Pakistan Travel Advice
activity, particularly northern and western Balochistan, including the Sui/DeraBugti and Kohlu areas, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, including Waziristan, Swat and Chitral (North West Frontier Province) and all border areas except for official crossing points.
Visitors are advised against all but essential travel to Quetta (Balochistan) and against using bus services in the whole of Balochistan because of the unsettled security situation.
Anyone intending to travel to Pakistan should follow the developing situation in the news media and consult travel advice regularly. Following the 18 February elections, the country is generally calm. However, travellers should avoid any demonstrations or large crowds of people.
Pakistani authorities believe there is currently a high risk of suicide attacks in the Islamabad / Rawalpindi area, targeting both Government and diplomatic interests.
There is a high threat from terrorism and sectarian violence throughout Pakistan. Attacks can be indiscriminate and in public places, including those frequented by foreigners. On 17 January 2008, a suicide bombing in the Kohati area of Peshawar killed at least 5 people. On 21 December 2007, at least 38 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack on a mosque near the city of Peshawar. On 17 December 2007, 12 soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber in Kohat cantonment. On 15 December 2007, five people were killed by suicide bomber on a bicycle in Nowshehra in the North West Frontier Province. On 4 December 2007, a female suicide bomber exploded a device at a military checkpoint in Peshawar. On 24 November, at least 15 people died in two suicide bomb attacks on military targets in Rawalpindi. On 30 October 2007, a suicide bomb attack at a police checkpoint in Rawalpindi killed at least 7 people. On 25 October 2007, a bomb attack on a military truck in Mingora, the main town in Swat, killed at least 17 soldiers and a number of civilians. On 19 October 2007, a bomb attack on a political procession welcoming Benazir Bhutto killed at least 135 in Karachi (Sindh). It is advised against all but essential travel to Quetta (Balochistan).
In July 2007, a bomb attack on a convoy carrying Chinese engineers at Hub (Balochistan/Sindh border) killed at least 22 people and a suicide bomb attack on a lawyers' rally in Islamabad killed at least 16 people. On 4 September 2007, two suicide attacks on a military bus and market in Rawalpindi killed at least 24 people. On 1 October 2007, a suicide bomber, wearing a woman's burka, killed at least 15 people in an attack on a police checkpoint in Bannu in the North West Frontier Province.
Since July 2007, there has been a number of bombings in Peshawar, apparently targeting official premises and personnel, and CD/DVD shops.
The Pakistani authorities have heightened security across the country due to threats of retaliatory attacks on government targets, particularly in the tribal areas. This follows military action carried out by the Pakistani security forces, between 3-11 July, against militant Islamists occupying the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) and associated seminary in central Islamabad.
Pakistan's railways have had a reasonable safety record, but visitors should be aware that there are risks associated with this mode of travel. On 19 December 2007, the Karachi-Lahore express train was derailed in the southern Sindh province killing 38 people and injuring 200 more. Travellers are also advised against using the rail network or bus services in the whole of Balochistan because of the unsettled security situation.
If in the country, it is advised to seek local advice on the latest situation from your country's high commission in Islamabad or Karachi.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisaions for the latest travel advice:
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk
US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel
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