The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens that on Friday, December 1, 2017, we expect large processions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi in celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, Eid Milad-Un-Nabi.
In Islamabad, we anticipate a procession of 5,000 – 7,000 participants will begin at 10 a.m. at the Central Police Ground in Sector G-7. It will end at approximately 5 p.m. at Shrine of Skahi Mehmood, Aabpara after covering a route that will include Jamia Mosque Al Raza and Jamia Mosque Al-Habib in Sector G-7/3, the Lal Quarter and Imam Bargah in Sector G-6/2, the CDA Hospital, Melody, and the Red Mosque.
In Rawalpindi, we expect a procession of 15,000 – 20,000 participants will begin at 10 a.m. at Jamia Masjid Road. It will end at Fawara Chowk in Raja Bazar after covering a route that will include Banni Chowk, Murree Road, Kohat Bazaar, Committee Chowk, and Iqbal Chowk.
U.S. citizens should avoid procession areas due to the potential for large crowds and traffic congestion and sudden changes in security; U.S. Embassy in Islamabad will restrict its staff movements accordingly. U.S. citizens are reminded to expect traffic delays, increased number of people in public areas, and unplanned disruptions in transportation. You should exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings.
The Embassy will be closed in observance of the holiday; U.S. citizens in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Embassy as described below.
For further information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Worldwide Travel Alert, the active Travel Warningfor 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. Embassy in Islamabad, located at Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, +92 51 201 4000. (Calling within Pakistan, dial 051 201 4000.) This number is also 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 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.
- Contact the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar, located at 11 Hospital Road, Peshawar Cantonment, at +92 91 526 8800. (Calling within Pakistan, dial 091 526 8800.) This number is available 24 hours a day for emergencies involving U.S. citizens in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
- 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).
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