Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) supporters are expected to begin nationwide protests beginning at approximately 2:00pm on Friday, February 3rd. The demonstrations are expected to last for several hours.
Expected locations for JuD protests in Islamabad
- The Aabpara Intersection in G-6/1
- The Islamabad Press Club in F-6/1
- The Red Mosque in G-6/1
- The Quba Mosque in I-8/4
Separately, Kashmir Solidarity Day, a Pakistani holiday, will be observed throughout Pakistan on Sunday, February 5th. The day is marked by processions, religious ceremonies, and protests. We expect an increased security presence in Islamabad throughout the day.
Expected locations for Kashmir Solidarity Day Events
- At 10:00am, protestors will form a human chain along Jinnah Avenue from the China Intersection to the Parade Area.
- At 2:00pm, JuD activists will hold a protest at the Aabpara Intersection located in G-6/1.
- At 3:00pm, there will be protests at the Islamabad Press Club in F-6/1.
Similar protests may occur in Karachi, Lahore, and throughout Pakistan. Many roads will be blocked or heavily congested. Even protests and demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. The American Mission to Pakistan urges U.S. citizens to avoid all areas where demonstrations and rallies are taking place, keep a low profile, and exercise extreme caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings. Take time to prepare yourself in order to maintain readiness to respond to a crisis and maintain vigilant personal security practices.
For Further Information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, the active Travel Warning for Pakistan, and Pakistan Country Specific Information.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- See the Mission Pakistan website.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, located at Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, +92 51 201 4000. (Calling within Pakistan, dial 051 201 4000.) This number also is available 24 hours a day for emergencies involving U.S. citizens in other parts of Pakistan.
- Contact the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, located at Plot No. 3-5, TPX Area, Mai Kolachi Road, Karachi, at +92 21 3527 5000. (Calling within Pakistan, dial 021 3527 5000.) This number is available 24 hours a day for emergencies involving U.S. citizens in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan.
- Contact the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore, located at 50, Shahrah-e-Abdul Hameed Bin Badees, (Old Empress Road) near Shimla Hill Circle. The after-hours emergency assistance number for U.S. citizens is (92-42)3603-4000.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
