This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Terrorism (information regarding the potential targeting of foreign relief workers in Pakistan).The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Pakistan at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack and volatile and unpredictable security situation. Ask yourself whether, given your own personal circumstances, you are comfortable travelling to Pakistan knowing that you may be caught up in a terrorist attack. Ask yourself whether travel could be deferred or an alternative destination chosen. If, having considered these issues, you do decide to travel to Pakistan, you should exercise extreme caution. If you are in Pakistan and concerned for your safety, you should consider leaving if it is safe to do so.

Impact of Floods: On 26 August 2010, a US Government official said that he was aware of information regarding the potential targeting of foreign relief workers in Pakistan. Large numbers of foreign aid and humanitarian workers are expected to be deployed to flood-affected areas in the coming weeks. Humanitarian workers and foreign aid agencies have been attacked by militants in the past. On 10 March 2010, the office of an international aid agency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was attacked. On 5 October 2009, the office of a UN humanitarian agency was bombed. A number of humanitarian workers were killed in these attacks. In addition, on 12 November 2008, a US aid worker was killed by militants in Peshawar. Further attacks on humanitarian workers and aid agencies are possible.

We continue to receive a stream of credible reports indicating that terrorists are in the advanced stages of planning attacks against a range of targets, including in Pakistani cities. A number of recent attacks against religious targets in Lahore have resulted in large-scale civilian casualties and demonstrates the willingness of terrorists to inflict indiscriminate civilian casualties in public locations not associated with the Pakistani Government. Lahore has experienced over 16 terrorist attacks since 2008.

Recent attacks have also focused on Pakistani Government targets, particularly security and military personnel and institutions. However, targets could include diplomatic missions and other premises in the diplomatic enclave, international hotels including the Serena Hotel, clubs, religious sites and places of worship, shopping centres or shopping areas, banks, or educational facilities including universities, international schools and school buses. These attacks could include Western and Australian interests and individuals. Attacks could occur at anytime, anywhere in Pakistan. The Pakistani authorities have increased security throughout the country due to the high level of threat. See the list of possible terrorist targets below. Be aware that terrorists may have different national backgrounds, and may be from Western countries.

Pakistani militants may be planning attacks against foreign flagged airliners departing Pakistan. According to press reports, in June 2010 Pakistani officials warned that terrorists plan to attack foreign airlines, including Emirates and Saudi Airlines, at Karachi and Lahore airports.

In March 2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested that diplomatic missions in Islamabad take “extra precautionary measures”, and advised that Pakistani security agencies had been instructed to step up security measures. This has resulted in an increased number of checkpoints and security personnel in Islamabad. The Pakistani Government has issued similar warnings periodically since 2008.

Many terrorist attacks in Pakistan have involved multiple, consecutive explosions.

Credible reports indicate terrorists continue to plan retaliatory attacks in response to ongoing Pakistan military operations. Potential targets include Pakistani government and foreign interests throughout the country.
Recent mass casualty incidents include:

• On 9 July 2010 a bomb attack in Yaka Ghund in the Mohmand agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas killed more than 100 people and injured almost 100.
• On 1 July 2010 a suicide bombing of a Sufi place of worship in Lahore killed at least 40 people and injured more than 170.
• On 28 May 2010 attacks on two Ahmadi places of worship in Lahore killed almost 100 people and injured over 100 more.
• On 5 April 2010, an attack was carried out on the US Consulate in Peshawar. 43 people were killed in attacks in the Swat Valley on the same day.
• On 12 March 2010, two attacks in Lahore killed more than 50 people and injured 95. This follows a bomb blast in the Model Town area of Lahore on 8 March 2010, which killed at least 11 people and injured 60.
• On 10 March 2010, an attack was carried out on World Vision in Mansehra District (north of Islamabad), killing six staff members and injuring seven. World Vision’s operations in Pakistan have been suspended indefinitely.
• In December 2009 a series of bomb blasts in a crowded market in Lahore killed 54 people and injured 150 others.
• In October 2009, a car bomb exploded at a busy market in Peshawar. More than 90 people, including women and children, were killed and at least 200 others were injured.
• In October 2009, militants attacked the Pakistani Army General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. Twenty people, including nine military personnel, were killed.
• Also in October 2009, a bomb exploded at the UN World Food Program offices in Islamabad. At least five people were killed and several others were injured.
• In June 2009, a bomb exploded at the Pearl Continental hotel in Peshawar, killing at least 11 people and injuring 46 others.
• In May 2009, a suicide car bomb exploded outside the Rescue 15 Building, Main Mall Road, Lahore near the police headquarters and close to an office of the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence agency, killing at least 23 people and injuring 250 others.
• In March 2009, a convoy carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team and their security escort was attacked in central Lahore. Five police officers were killed and several people were injured.
• In September 2008, over 50 people were killed and hundreds of others injured when a truck bomb exploded outside the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad.

These attacks underscore the very high threat of terrorism in Pakistan. Further attacks are likely.

Terrorist targets: Terrorist attacks can occur anywhere at any time in Pakistan. Cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, and Quetta have been targeted. Attacks in these areas have increased in recent months.

In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided at venues. Possible targets include crowded locations likely to result in a large number of casualties, places frequented by foreigners, clubs, restaurants, fast food outlets, embassies, high commissions and other diplomatic interests, educational facilities including universities, and international schools, international hotels, expatriate housing compounds, places of worship, such as mosques and churches, shopping centres, banks, markets, bazaars and supermarkets, airports (including foreign flagged airliners), compact disc and video shops, convention centres, outdoor recreation events, tourist areas and other crowded places, identifiably Western interests, premises and symbols, including businesses and non-government organisations (NGOs).

Premises and symbols associated with the Pakistani Government and security forces are frequent targets for attacks. Judicial buildings, such as courts, public transport and transport infrastructure, including trains and airports have been attacked, along with military and police personnel and interests, including police stations and checkpoints. Further attacks are likely.

Militants may mount attacks in the lead-up to and on occasions of national or commemorative significance, such as Pakistan National Day (23 March), the storming of the Red Mosque in Islamabad by government troops (July 2007) and Independence Day (14 August).

Kidnapping: Foreigners have been kidnapped in Pakistan, including the Afghan Ambassador-designate, the Iranian consul, Chinese and Polish engineers, a French tourist, an American senior UNHCR official, and a British child.

Kidnapping and assassination of foreigners remains a threat throughout the country, in particular in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (formerly the North West Frontier Province) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

An aid worker and a security guard were shot dead while resisting kidnappers on the outskirts of Peshawar in July 2009. In November 2008, an American contractor and his driver were shot and killed in their car, also in Peshawar.

Advice to High Commission staff: Security at the Australian High Commission in Islamabad is at a high level. The Australian Government has a “no children at post” policy for Islamabad and has authorised the voluntary departure of the dependants of Australian High Commission staff.

Security at the High Commission is being further strengthened. Staff at the High Commission have been advised to minimise their use of restaurants and international hotels and exercise increased vigilance and security awareness. Staff have also been advised to minimise visits to shopping areas and avoid walking in Islamabad.

Staff at the Australian High Commission have also been advised to minimise their travel on Constitution Avenue in Islamabad due to the high concentration of potential terrorist targets.

The Australian Consulates in Karachi and Lahore have been closed until further notice for security reasons.

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

Impact of Floods: Due to the magnitude of destruction to infrastructure and private property caused by floods, and current shortages of basic necessities, affected areas could be subject to an increased risk of civil unrest and breakdown in law and order. See under Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate for details of areas affected by floods.

The security situation in Pakistan remains volatile, unpredictable and could deteriorate unexpectedly. Australians could be caught up in violent unrest. You are responsible for ensuring you are able to depart Pakistan and that your travel documentation remains up-to-date.

Demonstrations and rallies: Regular demonstrations, rallies and large public gatherings should be expected and may turn violent. We strongly urge you to avoid all such events as you could be caught up in violence or attacks directed at others. If you are in an area affected by demonstrations, you should find a safe location, remain indoors and heed local advice. You should closely monitor local information sources for details about possible safety and security risks.

International events and political developments in the region may prompt large demonstrations in Pakistan.

Sectarian violence: Sectarian violence is also common in many parts of Pakistan, particularly in Karachi, Kurram Agency, Sindh and Baluchistan.

Australians should be vigilant, particularly during religious festivals and days of religious significance as militants have in the past used such occasions to mount attacks and the likelihood of attacks may increase. In the past, ceremonies held during the Islamic month of Muharram, religious rallies and celebrations have been marred by violence. Large gatherings, such as processions, and places of worship, including mosques and churches, may be targeted. Retaliation is common and has resulted in further deaths. We strongly recommend you stay away from these events and locations at these times.

Border regions: We advise you not to travel to the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas due to security concerns and ongoing Pakistani military operations. If you are in these areas, you should consider leaving.

With the exception of the official border crossings, which all are currently open, foreigners are prohibited from travelling within 50 kilometres of the border with Afghanistan in the Northern Areas and within 15 kilometres of international borders and the Kashmir Line of Control.

Baluchistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (formerly the North-West Frontier Province): We advise you not to travel to Baluchistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa due to high levels of civil unrest and the volatile security environment. If you are in Baluchistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (including Swat) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and borders with Afghanistan and India, you should consider leaving.

Attacks against government, security and military interests in Baluchistan are likely, as are attacks against oil, natural gas, power and communications infrastructure and transport, including the railway network.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

Severe flooding has inundated an extensive area in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh. Millions of people have been displaced and more than 1,450 people have been killed. Widespread damage to infrastructure and communication links has been reported. Pakistan Government reports indicate that one million homes have been damaged or destroyed. Further heavy rainfall and flooding is possible. The Pakistan Meteorological Department website (www.pakmet.com.pk) has information on local weather conditions.

Due to the extent of flooding, there is an increased threat of waterborne disease. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported a sharp increase in suspected malaria infections, and hundreds of thousands of cases of acute watery diarrhoea, skin infections, respiratory tract infections and other infections. It is likely that essential services will be stretched in the aftermath of these floods. In the light of the higher risk of waterborne disease and lack of essential services, you should carefully consider your need to enter areas affected by flooding. You should seek advice from local authorities on travelling conditions before attempting to do so. If you are in an area affected by flooding you should consider leaving.

During the monsoon season (July to September), flooding and landslides can occur with little warning throughout the country. In the past, floods have affected millions of people, resulting in many deaths. During these periods, fresh drinking water and food can be in short supply. The high risk of contracting a water-borne disease continues after the floods recede. Services and transport are often affected.

Cyclones can occur in coastal areas of Pakistan. See our Severe Weather: Hurricanes, Cyclones and Typhoons travel bulletin.

Pakistan is in an active seismic zone and is subject to earthquakes.

All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.

Some mountainous areas of Pakistan are subject to winter avalanches.

Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Crime

Violent crime, including armed robbery, carjacking and kidnapping, occurs in many parts of Pakistan, particularly in Karachi. You should drive with the doors locked and windows up.

Pick-pocketing and petty theft is common.

Local Travel

Impact of Floods: Severe flooding has caused widespread damage to transport infrastructure across Pakistan. You should carefully consider your need to enter areas affected by flooding. You should seek advice from local authorities on travelling conditions before attempting to do so. See under Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate for further information.

The security situation in Pakistan is uncertain and could deteriorate at any time. Contact your travel agent and airline regarding temporary disruptions or suspension of transport services.

Road accidents are a common cause of death and injury. Road conditions and driving standards are poor, requiring extreme caution to be exercised all times. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.

Avoid travel after dark and the use of public transport, including buses, trains and taxis, due to the security risk.

Airline Safety

Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.

Wildlife

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas. Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure.

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Pakistan, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Penalties for drug offences are severe in Pakistan and include the death penalty. Possession of even small quantities of "soft drugs" for recreational purposes can result in lengthy jail sentences, large fines and deportation.

The death penalty may be imposed for crimes including murder, rape, blasphemy and unlawful assembly.

Homosexuality is illegal. The act of sodomy is illegal in Pakistan and penalties include life imprisonment.

It is illegal for unmarried heterosexual couples to live together.

Although rare, corporal punishment may be imposed for some offences including robbery, public drunkenness and consumption of alcohol by a Muslim.

Importing alcohol and pork products is illegal in Pakistan.

You are advised not to take photographs of airports or military and government buildings and installations.

Attempting to convert a Muslim or encouraging a Muslim to abandon their religion is illegal.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Local Customs

There are strong Islamic codes of dress and behaviour in Pakistan. You should take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.

Wearing short-sleeved garments and shorts should be avoided, as should physical contact between men and women in public. Women may be targets of harassment, particularly if they are unaccompanied.

During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims. See our Ramadan 2010 Travel Bulletin for further information.

Information for Dual Nationals

Pakistan does not recognise dual nationality. If you or your father were born in Pakistan, you may be considered by authorities to be a Pakistani national even if you do not hold a Pakistani passport. This may limit the ability of the Australian Government to provide you with consular assistance if you are arrested or detained.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy, High Commission or Consulate of Pakistan for the most up-to-date information.

If you are arriving from or have transited a country infected with yellow fever, you may be required to present a valid yellow fever certificate to be granted entry into Pakistan.

Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.

Health Issues

Impact of Floods: The WHO has reported a sharp increase in suspected malaria infections and hundreds of thousands of cases of skin infections, acute watery diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections following widespread flooding in Pakistan. See under Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate for further details on floods.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world and resulted in fatalities in Pakistan. The WHO provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

The standard of medical facilities and care in Pakistan is generally limited, with the exception of a select number of clinics and hospitals in major cities which approach Western standards. In most towns, as well as rural and remote areas, medical facilities are extremely limited. Hospitals in Pakistan usually require up-front payment, confirmation of insurance cover or guarantee of payment prior to admission. In the case of a serious illness or accident, a medical evacuation to Australia or a similar destination would be considered necessary. Depending on the immediacy, severity and circumstances of the case, a medivac could cost $A100,000.

Malaria is common in Pakistan, except in areas above 2000m. Chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistant strains are reported. Other insect-borne diseases (including Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis) are present in Pakistan with outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling, taking the appropriate prophylaxis against malaria when necessary and taking measures to avoid insect bites, including using an insect repellent.

Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, tuberculosis, measles and polio) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and uncooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

Avoid temporary 'black henna' tattoos as they often contain a dye which can cause serious skin reactions. For further information see the Australasian College of Dermatologists' website.

Avian influenza: The WHO has confirmed a human death from avian influenza in Pakistan. The Department of Health and Ageing advises Australians who reside in Pakistan for an extended period to consider, as a precautionary measure, having access to influenza antiviral medicine for treatment. Long term residents are at a greater risk of exposure to avian influenza over time. You should seek medical advice before taking antiviral medicines. Australians intending to travel to Pakistan for shorter periods are at much lower risk of infection but should discuss the risk of avian influenza with their doctor as part of their routine pre-travel health checks.

If the avian influenza virus mutates to a form where efficient human-to-human transmission occurs, it may spread quickly and local authorities could move quickly to impose restrictions on travel. Australian travellers and long-term residents in Pakistan should be prepared to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being, including deciding when to leave an affected area and ensuring they have appropriate contingency plans in place. Australians in Pakistan should monitor the travel advice and bulletin for updated information and advice, and ensure that their travel documents, including passports and visas for any non-Australian family members, are up to date in case they need to depart at short notice.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world, including Pakistan. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website.

Where to Get Help

The Australian High Commission in Islamabad may close temporarily to the public at short notice should concerns arise about security in the vicinity of the High Commission. You should telephone ahead before going to the High Commission. If you require emergency consular assistance, you should first telephone the High Commission or the Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra.

Access to the diplomatic zone in Islamabad, where the High Commission is located, has been restricted by the Pakistani Government for security reasons. Access to the High Commission is on foot from the UN Boulevard entrance to the enclave on Constitution Avenue, or via bus from the National Convention Centre at the corner of Constitution Avenue and Shahrah-E-Kashmir Road. An office in the car park of the Convention Centre has been set up to sell tickets and direct customers to the bus.

You can obtain consular assistance from the:

Australian High Commission
Constitution Avenue and Ispahani Road
Diplomatic Enclave No. 1
Sector G-5/4
Islamabad PAKISTAN

Telephone: (92 51) 835 5500
Facsimile: (92 51) 282 0112
E-mail: consular.islm@dfat.gov.au
Website: www.pakistan.highcommission.gov.au

If you are travelling to Pakistan, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we strongly recommend you register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High or Consulate.

The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

The Australian Consulate in Karachi was closed until further notice due to security concerns in September 2007. The Australian Consulate in Lahore has also been closed to the public until further notice for security reasons. In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the High Commission, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.