The U.S. Consulate General Lahore informs U.S. citizens that demonstrations continue to take place throughout Lahore. These protests are an ongoing response to official Pakistani government action being taken to disperse the Islamabad/Rawalpindi-based protests. Some of the confrontations between protestors and police have become violent. All U.S. government employee movements have been canceled today to avoid protests and road closures. We urge U.S. citizens to avoid areas where protestors are present.
Protestors have blocked the main arteries throughout the city, making vehicle movements lengthy or impossible. Known areas where protestors have blocked traffic include but are not limited to: Faisal Chowk, Shahdara More, Thokar Niaz Beg (Baig), Bhatta Chowk, Timber Market, Shah Alami Chowk, Ghulistan Chowk, Shahdewal Chowk, and Mall Road. Additional protests are likely to pop up or be cleared by Pakistani authorities with limited or no notice.
U.S. citizens should carry appropriate identity documents when in Pakistan and should cooperate with police and security forces in any encournter. It is possible the cell phone connections and media broadcasts may be disrupted during periods of unrest.
U.S. citizens are reminded that there is an active Travel Warning (http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/pakistan-travel-warning.html) for Pakistan issued on May 22, 2017. U.S. citizens are urged to defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan. The Mission reminds those U.S. citizens considering travel to or remaining in Pakistan despite this warning to:
* keep a trusted friend informed of your movements in country
* maintain vigilant situational awareness and keep a low profile
* avoid large crowds, locations frequented by Westerners, and hotels that do not apply stringent security measures
* vary your times and routes when traveling in Pakistan
* verify that travel documents, visas, and residency documents remain valid and accessible at all times
Consular services in Pakistan are available in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. The consulate in Peshawar is not providing consular services at this time.
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 Lahore, located at 50 Shahrah-E-Abdul Hameed Bin Badees (Old Empress Road), at +92 42 3603 4000. (Calling within Pakistan, dial 042 3603 4000.) This number is available 24 hours a day for emergencies involving U.S. citizens in the province of Punjab south of the Jehlum River and the district of Bhakkar. See also Consulate General Lahore’s section on the Mission Pakistan webpage.
* 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 Consulate General Karachi’s section on the Mission Pakistan webpage.
· 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 all other parts of Pakistan. See also the Embassy’s webpage.
· Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
