Asia and Oceania

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Travel Summary

• There is a high threat from terrorism and sectarian violence throughout Pakistan. Events across the country show that the series of major terrorist attacks is continuing. Statements issued by militant groups have threatened more attacks in the coming weeks. See the Terrorism & Sectarian Violence section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• The Pakistani military is conducting ongoing operations against militants across NWFP and FATA, particularly in South Waziristan Agency.
  
  
• The Pakistani authorities are also concerned about the threat to foreigners of kidnapping.  
  
  
• We advise against all travel to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and much of North West Frontier Province, including the areas of Peshawar, Kohat, Tank, Bannu, Lakki and Dera Ismail Khan. We advise against travel to the city of Peshawar and districts south of the city.
  
  
• We advise against all travel to Northern and Western Balochistan and advise against all but essential travel to Quetta and parts of Interior Sindh to the north of Nawabshah. 
  
  
• We advise against all travel to Swat, Buner, and Lower Dir, including travel on the Peshawar to Chitral road via the Lowari Pass. In these areas there are ongoing reports of military or militant activity. There are ongoing military offensives against militants in Swat, Buner, and Lower Dir, and a curfew has been imposed in parts of these districts. Large numbers of people have evacuated these areas. The risk from lawlessness and kidnapping remains severe.
  
  
• There has been a recent increase in sectarian violence in Gilgit and the authorities have introduced restrictions on public gatherings.
  
  
• We also advise against using the rail network across the whole of Pakistan see Local Travel section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Caution should be taken when visiting central Punjab due to a high likelihood of spontaneous sectarian violence.
  
  
• If you are intending to travel to Pakistan, you should follow the developing situation in the news media and consult FCO travel advice regularly. You are also recommended to register with the British High Commission.  You may wish to seek local advice on the latest situation from the Security Section of the British High Commission in Islamabad or the British Deputy High Commission in Karachi.
  
  
• 326 British nationals required consular assistance in Pakistan in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (15 cases); hospitalisations (7 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (21 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (189 cases).  However, assistance to victims of forced marriage or child abduction is also common.   If you are concerned about either issue see Forced Marriages or Child Abduction .
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and ensure that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and the Travel Insurance page for more details.