Embassy of the United States

Warden Notices

Warden Notice 1/2008

This warden message is being issued to alert Americans to safety concerns during the upcoming Muharram holidays. The Embassy continues to recommend that Americans defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan, particularly during the upcoming weekend of January 18-21. There will be a large number of gatherings, processions and demonstrations throughout the country, with the potential for associated violence.

Observance of the Muharram holidays often includes acts of self-inflicted violence, the display of public enactments of grief, and numerous gatherings and processions. The events are very sensitive, and outside observers or curious onlookers are generally not welcome at the processions and demonstrations. Muharram is traditionally a period of Sunni/Shi’ite tension, and the potential for violence is much higher during these gatherings. Americans are reminded to keep a low profile and to avoid large gatherings during the holiday period.

As per our long-standing guidance, we would like to remind the American citizen community of the need to stay alert, to be aware of your surroundings, to reduce travel to a minimum, and to act self-defensively at all times. American citizens should vary their routes and times, avoid areas where Westerners are known to congregate, and maintain a low profile. Threats, protests, and demonstrations may occur throughout Pakistan without prior notice or warning, and on occasion have turned violent or been the target of violence. We therefore recommend that American citizens avoid all demonstrations, protests and large gatherings.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html and the Pakistan Country Specific Information http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_992.html and Travel Warning can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, 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).

Contact information follows for all four posts in Pakistan:

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

The U.S. Consulate General in Karachi, located at 8 Abdullah Haroon Road, has closed its public operations indefinitely due to security concerns. U.S. citizens requiring emergency assistance should call the consular section in Karachi. Their telephone is (92-21) 520-4200 (after hours: 92-21-520-4400; fax 92-21-568-0496, website
http://karachi.usconsulate.gov

The U.S. Consulate in Lahore is located at 50- Sharah-E-Abdul Hameed Bin Badees, (Old Empress Road) near Shimla Hill Rotary, telephone (92-42) 603-4000 or 603-4250, fax (92-42) 603-4200, website
http://lahore.usconsulate.gov
Email address: acslahore@state.gov

The U.S. Consulate in Peshawar is located at 11 Hospital Road, Cantonment, Peshawar; telephone (92-91) 526-8800; fax (92-91) 527-6712, website
http://peshawar.usconsulate.gov