This Security Message alerts U.S. citizens that the cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are expecting several rallies and demonstrations from October 27, 2016, to November 2, 2016. These demonstrations could extend beyond November 2, and we are closely monitoring the potential impact of these demonstrations on embassy personnel and operations. We anticipate a heavy police presence throughout the cities and in the vicinity of the larger scheduled demonstrations. Duration and intensity of these demonstrations are unknown at this time. Many roads will be blocked or heavily congested. During previous similar events, there have been large-scale disruptions to cell-phone service, and we expect such disruptions during this period. United States government personnel will be under movement restrictions during this period. Please monitor local media for the latest information.
We recommend that U.S. citizens establish and maintain vigilant personal security practices. Even protests and demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. The American Mission to Pakistan urges U.S. citizens to avoid all areas where demonstrations and rallies are taking place, keep a low profile, and exercise extreme caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings. Take time to prepare yourself in order to maintain readiness to respond to a crisis.
*For updates on the operating status of the Consular Section, please visit our website, “like” Pakistan ACS on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
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 also is available 24 hours a day for emergencies involving U.S. citizens in other parts of Pakistan. See the Mission Pakistan website.
- 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. Also, see the Mission Pakistan website.
- Contact the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore, located at 50, Shahrah-e-Abdul Hameed Bin Badees, (Old Empress Road) near Shimla Hill Circle. The after-hours emergency assistance number for U.S. citizens is (92-42)3603-4000. Also, see the Mission Pakistan website.
- 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).
Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook.
