From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Pakistan Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Fri, 7 Jun 1996 15:50:43 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1075 Path: world!root Message-ID: <960607155043_76702.1202_CHN50-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: root@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 207 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Pakistan ============================================================ Pakistan - Public Announcement January 10, 1996 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release On January 7, 1996, The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan released the following message to U.S. citizens: The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad is increasingly concerned about the danger of hostile activities directed towards U.S. citizens, facilities, and businesses in Pakistan. The U.S. Government urges all Americans in Pakistan to exercise Maximum security precautions. In addition, violence in Karachi remains at a high level with strikes, burning of vehicles, car bombings and random gunfire disrupting the normal functioning of the city. The March 8 and August 27 murders of three consulate employees remain unsolved. We urge Americans to follow all of the security guidelines previously issued. It is paramount that all Americans avoid predictable movements and continue to vary their schedules and routes. Be alert to any surveillance and unusual or inquisitive phone calls. Be wary of unexpected visitors or packages and any incidents perceived to be out of the ordinary. Vehicles should be inspected for signs of tampering and parked in secure, well-lit areas. We continue to advise that travel around Karachi be kept to a minimum and you should avoid crowds, protests, blockages in the streets or other suspicious-looking gathering or activity. American businesses should review their security posture and tighten access controls. Pakistan - Consular Information Sheet June 6, 1996 Country Description: Pakistan is a developing country with a parliamentary democracy. Tourist facilities are available in the principal population centers of the country. Entry Requirements: A passport and visa are required. The visa must be obtained from a Pakistani embassy or consulate before arrival at the point of entry. Information on entry requirements can be obtained from the Embassy of Pakistan, 2315 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20008, telephone (202) 939-6200. Travelers may also contact one of the consulates general of Pakistan, located at 12 East 65th St., New York, NY 10021, telephone (212) 879-5800, and 18050 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1100, Los Angeles, CA 90010, (310) 441-5114. Due to problems with inadmissible passengers, airlines may require travelers departing the U.S. to present multiple photographs and complete copies of passports and other travel documents. Areas of Instability: Rallies, demonstrations and processions occur from time to time throughout Pakistan on very short notice, and have occasionally taken on an anti-American or anti-Western character. Karachi, in particular, is experiencing protracted political violence, which although not anti-American, poses a danger to Americans. During the Islamic religious observances of Ramadan and Moharram, sectarian rivalry and violence often increase. Travel in the Northwest Frontier Province: Because of dangerous security conditions, caution is essential when traveling overland through the tribal areas to the Khyber Pass. Substantial areas within the Northwest Frontier are designated tribal areas and are outside the normal jurisdiction of government law enforcement authorities. Travel within these areas is particularly hazardous. Tribal feuds or conflicts between smuggling factions may involve foreigners. Even in the settled areas, ethnic, political, or sectarian violence may target foreigners. Car hijackings and the abduction of foreigners are occasionally reported from the tribal areas. If visitors must enter the tribal areas, a permit from the Home Department is required. The permit may stipulate that an armed escort must accompany the visitor. Travel in Punjab Province: In early 1996, there were a number of bombings of public places and buses in Punjab province. Additionally, grenades were thrown at the American center in Lahore and anti-American demonstrations were also held there. No U.S. citizens or employees were killed or injured in any of these incidents. While we have no specific information concerning the motives behind the attacks, U.S. citizens are advised to avoid public bus travel, bus stops, and crowded areas. Travel in Sindh Province: In the areas of Karachi and Hyderabad, there have been recurring outbreaks of ethnic and sectarian violence characterized by random bombings, shootings and mass demonstrations. These have resulted in deaths and the imposition of curfews. There have also been numerous incidents of kidnappings for ransom. In rural Sindh Province, the security situation is hazardous, especially in regard to overland travel. Foreigners have occasionally been kidnapped and, in one incident, the foreign kidnap victim was killed in a subsequent gunfight between police and bandits. The Pakistan government has recommended that travelers limit their movements in Sindh Province to the city of Karachi. If visitors must go into the interior of Sindh Province, the Pakistan government requests that travelers inform police authorities well in advance of the trip so that necessary police security arrangements can be made. Travel in Baluchistan Province: The province of Baluchistan, which borders both Iran and Afghanistan, is notorious for cross-border smuggling. Armed battles between clans are frequent. Due to a limited provincial police presence, travelers wishing to visit the interior of Baluchistan should consult with the province's Home Secretary. Advance permission from provincial authorities is required for travel into some areas. Travelers without permission have been detained by local authorities. While quieter than the interior, Quetta, the provincial capital, has experienced serious ethnic violence which has led to gun battles in the streets and the imposition of curfews. Information on Crime: Karachi suffers from a very high level of crime and an ineffective police force. This has been exacerbated by the sectarian and political violence, which has distracted the police and encouraged criminal gangs to increase their activities. Political violence, although not aimed at foreigners, includes assassinations of political leaders and random use of bombs. Violent criminal activity, such as carjacking, kidnapping, armed robbery, arson and other violence against civilians occurs frequently in many parts of the city. In recent months, this violence has become increasingly targeted against foreigners and has occurred in neighborhoods where foreigners reside. The police force itself has become a target for heavily armed gangs. Car thieves prefer to steal four-wheel drive vehicles, and drivers resisting the theft may be shot. The U.S. Consulate General encourages travelers to use hotel shuttles from the airport rather than taxis or hotel-provided vehicles. Similar carjacking incidents have been reported in Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. Petty crime, especially theft of personal property, is common throughout Pakistan. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets, "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to South Asia." They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Road Travel: Road travel in Pakistan is generally risky. Driving without experienced local drivers or guides is not recommended. For specific current information on road conditions along the Karakoram Highway, travelers may contact the Frontier Works Organization at 562918. Medical Facilities: Adequate medical care is available in major cities in Pakistan, but may be limited in rural areas. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate payment in cash for treatment. Supplemental health insurance which specifically covers overseas treatment has proven useful. Information on health problems can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559 or on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov. Drug Penalties: Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced. Long jail sentences are frequently imposed and large fines are assessed in some cases. Legislation passed in 1994 makes trafficking offenses punishable by death. Registration/Embassy Location: U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulates General in Karachi, Lahore or Peshawar may obtain updated information on travel and security in Pakistan. The U.S. Embassy is located in Islamabad, Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, telephone 92-51-826-161. The Consular Section is located separately in the USAID building, 18 Sixth Avenue, Ramna 5, telephone 92-51-824-071. -- In Karachi, the Consulate General is located at 8 Abdullah Haroon Road, telephone 92-21-568-5170 (after hours 568-1606). -- In Lahore, the U.S. Consulate General is located on Sharah-E-Abdul Hamid Bin Badees (50 Empress Road), New Simla Hills, telephone 92-42-636-5530. -- In Peshawar, the U.S. Consulate is located at 11 Hospital Road, Peshawar Cantonment telephone 92-521-279-801 or 802 or 803. The normal workweek in Pakistan is Sunday through Thursday. No. 96-110 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated December 8, 1994 to update information regarding areas of instability, to advise of violence related to travel in Sindh Province, to alert travelers to the incidence of crime in Karachi, and to provide information about road conditions. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories