Warden Notice
Warden Notice 20/2009
June 12, 2009
This Warden Notice is to notify American citizens of potential security incidents in Karachi and Lahore.
Karachi
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced plans to host a "Go America Go" rally in Karachi on Sunday, June 14th. JI Karachi is organizing the anti-American rally at the Mausoleum of Qaid-e-Azam. It will be led by JI Chief Syed Munawar Hassan. Americans are advised to avoid the Mausoleum of Qaid-e-Azam and its environs during the protest.
Lahore
The Punjab Provincial Assembly will have extraordinary security measures in place during its budget session, which begins on Monday, June 15, because of threats that the provincial government has received. Americans should avoid visiting or traveling near the Assembly building until the session concludes on or around July 6. Because terrorists have targeted government facilities, Americans should exercise extreme caution in visiting any district, provincial, or federal building.
Moreover, in response to the May 27 blast and due to current security concerns, Lahore District authorities have enhanced security in and restricted access to the following areas:
- Bank Road near Central Police Office (CPO), and the side roads that link to Old Anarkali and Ferozpur Road
- Lower Mall/Multan Road/Court Street near Civil Secretariat
- Outfall Road (one way)
- Punjab Assembly - MPA Hostel Road - Egerton Road (coming from the Flatties Hotel side)
- GOR-I (various roads are blocked inside the Government Officers Residential area)
Americans should exercise caution when visiting any of the above areas.
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 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.
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/
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) 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/