Location: Karachi
Event: As the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebration approaches, we remind U.S. citizens the holiday is often associated with an increase in traffic restrictions, increased vehicular/pedestrian traffic, and a large security presence throughout Karachi. In addition, the custom of local “celebratory gunfire” to ring in the New Year takes place in and around the city. Multiple individuals are injured in accidents related to this practice every year. The Government of Sindh has also placed restrictions on gatherings of five or more people after 9:00 p.m. to minimize risks of these activities.
U.S. government personnel in Karachi are required to remain indoors between the hours of 11:00 p.m. on December 31, 2021, and 4:00 a.m. on January 1, 2022, to limit exposure to celebratory gunfire.
Actions to Take:
- Consider following the above guidance.
- Avoid large crowds.
- Maintain a low profile.
- Exercise additional vigilance at holiday events and locations with large crowds.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Practice good personal security.
- Carry proper identification, including photocopies of the biographic page of your U.S. passport and current Pakistani visa or your original National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP).
Assistance:
U.S. Consulate General, Karachi
+(92) (21) 3527 5000
ACSKarachi@state.gov
U.S. Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan
+(92) (51) 201-4000
ACSIslamabad@state.gov
https://pk.usembassy.gov
U.S. Consulate General, Lahore
+(92) (42) 3603 4000
ACSLahore@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General, Peshawar
+(92) (91) 526 8800
ACSIslamabad@state.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs
+(1) 888-407-4747 or +(1) 202-501-4444
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