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Emergency Messages to U.S. Citizens

Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Advisory for Lahore-to-Islamabad March on January 13-14

This security message alerts U.S. citizens about the possibility of upcoming demonstrations January 13-14 between Lahore and Islamabad and in the Islamabad area. March participants are expected to gather in the Model Town area of Lahore near the Minhaj-ul-Quran at 9:00 am on Sunday, January 13, and proceed towards Islamabad along the Grand Trunk Road (G.T. Road).  The resulting traffic might cause significant travel delays along other major thoroughfares throughout Lahore as marchers join the procession and regular traffic is rerouted.

Public Services at U.S. Embassy Suspended

Public services at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad will be temporarily suspended on Monday, January 14, due to these demonstrations. The Embassy will continue to make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens.  U.S. citizens should contact (92-51) 208-0000 for emergency American Citizens Services.

Location of the Demonstrations

During this event, there will be a large number of gatherings, processions, and demonstrations between Islamabad and Lahore along the Grand Trunk Road (G.T. Road) and in the city of Islamabad. The U.S. Embassy expects a heightened police and security force presence in and around the city of Islamabad, especially in the downtown area and the area adjacent to the Diplomatic Enclave. The Embassy expects travel in and out of the downtown area to be restricted or prohibited, and for traffic to be blocked, restricted, or rerouted in other portions of the city. 

Avoid Demonstration Sites If Possible

We urge U.S. citizens to avoid the Lahore and Islamabad demonstration sites during this period. If travel is unavoidable, U.S. citizens should expect significant delays when traveling through these areas and along the G.T. Road (Islamabad-Lahore motorway). We advise all U.S. citizens to stay clear of all published procession routes, remain vigilant, keep a low profile, avoid large gatherings, and continue to exercise caution while in Pakistan.

Updates

The U.S. Embassy will publish updated information about this demonstration and dates that the Embassy will be closed to our website as we receive it. We recommend that U.S. citizens monitor our Urgent Messages webpage for updates.

For more information on the risks of travel to Pakistan, please see the Department of State's most recent Travel Warning by clicking here.

Updated Information on Travel and Security

Updated information on travel and security in Pakistan may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). For further information, please consult the Travel Warning for Pakistan and the Country Specific Information for Pakistan, as well as the Worldwide Caution. You can also stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which also contains current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.

U.S. citizens traveling to or living in Pakistan are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you enroll we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements and can also help your family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency. U.S. citizens without Internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

To view emergency services to U.S. citizens in the different consular districts, please click on the links below:


Contact Information for all U.S. Mission to Pakistan Posts

  • The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad is located at Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5; telephone (92-51) 208-0000; Consular Section telephone (92-51) 208-2700; fax (92-51) 282-2632; website: http://islamabad.usembassy.gov; e-mail address: ACSIslamabad@state.gov.
  • The U.S. Consulate General Karachi, located at Plot No 3-5, TPX Area, Mai Kolachi Road, Karachi, provides services to U.S. citizens by appointment only. Services can be scheduled by calling (92-21) 3527-5000 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Monday-Friday; fax (92-21) 3527-5885; website: http://karachi.usconsulate.gov; e-mail: ACSKarachi@state.gov.
  • The U.S. Consulate General in Lahore is located at 50 Sharah-E-Abdul Hameed Bin Badees, (Old Empress Road) near Shimla Hill Rotary; telephone (92-42) 3603-4000 or 3603-4250; fax (92-42)3603-4200; website: http://lahore.usconsulate.gov; e-mail address: ACSLahore@state.gov.
  • The U.S. Consulate General in Peshawar is located at 11 Hospital Road, Cantonment, Peshawar; telephone (92- 1) 526-8800; fax (92-91) 527-6712; website: http://peshawar.usconsulate.gov;  e-mail address: ACSPeshawar@state.gov.