Warden Notice
Warden Notice 17/2009
May 29, 2009
This Warden Notice is to alert American citizens to additional security measures in Islamabad and remind U.S. citizens of new and ongoing security concerns in Pakistan.
In recent weeks, militants have targeted Pakistani police and security forces. This week, a suicide attack on the provincial headquarters of Pakistan's intelligence agency in Lahore resulted in almost 600 wounded and 60 dead. Yesterday, multiple bombs exploded in two Pakistani cities, Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan. In response to an intensified offensive by Pakistani military forces against extremist elements in the Swat Valley, militants have threatened attacks in Pakistan's cities and against Pakistani government officials and buildings.
Local authorities have tightened security measures in Islamabad and American citizens should expect additional road closures and road blocks. In addition, the Pakistani government has requested that diplomatic personnel limit their movements in the capital.
The Embassy reiterates its advice to all Americans to take appropriate individual precautions to ensure their safety and security 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) 526-8000; 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).