The American Embassy in Islamabad is seeing an increase in threat reporting regarding possible terrorist attacks against various locations, including the Marriott Hotels in Islamabad and Karachi, the Monal Restaurant in the Margalla Hills, and Kohsar Market in the F6 area of Islamabad. Employees of the American Embassy in Islamabad and the American Consulate in Karachi have been restricted from these areas at this time, which, in the case of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad includes the Aga Khan road immediately outside in front. In Karachi, employees are restricted from going to the Marriott and nearby locations on Abdullah Haroon Road such as the Sind Club. Remember that public areas where westerners gather are of concern and citizens are reminded to use caution in public. We remind U.S. citizens to review the Travel Warning and theCountry Specific Information for Pakistan, and to maintain vigilant personal security practices. U.S. government personnel may be under additional movement restrictions in coming weeks, including hotels, restaurants, and large shopping centers. U.S. citizens are reminded to minimize the number and duration of trips to public markets, restaurants, hotels, places of worship, and other locations where large numbers of people congregate. U.S. citizens should monitor Pakistani media reports regarding these and similar threats.
U.S. citizens are reminded that there is an active Travel Warning for Pakistan issued on April 7, 2016, and the Worldwide Caution, issued March 3, 2016. 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 enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), keep a trusted friend informed of your movements in country, maintain vigilant situational awareness, avoid large crowds, keep a low profile, and avoid visiting locations frequented by Westerners. U.S. citizens in Pakistan are strongly urged to avoid hotels that do not apply stringent security measures. Official U.S. Mission personnel and visitors are not allowed to use public transportation in Pakistan and are not authorized to stay overnight in hotels in Pakistan. U.S. citizens should exercise caution when traveling in the country, keeping in mind the high security threat level. Travelers are urged to vary their times and routes when traveling anywhere in Pakistan, and to avoid travel patterns to any such locations that might allow other persons to predict when and where they will be. U.S. citizens are further advised to verify that travel documents, visas, and residency documents remain valid and accessible at all times.
Consular services in Pakistan are available in Karachi and Islamabad. The consulates in Lahore and Peshawar are 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. 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 Islamabad.
- 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 Karachi.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or1-202-501-4444 from other countries from8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
- Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
