FAQ: Everything you need to know about iPods and iPhones in Pakistan

Lahore's Apple Store

A ton of user searches on Tech Lahore are about iPods, iPhones and other Mac “stuff”. We figured it was time to share some useful info on buying, using and customizing your iPod and iPhone in Pakistan.

Is there an Apple Store in Pakistan?

Yes, though it isn’t 100% owned by Apple Computer as most US Apple Stores are. The Apple Stores in Pakistan are a joint venture with the local Raffles Computer company. These guys have been assembling and manufacturing PCs for many years under their own brand, but are also one of Apple’s largest resellers in Pakistan.

The opening for the Apple Store in Lahore was pretty high profile. The US Ambassador to Pakistan, Anne Patterson, did the honours.

Which telco in Pakistan is the official Apple iPhone partner?

Apparently Warid is going to be the official telco partner for Apple in Pakistan, but this YouTube video shows a Mobilink ad showcasing the iPhone. There haven’t been any official announcements from Mobilink though, and we might just be reading too much into it.

How much can I expect to pay for an iPhone/iPod in Pakistan?

Right after the iPhone launched in the US, it was pretty much immediately available in Pakistan. However, the initial unlocked version was quite expensive. You can get an idea of the initial launch pricing by taking a look at this State of Telecom blog entry. However, now things are far more reasonable. In fact, here at Tech Lahore we recently covered a CNET article that compared global iPod prices and Pakistan compares very well with other countries in the region. The iPod, on average, was priced lower in Pakistan than in India and many other neighbouring countries. So in general, if you’re buying an iPod or iPhone in Pakistan, you’re going to get a good deal.

Should I get an iPhone or an iPod?

Good question. If you are pretty sure you’re only going to want to carry a single device, it’s a no-brainer. Go with the iPhone.

If you’re mobile most of the time and are out of Wifi hotspot coverage when you need access to data services like email or web surfing, once again, go with the iPhone.

On the other hand, if you want to save some money and primarily think of the iPhone as a little palm-top computer, the iPod Touch might be just the ticket. You’ll save between Rs. 7,000-8,000 and as long as you have a Wifi connection, you’ll be able to use the famous Safari brower, download apps, check email and do anything else you could on an iPhone.

Where can I get apps, ringtones and wallpapers for my iPhone and iPod?

You can get the best iPhone apps at the Apple Store. But if you’re interested in wallpapers for your iPod, give http://www.iphone-wallpapers.org/ a spin. The stuff posted there is free!

You can also find Ringtones optimized for your iPod at http://www.ringtonefeeder.com/

Gimme gimme gimme! A deck of iPhones

Where can I get my Apple gear serviced in Pakistan?

There’s, count ‘em, a list of 18 resellers provided below. Whether you’re in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi or Islamabad, you’ll have several options. Give these guys a call and make sure they have parts in stock for the Apple gizmos you own. It might save you a trip… For some repairs, as in the US, you’re just going to have to give them your broken iPod/iPhone and they’ll service it, then return it to you after a few days.

Where can I buy an iPod or iPhone from, in Pakistan?

Bawany Technologies – Apple Premium Reseller, Apple Authorised Service Provider
23 C, 4th Zamzama Commercial Lane
DHA V, Karachi

Tel: 021 5302143-4
Fax:
Email: info@bawanytech.com
Web: http://www.bawanytech.com

Concept Computer Professionals – Apple Authorised Reseller, Apple Authorised Service Provider
2nd Floor, Building No.27, Main Commercial Area,
Cavalry Ground, Lahore Cantonment

Tel: 042 6684591, 6684598, 6653596
Fax: 042 6610448
Email: concept@nexlinkx.net.pk
Web:

e:Store – Apple Authorised Reseller, Apple Authorised Service Provider
G-68 Basement Floor, Millenium Mall
Rashid Minhas Road, Karachi

Tel: 92 333 3426726, 92 300 9220638
Fax:
Email:
Web:

iRaffles – Apple Premium Reseller, Apple Authorised Service Provider
5-A, P-Block, M.M. Alam Road
Gulberg II Lahore

Tel: 042 5757402, 5757417
Fax: 042-5873888
Email: info@rafflesystems.com
Web: http://www.rafflesystems.com

iStore – Apple Authorised Reseller, Apple Authorised Service Provider
5 Ground Floor Pace Pakistan Liimted
Main Boulevard Gulgerb III Lahore

Tel: 042 5757508
Fax: 042 6610448
Email: concept@nexlinkx.net.pk
Web:

Marsons USA Corporation – Apple Authorised Distributor, Apple Authorised Service Provider
515 Clifton Centre
Clifton, Karachi

Tel: 021 5875431
Fax: 021 5873460
Email: nakhtar@marsons.com.pk
Web: http://www.marsons.com.pk/

Marsons USA Corporation – Apple Authorised Distributor, Apple Authorised Service Provider
11, 1st floor, Hafeez centre, Main Blvd, Gulberg-III
Lahore

Tel: 042 5713859
Fax: 021 5873460
Email: nakhtar@marsons.com.pk
Web: http://www.marsons.com.pk/

Marsons USA Corporation – Apple Authorised Distributor, Apple Authorised Service Provider
7/8 Abbas centre, 87-W, Fazl-e-Haq Road, Blue Area
Islamabad

Tel: 051 2829174
Fax: 021 5873460
Email: nakhtar@marsons.com.pk
Web: http://www.marsons.com.pk/

MediaCenter – Apple Authorised Reseller, Apple Authorised Service Provider
Shop 5-C Main Kh-e-Ittehad road
DHA, Phase 2 Ext. Karachi

Tel: 021 5891394
Fax: 021 5396813
Email: info@mediacenterpk.com
Web: http://www.mediacenterpk.com

MediaCenter – Apple Authorised Reseller, Apple Authorised Service Provider
Ground Floor, The Forum Mall,
Clifton, Karachi

Tel: 021 5891394
Fax: 021 5396813
Email: info@mediacenterpk.com
Web: http://www.mediacenterpk.com

Pak Mac Links – Apple Authorised Reseller, Apple Authorised Service Provider
Suite No. 2, 2nd Floor, Gaba Building
19-Abbot Road Lahore,

Tel: 042 7241160
Fax: 051 2822322
Email: info@pakmac.com
Web: http://www.pakmac.com/

Pak Mac Links – Apple Authorised Reseller, Apple Authorised Service Provider
Mezzanine 1, Chughtai Plaza
35 Blue Area, Fazal-e-Haq Road, Islamabad

Tel: 051 2821177, 2874332, 2829874
Fax: 051 2822322
Email: info@pakmac.com
Web: http://www.pakmac.com/

Pak Mac Links – Apple Authorised Reseller, Apple Authorised Service Provider
Office 132 , Dubai Plaza
Murree Road, Rawalpindi

Tel: 051 4455061
Fax: 051 2822322
Email: info@pakmac.com
Web: http://www.pakmac.com/

Raffles (Pvt) Limited – Apple Authorised Distributor, Apple Authorised Service Provider
57-D-1 Gilberg III, Lahore

Tel: 042 5871201, 5871202, 5871215
Fax: 042-5873888
Email: Ibrahim@rafflesystems.com
Web: http://www.rafflesystems.com

Raffles (Pvt) Limited – Apple Authorised Distributor, Apple Authorised Service Provider
Block # 53, Mezzanine 1,2&3, Fazal-e-Haq road, blue area
Islamabad.

Tel: 051 2873973, 2873974, 2873975
Fax: 051- 2873976
Email: info@rafflesystems.com
Web: http://www.rafflesystems.com

Raffles (Pvt) Limited – Apple Authorised Distributor, Apple Authorised Service Provider
Office # 512, 5th floor, Business Avenue, Main Shahra-e-faisal. Karachi
Islamabad.

Tel: 021 4392512, 4392513, 4392514
Fax: 021 4392517
Email: info@rafflesystems.com
Web: http://www.rafflesystems.com

Channel-Tek (Head Office) – Apple Video Authorised Reseller, Apple Authorised Service Provider
# 302, 3rd floor, Plot # 131/II, Speedy Towers
DHA Phase ” 1 “, Main Korangi Road, Karachi

Tel: 021 111-567-111
Fax: 021 539-0434
Email: info@channeltek.com
Web: http://www.channeltek.com/

Channel-Tek (Head Office) – Apple Video Authorised Reseller, Apple Authorised Service Provider
Channel-Tek House, # 45, School Road
F – 7 / 1, Islamabad

Tel: 051 111 567 111
Fax: 051 265-4008
Email: info@channeltek.com
Web: http://www.cahnneltek.com/