This security message alerts U.S. citizens about planned demonstrations on Sunday, May 11 in various cities throughout Pakistan. It is likely these demonstrations will lead to road closures and cause significant travel delays along other major thoroughfares as regular traffic is rerouted. Airports could also be affected by road closures. These demonstrations have sometimes coincided with massive disruptions to cell-phone networks.
Avoid Demonstration Sites if Possible
We urge U.S. citizens to avoid demonstration sites during this period. If travel is unavoidable, U.S. citizens should expect significant delays when traveling through these areas and perhaps along highways linking cities. U.S. citizens living in Pakistan are advised to monitor the situation via the local media, stay clear of all published procession routes and demonstration areas, keep a low profile, exercise caution, and avoid large gatherings.
Exercise Caution
Additionally, we wish to remind citizens of the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests in Pakistan. Such attacks could employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, vehicle-borne explosive attacks, improvised explosive device attacks, hijackings, and kidnappings. Examples of such targets have included high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, cafés, places of worship, schools, public areas, shopping malls, and other areas frequented by westerners. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as appropriate.
Updated Information on Travel and Security
Updated information on travel and security in Pakistan may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). For further information, please consult the Travel Warning for Pakistan and the Country Specific Information for Pakistan, as well as the Worldwide Caution. You can also stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which also contains current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.
U.S. citizens traveling to or living in Pakistan are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements and can also help your family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency. U.S. citizens without Internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
To view emergency services to U.S. citizens in the different consular districts, please click on the links below:
Contact Information for All U.S. Mission to Pakistan Posts
The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad is located at Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5; telephone (92-51) 208-0000; Consular Section telephone (92-51) 208-2700; fax (92-51) 282-2632; website; e-mail address: ACSIslamabad@state.gov
The U.S. Consulate General Karachi, located at Plot No 3-5, TPX Area, Mai Kolachi Road, Karachi, provides services to U.S. citizens by appointment only. Services can be scheduled by calling (92-21) 3527-5000 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Monday-Friday; fax (92-21) 3527-5885; website; e-mail: ACSKarachi@state.gov.
The U.S. Consulate General in Lahore is located at 50 Sharah-E-Abdul Hameed Bin Badees, (Old Empress Road) near Shimla Hill Rotary. Consular operations in Lahore have been temporarily suspended. Please direct any inquiries to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad or the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi.
