INSTRUCTIONS TO DEFER FOR THE NEXT 72 HOURS NON-ESSENTIAL

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 005382 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR OPS CENTER, SCA EMBASSY ISLAMABAD REQUESTS THAT THIS MESSAGE RE RELEASED AS AN IMMEDIATE ALDAC TELEGRAM. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OTRA AMGT ASEC PK SUBJECT: INSTRUCTIONS TO DEFER FOR THE NEXT 72 HOURS NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TO PAKISTAN ¶1. AmEmbassy Islamabad requests all non-essential travel to Pakistan be deferred for the next 72 hrs (until 31 December, after 1800 HRS local time, or 0800 HRS Eastern Standard Time). This is a precautionary measure because, in the aftermath of the death of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, there are widespread traffic problems and protests along the roads between Pakistan's posts in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar and their respective airports. Given the current difficulties in reaching those airports, Pakistan's posts cannot provide the necessary support for airport arrivals and departures. ¶2. Mission Pakistan appreciates that some inbound travelers may be inconvenienced by the need to reschedule travel, but prudence dictates we adopt this precautionary measure. PATTERSON