Embassy of the United States

Warden Notices

Warden Notice 3/2008

This warden message is being issued to alert Americans, who are in Pakistan, to safety concerns during the Pakistani elections on Monday, February 18. The Embassy continues to recommend that Americans defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan.

Historically, periods leading up to, during, and after elections have included random gunfire, indiscriminate acts of violence, protests, and bombings. Violence can erupt quickly and unexpectedly. Places where violence may occur include, but are not limited to, large gatherings, religious sites, polling stations, and places where Westerners gather. Americans are reminded to keep a very low profile and, to the extent possible, avoid these areas during this time.

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 always 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 http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_930.html 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