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Pakistan


This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Terrorism section (British Government policy on concessions to hostage takers) and Health, Avian Influenza section (two cases of H5N1 discovered in Karachi). The overall level of this advice has not changed.
We advise against all travel to areas where there are reports of military or militant activity. This applies particularly to: northern and western Balochistan, including the Sui/Dera Bugti and Kohlu areas; the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, including Waziristan; Swat, North West Frontier Province (NWFP); and all border areas except for official crossing points. We also advise against using the rail network across the whole of Pakistan. See the Terrorism and Sectarian Violence and Local Travel sections of this advice for more details.


We advise against all but essential travel to Northern Sindh and Southern Punjab, which remain particularly unsettled since the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. We also advise against all but essential travel to Quetta (Balochistan) and we advise against using bus services in the whole of Balochistan because of the unsettled security situation. See the Terrorism & Sectarian Violence section of this advice for more details.


Political tensions related to parliamentary elections rescheduled for 18 February 2008 could give rise to an escalation of violence.You should avoid any demonstrations or large crowds of people. See the Safety and Security section of this advice for more details.


If you are intending to travel to Pakistan, you should follow the developing situation in the news media and consult FCO travel advice regularly. You may wish to seek local advice on the latest situation from the Security Section of the British High Commission in Islamabad or the British Deputy High Commission in Karachi.


There is a high threat from terrorism and sectarian violence throughout Pakistan. Since January 2007 there has been a series of attacks and suicide bombings targeted predominantly at the authorities but occasionally also at locations frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. There is currently believed to be a heightened threat to Westerners in major cities. See the Terrorism & Sectarian Violence section of this advice for more details.


Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Pakistan have resulted in a small number of human fatalities. See the Health (Avian Influenza) section of this advice and Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet for more details.


The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Pakistan in 2007 was to replace lost or stolen passports. However, assistance to victims of forced marriage or child abduction is also common. If you are concerned about either issue see: forced marriages and child abduction.


We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and ensure that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
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Kind regards,