United States Consulate General Karachi, Pakistan
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Large Shia Procession on June 17, 2017 in Karachi
June 16, 2017
This message alerts U.S. citizens that the Shia Community will hold a large procession in observance of “Yom-e-Ali,” Saturday, June 17 in Karachi. The procession will start about 1:00 p.m. near Nishtar Park, and end about 7:30 p.m. at Imam Bargah Hussainiya Iranian in Kharadar. There have been violent incidents related to this procession in the past. U.S. Consulate personnel movements are restricted before and during this procession.
Due to the large number of expected participants, the U.S. Consulate in Karachi recommends that U.S. citizens remain vigilant of their surroundings at all times and carry appropriate identity documents when moving throughout the city, as there may be increased numbers of police checkpoints. It is also possible that cell phone connections will be disrupted throughout the day.
Even gatherings intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. You should avoid areas of the procession, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.
For Further Information:
• See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Worldwide Travel Alert, 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.
• 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. See also http://karachi.usconsulate.gov. You may also 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. See also http://islamabad.usembassy.gov.
• 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).
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