American Embassy Islamabad
February 17, 2017
Over the past few days, terrorist attacks have occurred across Pakistan. As a result, Pakistani security forces have increased security measures nationwide. Media reports indicate that police are on high alert and are particularly concerned about security around market areas, malls, and hotels.
U.S. government personnel may be under additional movement restrictions, including hotels, restaurants, and large shopping centers, especially those popular with westerners. 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.
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 and maintain vigilant personal security practices.
U.S. citizens are reminded that there is an active Travel Warning for Pakistan issued on October 7, 2016. U.S. citizens are urged to defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan.
For Further Information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, 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.
- See the Mission Pakistan website.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
- Follow Pakistan ACS on Twitter and Facebook.
