spread across the museum that have clean and beautiful walk ways that go around all the aircraft on display. A small description is written with all the aircraft, radars and other equipment to orientate you with their history and specifications. 












 

Afghan Mig-21 BIS.         One of the most exciting exhibits on display is the Afghan     Mig-21 BIS that was brought to Pakistan by an Afghan Pilot who defected in September, 1989 during the Afghan crisis. Mig-21 at that time was the main stay of India that is arch rival of Pakistan. The incident caused ripples across border in the East as Pakistan had gained access to the most formidable fighter that Indian Air Force posed as a threat to Pakistan.

Archives.             The Archives is a huge hanger that houses the rich history in the shape of tributes, pictures, aircraft  models, uniforms, interactive visual aids etc. You need at least one hour to do justice with this hanger. The most important pieces of history in the Archives are:





Quaid-e-Azam (Muhammad Ali Jinnah)’s Bristol Freighter.         This is a beautiful aircraft that has been preserved which was used by Quaid-e-Azam as the Governor General of Pakistan.





Indian Gnat.       One of the most fearsome fighters of its time, the F-104 had created so much fear in the Indian pilots that one of the Indian Gnat aircraft seeing an F-104 in the air decided to surrender and landed at Pasrur, Pakistan on 3rd Sept, 1965 during the Indo-Pak 1965 war. This ‘War Trophy’ is displayed with great honor at the Archives as a tribute to the brave and professional aviators of Pakistan Air Force.




                Amusement Park.           If you are there with kids then you are going to have a tough time looking at aircraft. A small amusement park that has a couple of rides is also a part of this Museum. So kids are bound to bounce off to these rides.

Food
                No public place in Pakistan can survive without some place to eat and drink. You can find a small snack shop that serves snacks and soft drinks with a small sitting area under the shade as well.

Souvenir Shop
                Right next to the entry / exit gate you will find the souvenir shop where you can find beautiful and very inexpensive gifts and souvenirs that you can take along on your way out for friends and family.


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