Forced Marriage Information Flyer - Pakistan

Forced marriages are not the same as arranged marriages. Arranged marriages are a part of many cultural traditions and involve the free and full consent of both parties to the marriage. Forced marriages are marriages in which one, or both, spouses do not (or in the case of children, or adults with impaired mental capacity due to learning or physical disabilities, cannot) provide legal consent to a marriage. In many cases threats may be used to prompt the victim to accept the marriage. These threats may be physical, psychological, financial, emotional, and/or sexual in nature, and are used to make the victim feel as though they have no choice but to accept the marriage. Marriages of this type are forced marriages, and the United States considers it to be a human rights concern, since human rights principles seek to advance the freedom and inherent dignity of all people.

The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan is willing to assist victims or potential victims of forced marriage. If you are an American citizen in Pakistan, or know an American citizen in Pakisan, who has been, is being, or fears being forced into marriage against your/their will, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad at:

Telephone

During business hours (0800 – 1630) please contact the American Citizen Services Unit at: 208-2186. You can also call the main Embassy switchboard at 208-0000 and ask for the American Citizen Services Unit. If you are calling from the United States, dial 0092-51-208-0000.

If you need assistance after-hours, please call the main Embassy switchboard at 208-0000, press “0” and ask for the duty officer. 

Email

You can contact the American Citizen Services Unit at ACS_Islamabad@state.gov

In Person

You can appear in person any work day, Monday through Friday, from 0800-1230, and proceed to Window 1 in the U.S. Embassy, which is located on:

Diplomatic Enclave (for access to the Diplomatic Enclave, you MUST enter through use of the Diplomatic Shuttle Service located at Third Avenue, near Quaid-e Azam University Road, G-5, Islamabad, and show your US passport),
Ramna 5, Islamabad, Pakistan

U.S. Consulate General in Karachi
The U.S. Consulate General in Karachi is located at Plot 3-5 New TPX Area, Mai Kolachi Road. U.S. citizens requiring emergency assistance should call the Consular Section in Karachi.
Telephone: (92-21) 3527-5000

U.S. Consulate General in Lahore
The U.S. Consulate in Lahore is located on 50 Sharah-E-Abdul Hamid Bin Badees (Old Empress Road), near Shimla Hill Rotary.
Telephone: (92-42) 3603-4000
Fax: (92-42) 3603-4212

U.S. Consulate General in Peshawar
The U.S. Consulate in Peshawar is located at 11 Hospital Road, Cantonment, Peshawar.
Telephone: (92-91) 526-8800
Fax: (92-91) 528-4171

If You Are in the United States

If you, or the person being forced into marriage, is still in the United States, please contact your local authorities or the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747.

If You Are Calling from the United States to Report a Forced Marriage in Pakistan:

During business hours (0800 – 1630) please contact the American Citizen Services Unit at: +(0092) (51) 208-2186. You can also call the main Embassy switchboard at +(0092) (51) 208-0000 and ask for the American Citizen Services Unit. 

If you need assistance after-hours, please call the main Embassy switchboard at + (0092) (51) 208-0000, press “0” and ask for the duty officer.

Please remember, Pakistan is 9 hours AHEAD of U.S. Eastern Standard Time.

Please explain that you are calling or contacting us to report a forced marriage and be prepared to give full details of the persons involved, their citizenship and passport numbers if available, their location in Pakistan and circumstances of the marriage arrangement.