TRAVEL WARNING - PAKISTAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 123983

SIPDIS

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


1. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against non-
essential travel to Pakistan in light of the threat of
terrorist activity. This replaces the Travel Warning dated
October 1, 2008, and updates information on security
incidents, notes the temporary relocation of some employees
from the US Consulate in Peshawar to Islamabad, and reminds
U.S. citizens of ongoing security concerns in Pakistan.


2. The presence of Al-Qaida, Taliban elements, and
indigenous sectarian groups poses a potential danger to
American citizens, especially in the western border regions
of Pakistan. 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 have also been advised to restrict the
number and frequency of trips to public markets, and to
avoid public restaurants in Islamabad, Karachi, and
Peshawar.


3. On November 12, 2008, an American government contractor
and his driver in Peshawar were shot and killed in their
car. 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.


4. 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.


5. 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.


6. 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.

STATE 00123983 002 OF 002



7. The U.S. Consulate in Peshawar has temporarily relocated
some personnel to Islamabad while the Consulate evaluates
necessary security measures to operate under heightened
threat conditions. The Consulate remains open.


8. 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.


9. 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
registration website:
https://travelregistration.state.sgov.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).


10. 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.


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