TRAVEL WARNING - PAKISTAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 105140

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC PK
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - PAKISTAN


1. This Travel Warning updates information on security
incidents and reminds U.S. citizens of ongoing security
concerns in Pakistan. This Travel Warning supersedes the
Travel Warning dated August 7, 2008.


2. The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens
against non-essential travel to Pakistan in light of the
threat of terrorist activity.


3. The presence of Al-Qaida, Taliban elements and
indigenous sectarian groups poses a potential danger to
American citizens, especially in the western border
regions. Continuing tensions in the Middle East also
increase the possibility of violence against Westerners in
Pakistan. Terrorists and their sympathizers have
demonstrated their willingness and capability to attack
targets where Americans are known to congregate or visit,
such as hotels, clubs and restaurants, places of worship,
schools, or outdoor recreation events. U.S. Government
personnel are not permitted to stay at or frequent major
hotels in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar.
Government personnel also have been advised to restrict
the number and frequency of trips to public markets, and
to avoid public restaurants in Islamabad, Karachi, and
Peshawar.


4. In September 2008 over fifty people, including three
Americans, were killed and hundreds were injured when a
suicide bomber set off a truck filled with explosives
outside a major international hotel in Islamabad. In
August 2008 gunmen stopped and shot at the vehicle of an
American diplomat in Peshawar. In March 2008, a
restaurant frequented by westerners in Islamabad was
bombed, killing one patron and seriously injuring several
others, including four American diplomats. On March 2,
2006, an American diplomat, a Consulate employee, and
three others were killed when a suicide bomber detonated a
car packed with explosives alongside the U.S. Consulate
General in Karachi. Fifty-two others were wounded.


5. Sectarian and extremist violence has resulted in fatal
bomb attacks in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Peshawar,
Quetta, Lahore, and other Pakistani cities in 2006, 2007
and 2008. Since 2007, over 1,000 bombings have killed
more than 1,000 people throughout Pakistan and injured
many more. Some of the attacks have occurred outside
major hotels, in market areas and other locations
frequented by Americans. Other recent targets have
included restaurants, Pakistani government officials and
buildings, and international NGOs.


6. Rallies, demonstrations, and processions occur
regularly throughout Pakistan on very short notice. In
the aftermath of the December 2007 death of former Prime
Minister Benazir Bhutto, widespread rioting in Karachi led
to multiple deaths and injuries as well as widespread
property damage. Demonstrations have often taken on an
anti-American or anti-Western character, and Americans are
urged to avoid large gatherings.


7. In 2007 and 2008, several American citizens throughout
Pakistan were kidnapped for ransom or for personal
reasons. Kidnappings for ransom are particularly common
in some parts of Pakistan, such as the Northwest Frontier
Province and Sindh Province.


8. U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Pakistan
despite this Travel Warning are encouraged to register
with the Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulates in
Karachi, Lahore, or Peshawar. This registration can be
completed online through the Department of State's travel

STATE 00105140 002 OF 002


registration website:
https://travelregistration.state.gov. Alternatively,
Americans without Internet access should contact the
nearest Embassy or Consulate for information on
registering in person. Registration enables citizens to
obtain updated information on travel and security within
Pakistan via the emergency alert system (warden network).


9. Americans in country should take appropriate individual
precautions to ensure their safety and security. These
measures include maintaining good situational awareness,
avoiding crowds and demonstrations and keeping a low
profile. Americans should avoid setting patterns by
varying times and routes for all required travel.
Americans should ensure that their travel documents and
visas are valid at all times. Official Americans are
instructed to avoid use of public transportation and
restrict their use of personal vehicles in response to
security concerns.


10. The Pakistani military has been engaged in an active
campaign against militants in the Bajaur district of the
Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Access to
many areas of Pakistan, including the FATA along the
Afghan border, and the area adjacent to the Line of
Control (LOC) in the disputed territory of Kashmir, is
restricted by local government authorities for non-
Pakistanis. Travel to any restricted region requires
official permission by the Government of Pakistan.
Failure to obtain such permission in advance can result in
arrest and detention by Pakistani authorities. Due to
security concerns, the U.S. Government currently allows
only essential travel within the FATA by American
officials.



11. The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad is located at Diplomatic
Enclave, Ramna 5; telephone: (92-51) 208-0000; Consular
Section telephone: (92-51) 208-2700; fax: (92-51) 282-
2632; website: http://islamabad.usembassy.gov/.


12. The U.S. Consulate General in Karachi is located at 8
Abdullah Haroon Road; telephone: (92-21) 520-4200 or (92-
21) 520-4400 after hours; fax: (92-21) 568-0496; website:
http://karachi.usconsulate.gov/.


13. The U.S. Consulate in Lahore is located on 50 Sharah-
E-Abdul Hamid Bin Badees (Old Empress Road),near Shimla
Hill Rotary; tel:(92-42)603-4000 or (91-92)603-4250; fax:
(92-42) 603-4200; website: http://lahore.usconsulate.gov ;
email: amconsul@brain.net.pk.


14. The U.S. Consulate in Peshawar is located at 11
Hospital Road, Cantonment, Peshawar; telephone: (92-91)
526-8800; fax: (92-91) 528-4171; website: http://Peshawar.usconsulate.gov.


15. For the latest security information, Americans
traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's
Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the
Worldwide Caution and the Pakistan Country Specific
Information and Travel Warning can be found. Up-to-date
information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-
888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada,
or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a
regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are
available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday
through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).


16. Minimize considered.
RICE