This message alerts U.S. citizens that religious and political parties and groups have announced plans to protest on September 8 the treatment of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. These groups have declared that they will attempt to march to protest in front of the Embassy of Myanmar. Pakistani officials plan to seal the Red Zone in Islamabad in order to protect the Diplomatic Enclave. These events have prompted additional limitations on the movements of U.S. government personnel in Pakistan.
The U.S. Mission in Pakistan recommends that U.S. citizens in Pakistan avoid demonstrations and other large crowds and remain vigilant about their surroundings at all times. Even gatherings intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. U.S. citizens should carry appropriate identity documents when in Pakistan and should cooperate with police and security forces in any encounter. Cellphone connections may be disrupted during periods of unrest.
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. 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.
- 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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