Warden Notices
Warden Notice 6/2009
March 12, 2009
This Warden Message is to inform all Americans that a Lawyers' Long March from Karachi and Quetta to Islamabad is scheduled to start on Thursday, March 12. Participants are currently scheduled to stop at Multan on Friday, Lahore on Saturday, Rawalpindi on Sunday, and Islamabad on Monday, March 16. It has been reported that large demonstrations in support of the March could take place in these cities at any time during the next week.
The government of Pakistan has issued orders in accordance with Pakistani law to prevent the gathering of more than four people in public sites. The government has expressed concern that terrorists could target potential demonstrations for attack, or use demonstrations as a means to gain access to urban centers.
The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad currently plans to remain open. However, increased security checkpoints are being placed at access points to the city and movement within the city may be restricted. Consequently access to the Embassy by American citizens could be limited. Americans who need consular services are encouraged to contact the Embassy before making a visit.
Americans are reminded that demonstrations may quickly turn violent. You are encouraged to avoid areas where large groups are gathered.
The U.S. Embassy would like to remind all Americans to take appropriate individual precautions to ensure their safety at all times. These measures include maintaining good situational awareness, avoiding crowds and demonstrations and keeping a low profile. 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.
American citizens are encouraged to register with the nearest Embassy or Consulate.
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, 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/
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, 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).