Pakistan Travel Risk

Reconsider travel to Pakistan due to armed conflict, terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Pakistan. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.

Violent extremist groups have carried out attacks in Pakistan. Terrorist attacks typically happen in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the former FATA, but they have also occurred in major cities such as Karachi and Islamabad.

• Terrorists may strike without warning. They target transportation hubs, hotels, markets, malls, military and security forces sites, airports, trains, schools, hospitals, places of worship, tourist spots, and government buildings.

Demonstrations

Local law prohibits protesting or demonstrating without a permit.

• Being near a protest can draw scrutiny from Pakistani security forces.
• U.S. citizens have been detained for participating in protests. You can also face detention for posting content on social media viewed as critical of the Pakistani government, military, or officials.
• Internet and mobile phone service outages are common, especially during protests.

Dual nationals

The U.S. embassy and consulates have a limited ability to provide consular services to dual U.S.-Pakistani citizens who have been arrested or detained. Pakistani law considers such individuals to be exclusively citizens of Pakistan.

Do Not Travel to:

• Balochistan Province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, including the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), due to terrorism and kidnapping.
• The immediate vicinity of the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Pakistan-Afghanistan border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 10 miles of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

FCDO advises against all travel to these areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province:

• Bajaur
• Bannu
• Buner
• Chārsadda
• Dera Ismail Khan
• Hangu
• Karak
• Khyber
• Kohat
• Kurram
• Lakki Marwat
• Upper Dir
• Lower Dir
• Mohmand
• Orakzai
• Peshawar, including the city of Peshawar
• Swat
• Tank
• North Waziristan
• Upper South Waziristan
• Lower South Waziristan
• the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas via Battagram, Besham City, Dasu and Sazin up to the junction with the N15
• the N45 Highway, from the north of the Mardan ring road, to the edge of Chitral City, including Kalash valley

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to these areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province:

• Malakand
• Mardan
• Nowshera
• Shangla
• Swabi

Balochistan Province

FCDO advises against all travel to Balochistan Province.

Pakistan-India Border Area

FCDO advises against all but essential travel within 5 miles of the international border between Pakistan and India. Exceptions are the Grand Trunk highway via the Wagah border (the crossing point is currently closed, however visitors can still access and attend the daily Wagah border ceremony) and the Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib (currently closed for crossings).

Pakistan-administered Kashmir

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

FCDO advises against all travel to within 10 miles of the Line of Control.

Sindh Province

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to all areas of Sindh Province north of and including the city of Nawabshah.

Punjab Province

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Dera Ghazi Khan.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel to these regions.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and regional risks advice.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Pakistan

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Pakistan.

There is a high threat of terrorism and sectarian violence throughout Pakistan.

Read our advice on regional risks in Pakistan for information about areas where we advise against travel.

Terrorist groups operating in Pakistan include:

• Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
• Tehreek-e Jihad Pakistan (TJP)
• Balochistan separatists
• Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP)
• al-Qa’ida

Terrorist groups mainly target Government of Pakistan security forces. Areas of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, and Quetta suffer regular terrorist attacks. Attacks have also taken place in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and other major cities. A number of attacks have also taken place against Chinese nationals; some attacks have also targeted individuals of East Asian appearance more generally.

While terrorist attacks are mainly directed against the Pakistani state, attacks could be indiscriminate and occur without warning, including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as:

• Pakistani government buildings and infrastructure
• security, judicial and police force locations
• places of worship, including churches and religious sites
• hotels, restaurants and shopping areas
• schools and educational institutions
• popular tourist sites or hiking trails

Be cautious about attending any public event, including:

• processions, protests, demonstrations and rallies
• religious gatherings
• sports and live music events

Public transport and transport hubs, including airports, are at risk of attack. Avoid using the railway network due to the risk of terrorist attacks.

Take particular care during periods of national, social or religious significance, including the month of Ramadan, and during election periods. When travelling, always:

• keep a low profile
• minimise your exposure to areas and events that pose a higher risk
• vary your routes and timings if you make regular journeys
• limit movements on Friday afternoons
• be prepared to change your plans as necessary

Examples of recent attacks include:

• on 6 February 2026, a suicide bombing at the Imam Bargah Mosque in Islamabad killed at least 36 people and injured more than 150; Da’esh (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack
• in January 2026, coordinated attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) across multiple towns in Balochistan resulted in the deaths of at least 31 civilians and 17 security personnel. Militants targeted government buildings, security installations, and public areas
• on 11 November 2025, a suicide bombing outside Islamabad’s district courts complex killed 12 people and injured more than two dozen
• in March 2025, the Jaffar Express passenger train travelling from Quetta to Peshawar, with at least 380 passengers on board, was hijacked by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), resulting in 64 deaths
• in October 2024, a suicide attack near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport killed 4 individuals - including two Chinese nationals and two Pakistani civilians
• public service and health officials have been attacked while working on health programmes

Terrorist kidnap

There is a threat of kidnap throughout Pakistan, particularly within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. Terrorist groups are unlikely to prioritise the kidnap of westerners in Pakistan. Any kidnap of a foreign national by terrorist groups in Pakistan would likely be opportunistic.

British nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.

The long-standing policy of the British government policy is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.

This section has safety advice for regions of Pakistan. It only covers regions where The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

FCDO advises against all travel to these districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province:

• Bajaur
• Bannu
• Buner
• Chārsadda
• Dera Ismail Khan
• Hangu
• Karak
• Khyber
• Kohat
• Kurram
• Lakki Marwat
• Upper Dir
• Lower Dir
• Mohmand
• Orakzai
• Peshawar, including the city of Peshawar
• Swat
• Tank
• North Waziristan
• Upper South Waziristan
• Lower South Waziristan

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to these areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province:

• Malakand
• Mardan
• Nowshera
• Shangla
• Swabi

FCDO advises against travel to much of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. There is frequent militant violence in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Local authorities may impose curfews at short notice and there is frequent military activity. Cross-border attacks may occur in the surrounding areas south and west of Chitral.

N45 Highway between Mardan and Chitral

FCDO advises against all travel on the N45 Highway, from the north of the Mardan ring road, to the edge of the city of Chitral because of high crime and terrorism incidents.

Balochistan Province

FCDO advises against all travel to Balochistan Province.

The situation at the Pakistan-Iran border can be unpredictable. In January 2024 both Iran and Pakistan conducted missile and drone strikes targeting militant groups on either side of their border.

There is a high risk from kidnapping and militant activity in much of Balochistan.

Pakistan-administered Kashmir

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

FCDO advises against all travel to within 10 miles of the India-Pakistan border area within Pakistan-administered Kashmir, known as the Line of Control.

Although there is a ceasefire in place, there are still significant tensions between India and Pakistan. There is a risk of small arms fire and occasional mortar fire.

Make sure you have the necessary permissions to travel. Check the latest requirements before you travel as they can change.

Sindh Province

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to all areas of Sindh Province north of and including the city of Nawabshah.

There are high levels of lawlessness in the north of Sindh Province. There is a very high risk of crime and kidnapping. Criminal gangs and bandits with access to heavy weaponry are active in the area. In 2022, a large criminal gang attacked police in Ghotki, northern Sindh, killing several officers and taking other officers hostage.

Karakoram Highway (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan)

The Karakoram Highway runs from Hasan Abdal in north Punjab towards Gilgit and the Chinese border. FCDO advises against all travel on the Highway between Mansehra and Chilas via Battagram, Besham City, Dasu and Sazin up to the junction with the N15.

Avoid travelling on the Highway at night, as the road can be narrow with steep drops. All sections of the Highway north of Battagram up to the Chinese border have experienced landslides.

Punjab

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Dera Ghazi Khan.

If you travel to southern Punjab take advice about the local security situation in advance. There is a high level of crime and public order incidents.

Partial regional extract; read the full official section.

Risk level

Pakistan - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in Pakistan due to the unpredictable security situation. There is also a threat of terrorism, regional violence, civil unrest, sectarian violence and kidnapping.

Regional risks

Regional advisory - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to :

• Pakistan-administered Kashmir
• the province of Balochistan
• the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, except: Haripur and Abbottabad districts where you should exercise a high degree of caution Chitral district where you should avoid non-essential travel
• the area within 50 km of the border with Afghanistan
• the areas within 10 km of the borders with China, India and Iran, except the following official border crossings where you should exercise a high degree of caution: Wagah (which is currently closed) and the Grand Trunk Road leading there Khunjerab Pass and the Karakorum Highway leading there the Kartarpur Corridor (which is intermittently open) for people visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib
• the areas within 10 km of the Line of Control with India
• the section of the Karakoram Highway from Mansehra to Chilas

Karachi - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to the city of Karachi, due to the risk of crime and terrorism, with the exception of the following areas where you should exercise a high degree of caution:

• District of Karachi (formerly Karachi South), including: Clifton area Defence Housing Authorities (DHA) Phases 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, excluding the areas northwest of Muhammad Ali Jinnah Road and northeast of DHA Phase 1 and the Main Korangi Road
• DHA Phase 7 Extension in the District of Korangi
• Lalazar, Naval Officers Residential Estate 1 and Port Tower Complex in the District of Keamari
• Jinnah International Airport and Shahrah-e-Faisal Road between the airport and the city, in the District of Gulshan

The Government of Canada may not be in a position to provide consular assistance to Canadians in areas where:

• there are serious security concerns
• the Government of Pakistan prohibits entry
• advance permission is required for entry

Ongoing demonstrations

Demonstrations are ongoing across Pakistan, including in Peshawar and along routes toward Islamabad.

Additional protests may occur in other major cities with little notice and could lead to disruptions.

If you are in Pakistan:

• stay away from demonstrations and large gatherings
• expect heavy security measures and an increased security presence
• expect road closures and travel disruptions
• follow the instructions of local authorities
• monitor local media for the latest information

Tensions along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border

On February 26, 2026, tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated in coordinated cross border attacks.

Pakistan carried out airstrikes on targets in Kabul and in multiple Afghan provinces. Pakistani authorities also reported that drones were intercepted and destroyed. Retaliatory terrorist attacks could also occur at any time in Pakistan.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province

The security situation in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, including Peshawar, the former tribal districts, southern districts and areas bordering Afghanistan, is unstable due to terrorism, sectarian and political violence and high levels of crime.

The following areas are particularly volatile and continue to be affected by the security situation and activity of militant groups along the border:

• North Waziristan
• South Waziristan
• Bannu
• Lakki Marwat
• D.I. Khan
• Bajaur
• Kurram
• the Khyber District

Upper and Lower Chitral districts are particularly affected due to their proximity to the Afghanistan border and the potential for cross-border security incidents. Terrorist incidents may occur. Do not travel to this area by road. There is a high risk of kidnapping in the area.

Attacks on security and military forces occur frequently in KP Province. Civil unrest also takes place regularly.

Gilgit-Baltistan

Clashes between protesters and security forces have occurred. Past demonstrations have led to traffic and public transport disruptions. Do not travel by road to Gilgit-Baltistan province.

巴基斯坦现有红色（极高风险）地区2个，其他地区均为橙色（高风险）。具体如下：

一、红色地区：开普省、俾路支省（不含查盖地区、瓜达尔地区）。外交部提醒中国公民近期暂勿前往巴基斯坦上述地区，已在当地的人员和机构尽快撤离或转移至安全地区。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

二、橙色地区：其他地区，含俾路支省的查盖地区、瓜达尔地区。外交部提醒中国公民近期谨慎前往巴基斯坦其他地区，已在当地的人员和机构密切关注局势发展，保持高度警惕，加强安全防范和应急准备，确保人身和财产安全。

外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。