Born in the small city of Rahim Yar Khan and now based in Islamabad, Jahangir Afzal a passionate Pakistani traveller, has turned childhood dreams of exploring the globe into a reality, despite the challenges of holding one of the world’s weakest passports.
Inspired by the Urdu travelogue from his dad’s files, Jahangir’s journeys have taken them from the deserts of South Punjab to the streets of Russia during the FIFA World Cup, to acts of heartwarming kindness in Kazakhstan, and even a red-carpet welcome in Ukraine after an initial rejection at its border. Alongside travels, Jihangir co-founded Twinhub, a coworking space in Islamabad that celebrates community, storytelling, and the spirit of travel, welcoming both local explorers and international nomads.
Tell us a little about yourself and how your initial interest in travel developed.
I’m a traveler at heart, someone who’s endlessly curious about people, cultures, and the stories behind every place. I was born and grew up in Rahim Yar Khan, a small but fascinating city near the desert in South Punjab. These days, I’m based in Islamabad, which is a whole different world, full of energy and new perspectives.
My obsession with travel started when I was a kid. I’d spend hours staring at a globe, tracing borders, wondering how countries connected, and imagining what life was like there. But the real turning point, discovering an urdu travelogue in my dad’s library ‘Niklay Teri Talash Main’ ( a travelogue of Europe, was published in 1971) by Mustansar Hussain Tarar.
That book completely swept me away. It wasn’t just about places; it was about adventure, history, and seeing the world through someone else’s eyes. And yeah, having one of the world’s least powerful passports hasn’t made traveling easy, but it’s never stopped me from exploring, whether it’s across Pakistan or dreaming about the next
destination.
What type of traveller would you consider yourself?
I’d say I’m more of a solo traveler. I love the freedom of exploring at my own pace, wandering through streets, discovering hidden spots, and just soaking in the experience without a fixed schedule. There’s something really refreshing about making spontaneous decisions, like staying longer in a place just because it feels right or striking up random conversations with locals.
You are from Pakistan? Would you say there is a culture of travel in Pakistan? If so, what are some of the popular destinations? And if not really, then why?
Absolutely! Pakistanis love traveling, especially within the country. Domestic tourism is huge because we have so many stunning places to explore, from the mountains up north to the beaches down south. But international travel, That’s a whole different story. With one of the weakest passports in the world, getting visas is a nightmare. Most Pakistanis stick to “green passport-friendly” countries where visas are easier like Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Turkey, or Thailand and so on.
Even then, there’s always the fear of rejection or, worse, being denied entry at the airport. Budget airlines barely exist for us, so expensive flights are another hurdle.
You live in Islamabad. What are your favourite things about the city?
Islamabad is love. It’s this perfect blend of modern and lush green. Where else can you get smooth roads, cleanliness, and the Margalla Hills staring at you from every corner? If you’re like me and obsessed with rain, this city feels like a blessing. That first monsoon downpour with a cup of Quetta chai, Killer combination.
It’s not too chaotic, no suffocating crowds or endless honking, just enough buzz to keep things interesting. Fancy cafes? Check. Street-side samosa stalls? Check. Hiking trails, bookshops, and quiet spots to just exist. All here. Honestly, I can’t imagine living anywhere else in Pakistan. This city gives you a little of everything, exactly how you like it.
You own a co-working space. Tell us a little bit about this and how it can involve travellers.
I am the co-founder of Twinhub, a coworking space in Islamabad, Pakistan, located right in the center of the city. It’s more than just desks and fast internet. We’re a friendly, welcoming community with a real love for travel and meaningful conversations. Travel is a big part of our culture here. Many of our members are frequent travelers, and we love hearing their stories. We often organize casual sessions where they share experiences from their trips, and we celebrate their adventures together.
We’ve also hosted international travelers and digital nomads, offering them free or discounted coworking when they drop by. It’s always a great experience when they connect with our community and exchange stories, perspectives, and energy. What makes Twinhub different is how much we genuinely value travel and travelers. Most businesses don’t focus on this, but for us, it’s something close to the heart. We believe people who travel bring something special into a space; new ideas, fresh energy, and often, lifelong memories.
Of the countries you have visited so far, which one was the greatest positive surprise and why?
Every country I’ve visited has given me something special. Russia in 2018 during the FIFA World Cup. I was nervous, expecting a tough time at immigration because of my green passport issues. But it was the smoothest experience ever. No interrogation, no bag checks, just a quick stamp and a smile. The whole trip was incredible – the energy, the people, how welcoming they were. It totally changed my perception.
And which one was a negative surprise, if any?
Hmm, I wouldn’t say any country itself was a negative surprise. Most challenges come from… well, my passport color or my brown skin color. It’s the stereotypes people have, thanks to how Western media portrays us. I can’t really blame airport officials if they think we still ride camels or that every Pakistani is either too poor to travel or potentially dangerous. That automatic suspicion does get tiring, but I just laugh it off – their loss for missing out on getting to know amazing Pakistani travelers!
Please give us two travel stories that stand out and have stayed with you until today.
The Unexpected Eid Gift in Kazakhstan: It was Eid morning in Kazakhstan – and my worst travel nightmare came true. My bank card stopped working (blocked by my bank, I later learned), and I’d foolishly misplaced my wallet. Stranded in the countryside with just a few Kazakh notes in my pocket, I faced an impossible choice: buy food or a bus ticket back to Astana.
The aroma from a roadside cafe eventually won over my hunger. Exhausted, I collapsed into a chair and managed to order tea. But then magic happened – the server brought out an apple pie despite my protests. With each sweet bite, my desperation melted away. When I nervously asked for the bill, he simply typed on Google translate app on my phone: ‘No money… you are a guest… Eid.’ That simple act of kindness turned a disastrous day into one I’ll never forget.
From Airport Rejection to Red Carpet Welcome in Ukraine: In 2019, My first encounter with Ukraine was harsh. Detained at Kyiv’s Boryspil Airport, questioned for hours, and sent back to Pakistan after 24 hours, I boarded that plane heartbroken, convinced Ukrainians saw me as nothing more than a suspicious outsider. But the universe had other plans.
Weeks later, I hosted Artemy Surin, a Ukrainian traveler and founder of One Life, in Pakistan. Over cups of steaming chai, I shared my story casually, laughing it off. But Artemy didn’t laugh. His face fell. “This is not Ukraine,” he said firmly. “This is not my people.” He wrote a Facebook post about what happened, not angrily, but with sadness. “A guest came to our home, and we turned him away,” he wrote. By morning, the post had exploded. Hundreds of Ukrainians flooded the comments with messages like “Bring him back!” and “This isn’t who we are!” Then came the miracle.
Anton Taranenko, The head of Kyiv City Department of Tourism reached out personally. “Let us make this right,” he said. Weeks later, I landed in Kyiv again, this time to flashing cameras, bouquets of sunflowers, and open arms. Strangers hugged me at the airport. Journalists asked, “Tell us about Pakistan!” Cafe owners refused to let me pay for meals. “You’re our guest now,” they insisted.
For seven days, Ukraine loved me harder than I’d ever been loved by a country. They showed me Lviv’s cobblestone charm, and Kyiv’s golden-domed resilience. But more than the sights, I fell for them, their fierce pride in hospitality, their determination to prove stereotypes wrong. That’s the Ukraine the world doesn’t see enough: a nation of people who will move mountains to make a stranger feel like family. They didn’t just change my mind, they rewrote my heart. Дякую, Україно. You turned my saddest travel memory into my most beautiful lesson on humanity.
Where was your last trip and what was the best thing about it?
My last international trip was actually that unforgettable Ukraine visit – right before COVID changed everything. After that, like everyone else, I had to press pause on overseas travel while focusing on my business. That gave me the perfect opportunity to rediscover my own country.I turned into a full-time Pakistan explorer! From the snow-capped peaks of Hunza to the golden deserts of Cholistan. I’ve been crisscrossing this beautiful land. It’s funny how we often dream of distant places while missing the wonders in our own backyard.
If you were told you could never travel abroad again and had to choose one country to settle in for the rest of your life, which country would you choose and why?
If I could never travel abroad again and had to choose one country besides my beloved Pakistan to call home forever, it would be Mauritius without a second thought. Why? Because it’s like nature took all the best parts of the world and packed them into one paradise island. Imagine waking up to emerald mountains that remind me of home, with perfect weather that’s never too hot or cold. The island is always green and lush, with those sudden tropical rains that make everything smell fresh.
And the beaches – oh, the beaches! Crystal-clear waters in fifty shades of blue that I could never tire of. But what really steals my heart are the people. Mauritians have this warmth that makes you feel at home immediately. Their multicultural society feels so welcoming, and there’s a beautiful harmony between different cultures that I deeply admire. It’s like they’ve perfected the art of living – good food, stunning nature, and kind souls everywhere you go. What more could anyone need?
Let’s turn to NomadMania, whose Envoy you are. What are some things you especially like about NomadMania?
What do I love about NomadMania? Everything! First, the community. Then there’s the knowledge. But most of all? The inspiration. Seeing members visit places I’ve never heard of, or finding creative ways to explore, it pushes me to travel deeper, not just farther. It’s the ultimate home for people like us, where borders fade and passion for travel connects everyone.
Tell us about your role as Envoy. What have you done so far and how do you envisage doing more in the future? How do you feel the Pakistan travel world is responding to NomadMania?
Being appointed as NomadMania’s Envoy for Pakistan last year was such an honor! I hit the ground running by organizing the very first NomadMania introduction session in the country, followed by a meetup in Islamabad. Having Harry Mitsidis himself join us was the cherry on top. It really showed the local travel community how special this platform is. My goal: More meetups, Showcase Pakistan and Bridge gaps.
And finally, our signature question. If you could invite any 4 people – from any period in human history, alive or dead, even fictional characters – to an imaginary dinner, who would want to invite and why?
My dream dinner table would bring together four extraordinary souls whose lives speak to the power of wanderlust, both realized and unfulfilled.
1. Marco Polo & Ibn Battuta – The original travel legends. Imagine hearing firsthand how Polo navigated the Silk Road when every mile was unknown, or how Battuta spent 30 years crossing 44 modern countries without GPS or guidebooks. Their stories would redefine what we consider ‘adventure’ today.
2. Mustansar Hussain Tarar – Pakistan’s literary legend whose travelogue (“Niklay Teri Talash Mein” still gives me chills). His books were my childhood windows to the world. I’d thank him for proving that a boy from Punjab could dream of Samarkand and Sahara and then go chase them. His journeys taught me that exploration isn’t just about places, but the stories we bring home.
3. My Late Father, Muhammad Afzal Chauhdry – After losing him to cancer in 2002, I found two pristine, expired passports in his belongings, unused tickets to a world he never saw. This dinner would finally give him the journey he deserved: swapping tales with history’s greatest travelers. I’d tell him, ‘Abu, I carried your passports in my heart to places they never got to stamp.’
Around that table, we’d celebrate not just miles traveled, but the eternal human urge to discover, whether through Marco’s trade routes, Ibn Battuta’s pilgrimages, Tarar Sahab’s pen, or my father’s quiet, unrealized dreams.
