ISLAMABAD ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000008


FOR DS/OSAC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT APER ASEC
SUBJECT: ISLAMABAD ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY
COUNCIL (OSAC) CRIME AND SAFETY REPORTS

REF: 08 STATE 132056



1. Overall Crime and Safety Situation:

(U) Due to on-going concerns about the possibility of
terrorist activity directed against American citizens and
interests, the Department of State continues to advise U.S.
citizens to defer non-essential travel to Pakistan. Family
members of official Americans assigned to the Embassy in
Islamabad and to the three consulates in Pakistan were
ordered to leave the country in March 2002 and have not been
allowed to return. U.S. Consulate Peshawar instituted a
drawdown of non-essential personnel in November 2008.

(U) Continued U.S. military action in Afghanistan and Iraq
and ongoing Government of Pakistan efforts to curb an
extremist insurgency have all contributed to increased
Anti-American sentiment in Pakistan. Operations by the
Pakistani military against insurgents along the
Afghan-Pakistani border have resulted in a backlash of
terrorist actions directed against President Asif Ali
Zardari's government and its police force. As these
operations continue it is expected that reprisals will
increase in kind. Continued reporting from an array of
sources suggests numerous non-specific threats stemming from
the remnants of the Taliban, splinter cells of Al-Qaida, and
militants sympathetic to their cause.

(U) Overall criminal activity in Islamabad increased this
past calendar year. There are occasional reports from the
American community at large of residential break-ins. U.S.
Embassy personnel have on a few occasions reported that while
out in town, local individuals have made anti-American slurs
to them, though these incidents have yet to turn violent.
Islamabad is a city under development with a population of
one and a half million. As the city grows in size and
population, so does the crime rate. The neighboring city of
Rawalpindi with its population over three million, has a
higher rate of crime. As the Pakistani economy continues to
worsen and the shortage of energy, fuel and food grows, it is
anticipated that the rate of crime will increase across the
country.

(SBU) The roads in Islamabad and between major cities are
paved and adequate. However, in outlying areas the roads may
be unpaved. There are a high number of vehicle accidents in
Islamabad involving U.S. Embassy personnel. This is due to
Americans' inexperience of driving on the left side of the
road, poorly trained and unskilled local drivers as well as
local conditions such as pedestrians walking in the road
without looking for oncoming traffic. Driving at night
outside the city is not safe due to the large number of
individuals, carts, and cattle that travel along the unlit
roads.


2. Political Violence:

(U) Over the past 30 years there has been a history of
political violence in Pakistan of targeting U.S. and Western
interests as well as sectarian violence. In 1979 a mob of
demonstrators burned down the U.S. Embassy. There have been
attacks against U.S. diplomatic personnel in Pakistan with
the number increasing substantially in 2008. In 2002, a
suicide bomber attacked a Protestant International Church in
Islamabad a quarter of a mile from the U.S. Embassy killing
five people. In December 2007, former Prime Minister,
Benazir Bhutto, was killed during an attack in Rawalpindi
sparking protests and riots across the country. In January
2008, a suicide bomber on a motorcycle killed 26 (22 of whom
were police officers) and injured 70 in Lahore. In February
2008, a motorcycle suicide bomber crashed into a Pakistani
Armed Forces bus in Rawalpindi killing 11, injuring 45. In
March 2008, a car bomb destroyed the FIA building in Lahore,
killing 25. In March 2008, a satchel bomb detonated at a
restaurant in Islamabad killing 1 and injuring 4 U.S. Embassy
personnel. In June 2008, a suicide car bomb detonated at the
Danish Embassy. In July 2008, an explosion at the Melody
Market in Islamabad killed 20 and injured 40. In August
2008, over 50 people were killed when two suicide bombers
detonated themselves simultaneously at a Pakistan weapons
ordnance factory in Wah, near Rawalpindi. In August 2008,
the U.S. Principal Officer in Peshawar was the target of an
organized gun attack. In September 2008, over 50 people were
killed, including 3 U.S. Embassy employees and over 250 were
injured when a truck carrying over two thousand pounds of
explosives was detonated outside the Marriott Hotel in
Islamabad. In November 2008, an American working for a
non-government organization was shot and killed in Peshawar.

(U) There are significant threats to foreign interests in
Pakistan, both from entities aligned with or sympathetic to
the Taliban and Al-Qaida. All major western nations,
including the United States, have issued travel advisories
recommending against non-essential travel to Pakistan.

(U) The issue of spontaneous demonstrations is an ongoing
concern. In February 2006, 250 demonstrators forced their
way onto the diplomatic enclave and came within one kilometer
of the U.S. Embassy. The demonstrators were stopped by
police using tear gas. There were demonstrations of up to
10,000 people in Islamabad after Danish newspapers published
a cartoon depiction of the prophet Mohammed that many Muslims
viewed as anti-Islamic. In August 2006 anti-U.S./Israel
demonstrations occurred three to four times a week with
crowds of up to 5,000 after Israeli launched a military
operation into Lebanon. In 2008, demonstrators gathered
frequently to protest the removal of the judges. These
demonstrations, while mostly peaceful, can turn violent with
little or no warning. Another concern is the presence of
extremist militants within the otherwise peaceful crowd of
demonstrators.

(SBU) Quite often on Friday afternoons there are
demonstrations in Islamabad. Particularly in the G-6 area by
some of the local mosques and the Aabpara Market area. While
these are normally peaceful, the police are out in force to
control the situation because the potential for violence
always exists.


3. Post-Specific Concerns:

(U) Pakistan is subject to earthquakes in the north and west
regions of the country. A severe earthquake occurred on
October 8, 2005 and is responsible for an estimated death
toll of 87,000 persons. While the earthquake in 2005 was
felt throughout most of Pakistan, the northern frontier and
Kashmir regions of Pakistan sustained the greatest damage and
loss of life. Substantial aftershocks and landslides have
occurred in these areas. In October 2008, an earthquake
occurred in the Balochistan Province causing death and
destruction to the inhabitants of the area. Additionally,
the Indus River is prone to flooding after heavy rains
especially during the monsoon season of July and August.

(SBU) Industrial safety does not meet U.S. standards and
pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste in the water
and air is widespread. Air pollution, exacerbated in the
winter months is at levels which may cause severe irritation
and discomfort to individuals suffering from asthma or other
respiratory disorders.

(SBU) Public transportation and driving in Pakistan can be
extremely hazardous. Mission policy prohibits the use of
public transportation and taxis by post personnel for a
number of reasons. Vehicle maintenance, driver skills, and
general lack of road safety awareness by operators are all of
concern. Although there have been no incidences of
kidnapping of Americans or Westerners in Islamabad, reporting
from an array of sources has brought the threat onto the
radar. The Mission reminds its personnel that it is
paramount they continue their vigilance with regards to their
surroundings to ensure their personal security.


4. Police Response:

(SBU) The police services in Pakistan are below the
professional standards in the U.S. Lack of training,
resources and low salaries of police officers contribute to
the problem. Police response times in Islamabad are usually
within 15 minutes. The local police emergency numbers in
Islamabad are 920-3333 or 15. If there is a language
barrier, U.S. citizens can contact American Citizen Services
at the U.S. embassy via the main embassy switchboard at
92-51-208-0000. U.S. citizens may also use this number should
they be arrested or have any interaction with the police
which may require assistance.

(SBU) The government of Pakistan has taken measures to curb
the indigenous and transnational terrorist threat in
Pakistan, to include banning Islamic fundamentalist
literature and groups engaging in violent practices and
rhetoric. Furthermore, the government of Pakistan has
increased the security countermeasures and precautions taken
for high-level Government officials, diplomats, and areas
frequented by westerners.


5. Medical Emergencies:

(SBU) Emergency medical care in Pakistan is only available in
major cities. Most Pakistani hospitals possess limited
advanced life support equipment and are not up to US
standards. Travelers should arrange for medical evacuation
insurance personally or through their sponsoring agency prior
to arriving in Pakistan. The following is a list of hospitals
used by embassy personnel in the Islamabad area:

a. Shifa International Hospital
Sector H 8/4
Phone; 444-6801-32
Emergency Room: ext 3010/3090

(SBU) Shifa International is the preferred, well-equipped
western-style hospital with 24-hour emergency room staffing
located approximately 15 minutes from the U.S. Embassy. Many
of the physicians have been trained in the United States or
United Kingdom. Shifa International is a good resource for
general medical problems, but is limited in pediatric care.

b. Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) - Adult
Hospital
Sector G 8/3
Phone: 926-1170/1269; emergency extension: 2201/2
Hotline: 051-926-1268 (1269)

(SBU) PIMS is the best resource for pediatric emergencies and
disorders.

Medical Evacuations:

(SBU) Air ambulance information is offered only as a guide
and is not a recommendation of one service over another.
Travelers are encouraged to research the availability of
other air ambulance services and to make an informed choice
based on individual needs and requirements.

AAA Air Ambulance Anywhere - United States
phone: 727-934-3999 (for emergencies, call collect)
fax: 727-937-0276
toll free: 1-800-327-196

AEA International Alarm Centers - Singapore
phone: 65-6338-7800
Fax: 65-6338-7611
internet: www.internationalsos.com


6. Travel precautions:

(SBU) Situational awareness and common sense are imperative
for your personal safety. Avoid the appearance of carrying
large sums of money, dress conservatively and do not draw
attention to yourself. Avoid high-risk areas, crowds, and
civil disturbances. When traveling, do not be time and place
predictable. Varying your routes and departure/arrival times
is vital to your safety. If you feel that you are being
followed or threatened in any way, go immediately to a safe
place such as a government building that has police/security
forces. Maintaining a low profile is important. Avoid
wearing clothing that identifies you as an American.

(SBU) Whether you are driving or riding as a passenger, use
extreme caution, expect the unexpected, and drive
defensively. Road signs and traffic lights are often ignored.
Traffic lights at intersections are often out due to the
power shortage. Proceed through these intersections with
caution. Wear seat belts in front and rear seats, ensure
doors are locked, and insist that a safe speed is maintained.
Fire-fighting resources are lacking and it is advised that if
you stay in a high-rise hotel, try to keep to the lower
floors. With that being said, current Mission policy states
that all hotels in Islamabad are off limits to U.S. Embassy
personnel.

(SBU) Many Americans and Westerners employ private security
guard services for their residences and offices. They are
less trained than those in the U.S. The following
deficiencies are typical of such security services in
Pakistan: poor quality of personnel attributed to low wages,
little training, and limited supervision. What the
contracting firm fails to supply in the way of equipment, the
individual guard looks to the occupant to provide (i.e.
heater, fan, water, and even supplemental income). The major
contract security guard services in Pakistan area: SMS,
Phoenix Security Services, and Ashkari guards.


7. For further information:

Embassy contact information:

Embassy main switchboard: 011-92-51-208-0000

Regional Security Office - Islamabad: 011-92-51-208-2203


8. OSAC Country Council

RSO Islamabad briefs U.S. private sector personnel when
requested, although the establishment of a council for
Islamabad is currently in the planning stages.


PATTERSON