Car hire in Pakistan - Safety and Security

Book car rentals in Pakistan now!

Safety and Security

SAFETY AND SECURITY/AREAS OF INSTABILITY: Sectarian and separatist terrorists within Pakistan continue to target American and other Western interests, as well as those of certain indigenous groups. Bombings and assassinations continue to occur throughout Pakistan. For example, two Americans were killed and several more were injured in a bombing at an Islamabad church frequented by Westerners on March 17, 2002 and an American news reporter was kidnapped and killed in Karachi in January 2002. The U.S. Consulate General in Karachi sustained attacks in June 2002 and February 2003. There is evidence of a potential threat to American citizens and other westerners in Pakistan from terrorists posing as street vendors or beggars on busy streets. Americans are urged to avoid congested areas where these individuals could approach their vehicles. Rallies, demonstrations and processions occur from time to time throughout Pakistan on very short notice and have often taken on an anti-American or anti-Western character. Karachi and the southern parts of Punjab province have experienced protracted political or sectarian violence that poses a potential danger to American travelers. During the Islamic religious observance of Moharram, sectarian rivalry and violence often increase. Family feuds are frequently fatal and may be followed by retaliation. Women do not walk out alone and it is not wise to travel in the streets late at night. Travelers to Pakistan should attempt to maintain a low profile, blend in, and seek security in the traveler's family or sponsoring organization.

Updated information on travel and security in Pakistan may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and from overseas, 1-317-472-2328. For the latest security information, Americans abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings including the current warning for Pakistan, and Public Announcements can be found.

Northern Areas - Visitors wishing to trek in Gilgit, Hunza, Chitral and the upper Swat valley should use only licensed guides and tourist agencies. There have been occasional assaults.

Northwest Frontier Province - The Government of Pakistan requires all citizens of countries other than Pakistan and Afghanistan to obtain permission from the Home and Tribal Affairs Department prior to visiting these tribal areas, which lie outside the normal jurisdiction of the Government of Pakistan. Substantial areas within the Northwest Frontier Province are designated tribal areas and are outside the normal jurisdiction of government law enforcement authorities. If visitors must enter the tribal areas, a permit from the Home and Tribal Affairs Department is required. The permit may stipulate that an armed escort must accompany the visitor. Even in the settled areas of the Northwest Frontier Province, there is occasional ethnic, sectarian, and political violence as well as anti-foreign rhetoric; foreigners should avoid demonstrations and areas in which violence is known to occur.

Kashmir: Military operations continue along the Line of Control in Kashmir and military exchanges between Pakistani and Indian forces often result in deaths and injuries on both sides. A number of militant and terrorist groups, some of which are anti-American and have attacked Americans and other Westerners, are active in the area. Many areas are restricted. Americans planning travel in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir should contact the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad prior to travel in the area and ensure that they have taken appropriate security precautions. However, we recommend that Americans particularly defer travel to Kashmir and the Pakistan/India border areas at this time. The Wagah border crossing into India near Lahore remains open (from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm) for travel to and from India if the passport holder has a valid visa for both countries. Travelers are advised to confirm the current status of the border crossing prior to commencing travel.

Punjab Province - Sectarian violence decreased considerably in recent years, although there continue to be isolated attacks on places of worship of all faiths. Christian churches, particularly in Punjab, have been targeted; two Americans were killed and several more were injured in a bombing at an Islamabad church frequented by Westerners on March 17, 2002, 3 people were killed in Daska on Christmas Day, 2002, and 17 were killed in Bahawalpur in October, 2001. As a precaution against possible dangers resulting from sectarian violence, U.S. citizens are cautioned to avoid public transportation and crowded areas.

Sindh Province - In the areas of Karachi and Hyderabad there has been recurring violence characterized by random bombings and shootings as well as several incidents of kidnapping for ransom. Americans and other Westerners continue to be the target of violence. In January 2002, a U.S. news reporter was kidnapped and murdered. Karachi has been the site of several recent high-profile terrorist attacks, including a car-bomb attack against a bus near the Sheraton Hotel in May 2002, and another car-bomb attack against the U.S. Consulate General in June 2002. In February 2003, the Consulate General was attacked by a lone gunman wielding an AK-47. In May 2003,Pakistani security disrupted terrorist plans to launch an aerial attack on the U.S. Consulate in Karachi. Additionally, there have been many protests against U.S. foreign policy. In several instances, crowds at these protests reached approximately 100,000 people. Due to security concerns, the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi closed its public operations indefinitely. See Section on Registration/Embassy and Consulate Location regarding how to contact that office for emergency assistance.

In rural Sindh Province, the security situation is hazardous, especially overland travel. The Government of Pakistan recommends that travelers limit their movements in Sindh Province to the city of Karachi. If visitors must go into the interior of Sindh Province, the Government of Pakistan requests that travelers inform police authorities well in advance of the trip so that necessary police security arrangements can be made.

Baluchistan Province - The province of Baluchistan, which borders both Iran and Afghanistan, is notorious for cross-border smuggling and has more recently been infiltrated by former members of the Taliban and Al Qaida operatives. Armed battles between clans are frequent. Because the provincial police presence is limited, 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. Local authorities have detained travelers who lack permission. Quetta, the provincial capital, has experienced serious ethnic violence that has led to gun battles in the streets and the imposition of curfews.

Returning Americans of Afghan origin are sometimes targets for harassment or extortion by the local populace and even by police, local immigration and customs officials, especially if they do not have a well-established family structure in Pakistan.