Pakistan

Emergency phone numbers

Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes and providing emergency services.

• Dial 1122 for emergency servicesfor emergency services
• Dial 15 for police

Terrorism

Terrorists and their supporters may target U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorist groups within Pakistan continue to seek opportunities to attack locations where U.S. citizens and other Westerners are known to congregate or visit.

Terrorists may target:

• Large public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Government facilities
• Minority neighborhoods
• Popular hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by foreigners and tourists
• Places of worship
• Schools
• Parks
• Shopping malls and markets
• Commercial flights
• Public transportation (buses and trains)

Terrorists also target Pakistani officials, military and security forces, and religious minorities.

Common tactics include suicide bombings, shootings, and explosives such as car bombs and improvised devices. Other threats include assassinations, kidnappings, carjackings, and assaults. Security measures in Pakistan are strict and can change daily, especially in major cities. 

Safety tips

• Limit how often you travel. Keep trips to public markets, restaurants, and other public places short.
• The U.S. embassy and consulates regularly review security and limit employees’ movement when needed. Tourist spots, hotels, markets, malls, and restaurants are sometimes off-limits to U.S. government employees.
• Public transportation, taxis, and visits to most houses of worship are also prohibited for U.S. personnel.
• U.S. government officials traveling to Pakistan are allowed to stay overnight in certain secure hotels in Islamabad and other areas. Avoid hotels without strong security.
• Stay informed through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and local media. Always stay aware of your surroundings.
• Review our information on Terrorism. 

Demonstrations 

Demonstrations are common. They may take place in response to local, national, or international current events, including on politically significant holidays.

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable. Avoid areas around protests, demonstrations, and where large crowds gather.
• Past demonstrations have turned violent.
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
• The Government of Pakistan has in the past disabled cellular telephone and internet service. This makes it difficult for people to contact each other or the U.S. embassy or consulates.
• The U.S. embassy and consulates generally do not message or post information about routine demonstrations. But we will share known information regarding demonstrations or unrest that pose a specific threat to U.S. citizens, including U.S. government employees.
• Celebratory gunfire may occur at any time. It is most likely to happen during wedding celebrations. These are common from October to May, and on holidays such as New Year’s Eve. Although it is unlikely, falling rounds can cause injury or death.

Crime

General crime risks

• Urban crime can be organized or opportunistic. It involves fraud, theft, robbery, carjacking, assault, and burglary.
• Crime and violence are more common in low-income residential and busy commercial areas. But it can also take place in wealthier neighborhoods.

Common crimes targeting travelers

• Pickpocketing, theft, and larceny are common on buses and trains at all hours. Secure your belongings and remain alert in crowded areas.

Personal safety precautions

To reduce vulnerability to crime:

• Lock home and vehicle doors.
• Vary routes and schedules to avoid predictability.
• Keep bags or valuables under your legs, away from passing vehicle traffic. Make sure bag straps are not visible.
• Travel in groups whenever possible.
• Be accompanied by someone who speaks the local language when traveling outside urban areas.
• Carry a mobile phone for emergencies but pay attention when displaying your mobile phone in public due to phone snatching.
• Wear modest clothing. Cover arms and legs. Avoid walking alone, especially late at night.

Responding to crime

• If you are assaulted, flee to a safe area. Report the incident to local authorities. Go directly to a police station or dial 15.

Scams

Follow Department of State guidelines to protect yourself from scams.

If you are a victim of a scam, learn how the FBI can help.  

Financial and Internet romance scams are common in Pakistan.

Be careful of anyone asking for money, especially those who start a “romantic” relationship online or claim local authorities want money. Scams often begin through online posts, emails, or letters. Scammers pretend to be U.S. citizens in need of help.

Common scams include:

• Fake currency exchanges
• “Friendly” locals offering help
• Overcharging by taxi or rickshaw drivers
• Fake tour guides
• Street vendor scams
• ATM skimming
• Police impersonation
• Inheritance notices
• Work permits and job offers

Victims of crime

Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

• You may report crimes to the local police by dialing 15 and contact the U.S. embassy by dialing +(92)(51) 201-4000.

Police responsiveness varies widely. Crimes often go unsolved or unprosecuted.

Dual U.S-Pakistani nationals may not be recognized as U.S. citizens by local authorities. They may be treated as Pakistani nationals by the police and the courts.

• Review our information for Victims of Crime.

The U.S. embassy or consulates can:

• Replace a stolen or lost passport.
• Help you find medical care.
• Assist you in how to report a crime to the police.
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent.
• Provide general information regarding the criminal justice system.
• Provide a list of local attorneys. We do not endorse or recommend any specific attorneys.
• Provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States or limited medical support in cases of need.
• Help you find accomodation and options to travel home.

Sexual assault and domestic violence

• U.S. citizens who are victims of sexual assault and domestic violence are encouraged to contact the U.S. embassy or the consulates in Karachi or Lahore for assistance.

Technology use abroad

Tourists cannot buy a Pakistan SIM card at Islamabad airport. To get one, they need to go to an official store of a mobile internet provider in Pakistan. Only these stores can register and activate SIM cards. Otherwise, international cellular data roaming in Pakistan is generally very expensive.

Mobile devices are vulnerable to compromise, theft, and damage anywhere in the world. Follow these safe practices:

• Update all software (operating system and apps) before leaving the United States.
• Use reputable, U.S.-based VPN or VoIP applications.
• Do not connect to public Wi-Fi networks.
• Research the safety of routes recommended by GPS. The fastest route is not always the safest.
• Be cautious using dating apps abroad, as scammers often target U.S. citizens.
• Drone use is restricted and may be confiscated by local customs officials.

GPS

Prior to using GPS abroad:

• Research the route recommended by the GPS to make sure it is safe.
• The fastest path may not be the safest.
• GPS with tracking capabilities are not permitted in Pakistan.

Tourism safety

The tourism industry is not well regulated:

• Safety inspections for equipment and facilities are rare.
• Dangerous areas and activities are not always marked with signs.
• Staff may not be trained or certified.
• If you get injured, you will likely need to travel to a major city for appropriate medical care.
• First responders are generally unable to reach remote areas in case of emergencies.
• U.S. citizens are encouraged to have medical evacuation insurance.
• Review our information on Travel Insurance. 

Adventure travel

• Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tips for Adventure Travel.

Pakistan’s mountains and glaciers make it an attractive destination for adventure enthusiasts.

• Helping lost or injured visitors in remote areas is difficult, even with local authorities trying their best.
• In recent years, several U.S. citizens, including skilled climbers, have died while climbing in the Karakoram mountains. Rescue missions there are often difficult or even impossible.
• Costs for emergency rescues start at $15,000. Payment is required before the search operation starts.

Criminal penalties

U.S. citizens must follow local laws. If you break local laws, even by mistake, you could be deported, arrested, or imprisoned.

• Exit controls, or bans on departing the country, are commonly imposed as a condition of bail.
• The U.S. government cannot intervene with local authorities. It also cannot advocate for specific results for private individuals in legal cases.
• Taking pictures of some buildings is illegal. This includes sensitive places like military buildings, cantonments, and nuclear sites. However, the law is vague and applied inconsistently.
• Importing alcohol into Pakistan is illegal without government approval. Even with approval, it is allowed only in certain situations. Travelers entering Pakistan with alcohol face potentially severe penalties.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs may lead to jail time and other harsh penalties.
• Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs in Pakistan are severe. Those convicted can face long prison sentences. It may also lead to heavy fines, and even capital punishment.
• You may be prosecuted in the United States for crimes committed abroad, regardless of the local law. Review the information provided by the U.S. Department of Justice about crimes against minors abroad.
• Before you start a business or a profession in Pakistan, seek information from the local authorities about what permits or licenses are required. 

Religious laws

• Insulting or disrespecting religion, religious beliefs, or anything sacred (blasphemy) is illegal in Pakistan.
• Blasphemy laws apply to public and private comments, including social media posts.
• Violations can lead to severe penalties, including death. It may also lead to significant risks of violence from the public.
• Be sensitive to religious beliefs and always behave respectfully.

Arrest notification

• If you are arrested or detained, ask officials to notify the U.S. embassy immediately.
• Pakistani law enforcement typically does not inform the U.S. embassy or consulates when a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained. They will only do this if you ask them to.
• Pakistan’s rules for foreign diplomats and access to arrested individuals have slowed consular access before. In some cases, a consular officer cannot visit because of security travel restrictions.

Counterfeit and pirated goods

Counterfeit and pirated goods are common in many destinations.

• They may be illegal according to local laws.
• Counterfeit and pirated goods may pose significant risks to consumer health and safety.
• You may be subject to fines or have to surrender counterfeit and pirated goods to authorities if you bring them back to the United States.

Learn more about U.S. restrictions on counterfeit and pirated goods:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• U.S. Department of Justice

Faith-based travelers

Faith based travel includes pilgrimages, service projects, and mission work. Prepare for your travel using these resources:

• Faith-Based Travel
• Volunteering Abroad
• International Religious Freedom Reports

Gay and lesbian travelers

The law prohibits same-sex sexual conduct.

• The punishment for conviction includes a fine and imprisonment. Jail sentences range from 2 years to life imprisonment.
• No laws protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation.
• Gay and lesbian individuals rarely reveal their sexual orientation.
• Review our information for Gay and Lesbian Travelers.

Travelers with accessibility needs

• The law in Pakistan prohibits discrimination against people with physical, psychosocial, intellectual, or mental disabilities. The law is rarely enforced.
• Social acceptance of people with disabilities in public is not as common as in the United States.
• Do not expect public transportation, lodging, communication, or general infrastructure in Pakistan to have the same accessibility standards found in the United States. 
• Review our information on Accessibility Needs.

Students

• Review our information on Studying Abroad. 

Women travelers

• Women should wear modest clothing.
• There are reports of U.S. citizens who have faced domestic violence, sexual harassment, verbal abuse, and forced marriage in Pakistan.
• Some women have had their passports taken by spouses, parents, or family members. This also includes their children’s passports. As a result, their freedom to move around is severely limited. Local police are not consistently responsive to reports of these cases.
• If you are in a life-threatening situation, call the police immediately. Then, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We will help you connect with a Pakistani non-governmental organization that may offer assistance.
• If you are a victim abroad, you might get compensation for counseling or other services, like relocating back to the United States. 
• For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women.
• Review our information on Women Travelers.
• Review our information on Marriage. 

Human rights

Human rights issues have included credible reports of:

• Unlawful or arbitrary killings
• Disappearances
• Torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment
• Transnational repression against individuals in another country
• Serious abuses in a conflict
• Serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom including violence against journalists, unjustified arrests, disappearances of journalists, and censorship
• Restrictions of religious freedom
• Threats of violence motivated by antisemitism
• Significant or systemic restrictions on workers’ freedom of association
• Review the Department of State’s Human Rights Report for your destination prior to traveling.

Health resources

• CDC Pakistan Traveler Information provides destination specific information on prevalent diseases and vaccination recommendations.
• CDC Travelers’ Health Information
• CDC Medical Tourism information
• World Health Organization
• Medicine and Health
• Travel Insurance

Emergency numbers

• Dial 1122 for emergency medical services. 

Ambulance services

• Ambulance services are not present or are unreliable in most areas.
• Available ambulances are not staffed with trained paramedics. They often have little or no medical equipment.
• Effective emergency response to personal injury and illness is virtually non-existent in most of Pakistan.

Medical payments and insurance

• The U.S. government does not pay medical bills.
• U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover expenses or bills abroad.
• Most hospitals and doctors abroad do not accept U.S. health insurance.
• Medical care is not free in Pakistan. If you require medical attention, you will be responsible for expenses, even if you are treated in a public healthcare facility.
• Care providers in Pakistan do not accept insurance.
• Credit card payment is not always available.
• Most hospitals and medical professionals require cash payment.
• Make sure you know if your health insurance plan provides coverage abroad or reimbursement of payments. The CDC provides more information on types of insurance.
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Vaccinations

Stay up to date with the vaccines recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that travelers to Pakistan are at increased risk of exposure to the polio virus. The government of Pakistan requires polio vaccination for some longer stays.

• CDC Travelers’ Health
• World Health Organization Travel Advice
• Ministry of National Health Services
• CDC Global Polio Notice

The following diseases are common:

• Tuberculosis
• Polio
• Dengue
• Malaria
• Yellow Fever

Healthcare facilities

• Health facilities are available in major cities but vary in quality and range of services. They may be below U.S. standards.
• It may be difficult to find adequate health care in rural areas.
• It is recommended never to travel alone to Pakistan, if you are hospitalized, a friend or family member will be expected to attend to your basic needs. There is generally no nursing staff or equivalent.
• Public medical clinics lack basic resources and supplies.
• Medical staff may speak little or no English.
• Hospitals and doctors typically require payment “up front” prior to service or admission.
• The availability of medical supplies is uneven, and shortage of basic over-the-counter medicines occurs frequently.
• Many common medications used in the United States are not available in Pakistan.
• The U.S. embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.
• Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in larger cities. 

Prescription medications

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have rules for bringing medication back into the United States.
• If you buy medications abroad, the medications must meet CBP’s and the FDA’s requirements to bring them back legally.
• The medications must also be for personal use and approved for use in the United States.
• There are strict controls for Pseudoephedrine. The medication is not banned, but it may be confiscated at the border.

For more information:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Food and Drug Administration

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy (ART)

• Surrogacy is illegal for foreigners in Pakistan. 

Water quality and food safety

• Tap water is not potable. You should use only boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, and for beverages.
• Many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested.
• You may want to request no ice in your drinks since it may be made using tap water.
• Sanitation in most restaurants is inadequate. Diarrheal illnesses are common. 

Altitude

• Some areas in Pakistan, especially K2 (Mount Godwin-Austen) in the Karakorum Mountains in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, are at high altitude.
• Be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness and take precautions before you travel.
• Visit the CDC website for more information about Travel to High Altitudes.

Air quality

• Check NASA’s Air Quality Forecast. It uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), historical data, and global pollution modeling to generate a 3-day forecast of expected air quality in Pakistan.
• Check the CDC’s Air Quality page for information about common air pollutants.
• For information about the U.S. Air Quality Index and health guidance, check out the EPA’s AirNow.
• Review our information on Medicine and Health.

Road conditions and safety

• Road conditions may differ significantly from those in the United States.
• Roads outside major cities are dependent on weather and are poorly maintained.

Traffic laws

• Drivers in Pakistan drive on the left-hand side of the road.
• Roads can be crowded, and drivers can be aggressive and poorly trained. Local drivers may drive head-on in your lane of traffic if they believe it helps them get to their destination more quickly. Animals, horse carts, bicyclists, and pedestrians can pose roadside hazards in some areas.
• Roads are poorly maintained. They often have numerous potholes, sharp drop-offs, and barriers that are not signposted.
• Exercise caution when traveling at night. Many vehicles do not have working headlights or dimmers, and many roads are not illuminated or signed.
• Drive with experienced local drivers or guides.

Taxis and rideshares

• Remain cautious if using taxis or online ride hailing services.
• For security reasons, U.S. government employees are prohibited from using all forms of taxis or rideshare.

Public and commercial transportation

• Remain cautious if using trains, buses, or any form of public transportation.
• For security reasons, U.S. government employees are prohibited from using all forms of public transportation.
• Review our information on Driving and Transportation Safety Abroad. 

Aviation safety oversight

• The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Pakistan’ Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international standards for aviation safety oversight. FAA's website includes more information on its assessment program. 

Maritime travel

Mariners and passengers planning travel to Pakistan should check the following:

• U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Advisories
• MARAD Active Maritime Alerts
• Maritime Safety Office Navigational Warnings

Helpful resources

• Pakistan Meteorological Department provides forecasts and warnings.
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) coordinates disaster preparedness and response.

Weather conditions

Monsoonal rainfall and flooding

• Monsoon rains happen from late June to early September. They are a key feature of Pakistan’s climate.
• These rains help agriculture, but they often lead to severe flooding. This is particularly common in the Indus River Basin and its tributaries.
• Urban areas like Karachi and Lahore often face flash floods. This is mainly because of inadequate drainage systems.

Heatwaves

• Pakistan experiences extreme heatwaves, particularly in southern regions like Sindh and Punjab. These heatwaves usually happen from May to June.
• Temperatures can exceed 50°C (122°F). Urban areas like Karachi are more at risk because of the urban heat island effect.
• Heatwaves are a big health risk. They can cause heatstroke and dehydration. Heatwaves often lead to power outages due to increased demand for electricity.

Earthquakes

• Pakistan sits at the edge of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This location makes it very prone to earthquakes.
• Northern areas, like Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and parts of Balochistan, are very vulnerable.
• Major earthquakes, such as the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, have caused widespread devastation.

Living abroad resources

If you live outside the United States for a long time, you or your family may experience various life events, wish to exercise U.S. citizenship rights, or need to meet U.S. legal obligations while abroad.

• Learn how to prepare for voting in U.S. elections, the birth of a child, or getting married.
• Ensure you have a plan for healthcare and medical insurance abroad.
• Even abroad, you still have certain obligations such as paying your U.S. taxes or registering for military selective service.
• Review information on federal benefits, such as Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits.