Warden Notice
Warden Notice Pakistan Independence Day
August 14, 2009
This warden message is being issued to advise Americans of potential traffic disruptions and potential safety concerns during the upcoming Pakistan Independence Day celebrations. All U.S. Mission personnel in Pakistan have been advised to take extra care and avoid all unnecessary driving from Thursday evening to Saturday morning. In addition to the known events listed below there will be many other private unannounced events throughout major cities, with celebratory gunfire and large crowds. Previous Pakistan Independence Day celebrations have also included incidents of celebratory gunfire being shot in the air, creating dangerous and unpredictable results.
In observance of this national holiday, many official celebrations will take place, including the following:
Islamabad
- 13 August 2009: At 8:00 pm, the Pakistan Muslim League will hold a peaceful rally and will march from China Chowk towards Parade Ground (in front of Parliament House).
- 13 August 2009: At 11:30 pm, Pakistan People's Party, Rawalpindi, will hold a public celebration at the "Glass Factory Chowk" (close to Airport, Rawalpindi).
- 13 August 2009: At 11:30 pm, former Federal Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed will hold a public gathering at Lal Haveli (Rawalpindi). There will be a fireworks display.
Lahore
- Americans are advised to avoid the following areas in Lahore during the upcoming Pakistan Independence Day celebrations: The Mall, Fortress Stadium, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Liberty, Defence Main Boulevard and Ferozpur Road (Model Town Morr to Mozang).
- 13 August 2009: At 8:00 pm, rallies will be held on Mall Road from Fortress Stadium to Meenar-e-Pakistan.
- 14 August 2009: At 9:00 am, Official Flag Ceremony at Hazoori Bagh, Badshahi Mosque.
- 14 August 2009: At 11:00 am, the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf will hold a rally from High Court, Mall Road to Mazar-e-Iqbal, Badshahi Mosque.
- 14 August 2009: At 1:00 pm, Markaz-e-Ahle-Hadith will hold a rally from Darogh-e-wala Chowk to Press Club, Shimla Hills.
- 14 August 2009: At 6:00 pm, Anjuman-e-Tajiraan (Traders Association) will hold a rally from Mughalpura Chowk to Shalamar Chowk.
Karachi
- 13 August 2009: Public gatherings throughout the night on Clifton Beach. Heavy congestion is expected for roads leading to the beach, including Abdullah Haroon Road, Ziauddin Ahmed Road, Shahrah e Shamsher, and roads of the Defence Housing Authority.
The Embassy reiterates its advice to all Americans to take measures for their safety and security at all times. These measures include maintaining good situational awareness, avoiding crowds, and keeping a low profile. The Embassy reminds Americans that even peaceful demonstrations may become violent and advises Americans to avoid demonstrations. Americans should avoid setting patterns by varying times and routes for all required travel. Americans should ensure that their travel documents and visas are valid at all times.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warning for Pakistan, and Country-Specific Information for Pakistan can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada or, for callers outside the U.S. 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).
American citizens are encouraged to register with the nearest Embassy or Consulate. Registration can be done online at https://travelregistration.state.gov/
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/ Email address: acs_islamabad@state.gov
The U.S. Consulate General in Karachi, located at 8 Abdullah Haroon Road, provides service to U.S. citizens by appointment only. U.S. citizens requiring assistance should call the consular section in Karachi. Their telephone is (92-21) 3520-4200; after hours (92-21) 3520-4400; fax (92-21) 3568-0496; 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) 3603-4000 or 3603-4250; fax (92-42) 3603-4200; 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/