Australian
Government
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Australian Government Advise to reconsider travel to Pakistan
Pakistan
This advice has been reviewed and
reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and on Safety and
Security: Terrorism (potential terrorist threat against western interests in
Peshawar). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
Summary
- We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Pakistan at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack and the unpredictable security situation.
- If you do decide to travel to Pakistan, you should exercise extreme caution. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
- Recent credible reporting indicates a potential terrorist threat against Western hotels in Islamabad.
- Security at the Australian High Commission in Islamabad is at a high level as a precautionary measure and the Government has, since May 2004, authorised the voluntary departure of the dependants of Australian High Commission staff in Islamabad.
- Recent reports suggest that terrorists are planning attacks against Western, including Australian, individuals and interests in Peshawar, but we emphasise that attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Pakistan.
- Following the suicide bombing on 2 March 2006 near the US Consulate and Marriott Hotel in Karachi, which killed four people including a US diplomat, the Government has advised Australian diplomatic and consular staff in Pakistan to exercise extra security vigilance. The suicide bombing in Karachi demonstrates that terrorist continue to target western interests.
- Large, sometimes violent, demonstrations and threats to western interests have occurred in Pakistan over the publication in some western countries of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed. Given their potential to turn violent, you should avoid any such demonstrations.
- We strongly advise you not to travel to the federally-administered tribal areas and areas adjacent to Pakistan's borders with Afghanistan and India (particularly near the Line of Control in Kashmir) due to security concerns.
- Given the unpredictable security situation and very high threat of terrorist activity we strongly recommend that you register your travel and contact details with us, so we can contact you in an emergency.
- Be a smart traveller. Before
heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
