US warns citizens against traveling to Pakistan, cites blasphemy laws and sectarian violence

[Director General]

Pakistan Travel Warning
LAST UPDATED: APRIL 12, 2017

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all non-essential travel to Pakistan. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated October 7, 2016.

Consular services provided by the American Embassy in Islamabad, the Consulate General in Karachi, and the Consulate General in Lahore are often limited due to the security environment. At this time, the Consulate General in Peshawar is not providing consular services.

Pakistan continues to experience significant terrorist violence, including sectarian attacks. Targeted attacks against government officials, humanitarian and non-governmental organization (NGO) employees, tribal elders, and law enforcement personnel are common. Throughout Pakistan, foreign and indigenous terrorist groups continue to pose a danger to U.S. citizens. Evidence suggests that some victims of terrorist activity have been targeted because they are Americans. Terrorists and criminal groups have resorted to kidnapping for ransom.

The Government of Pakistan maintains heightened security measures, particularly in major cities, following attacks or in response to threats.

Terrorists have targeted:

• Heavily guarded facilities, such as military installations and airports
• Universities, schools, and hospitals
• Places of worship of various faiths
• Rallies, public parks, and sports venues
• Hotels, markets, shopping malls, and restaurants

In October 2016, terrorists killed at least 60 people and injured 190 at a police training college in Quetta, Balochistan. In November 2016, a suicide bomber detonated himself at the Sufi Shah Noorani Shrine in Khudzar, Balochistan, killing at least 52 people and injuring over 100 others. In January 2017, an improvised explosive device placed in a marketplace in Kurram Valley in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) killed at least 25 people and injured at least 87 others. In February 2017, one suicide bomber detonated himself outside the Punjab Assembly in Lahore, killing at least 14 people and injuring at least 87 and another detonated himself in the Sufi Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, killing at least 88 people and injuring over 350.

Sectarian violence remains a serious threat throughout Pakistan, and the Government of Pakistan continues to enforce blasphemy laws. Religious minority communities have been victims of targeted killings and accusations of blasphemy.

The local government restricts access for foreigners to many areas, including:

• the FATA along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border,
• Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province
• the area adjacent to the Line of Control in the disputed territory of Kashmir
• much of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and Balochistan

Travel by U.S. government personnel within Pakistan is restricted and movements by U.S. government personnel outside of Islamabad are severely restricted. U.S. government personnel may not:

• Attend services at places of worship without prior approval.
• Use public transportation or stay overnight at hotels in Pakistan.

If you choose to live or travel in Pakistan despite this warning, you should:

• Vary travel routes and timing, especially for routine trips.
• Minimize the duration of trips to public markets, restaurants, and other locations.
• Minimize the number of U.S./western nationals congregating in any one location at any time.
• Avoid hotels that do not apply stringent security measures.
• Take a photo of your passport, entry stamp and Pakistani visa, and keep it with you at all times. Keep digital copies of these documents in a secure, electronically accessible place.

Advisory Notice to Airmen (NOTAM): The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a NOTAM concerning the risks to civil aviation operating in Pakistan, particularly at low altitude, during the arrival and departure phases of flight, and when on the ground, due to extremist/militant activity. The Advisory NOTAM does not prohibit U.S. operators or airmen from operating in the specified area, as it is strictly an advisory notice.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html

 

[Director General]

State Dept.: Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws Make It Unsafe for Americans
by EDWIN MORA 13 Apr 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, in a message warning against travel to Pakistan, cites Islamabad’s enforcement of the nation’s strict blasphemy laws, which have primarily targeted Christians and other minorities in the Sunni Muslim-majority country.
“Sectarian violence remains a serious threat throughout Pakistan, and the Government of Pakistan continues to enforce blasphemy laws. Religious minority communities have been victims of targeted killings and accusations of blasphemy,” states the U.S. State Department in the travel warning issued on Wednesday.

“Throughout Pakistan, foreign and indigenous terrorist groups continue to pose a danger to U.S. citizens,” it adds. “Evidence suggests that some victims of terrorist activity have been targeted because they are Americans. Terrorists and criminal groups have resorted to kidnapping for ransom.”

In its updated message, the Trump administration warns American citizens against all non-essential travel to the Pakistan.

U.S. aviation authorities have also issued a warning to American airmen.

“The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a NOTAM [Advisory Notice to Airmen] concerning the risks to civil aviation operating in Pakistan, particularly at low altitude, during the arrival and departure phases of flight, and when on the ground, due to extremist/militant activity,” notes the State Department.

“Targeted attacks against government officials, humanitarian and non-governmental organization (NGO) employees, tribal elders, and law enforcement personnel are common,” it adds.

This year, thousands of extremists in Pakistan took to the streets to rally in support of a man executed for killing a governor who wanted to change the country’s harsh blasphemy laws.

More than 100 people are reportedly detained in Pakistan on blasphemy charges every year.

“In Pakistan, law courts are known for their manipulation of laws which are used as a tool discriminate minorities,” reported Pakistan Christian Post in October 2016.

The Pakistani government has not carried out a blasphemy-related death sentence, but numerous Islamic extremists have taken their version of justice into their hands.

Protests have repeatedly erupted across Pakistan with demonstrators calling for the execution of Christians accused of violating the country’s blasphemy laws.

Pakistan has launched an effort to crackdown on anti-Islamic “blasphemy” on social media.

The U.S. company Facebook has reportedly agreed to remove about “85 percent” of so-called “blasphemous” content at the request of Islamabad.

http://www.breitbart.com/national-s...istan-harsh-blasphemy-laws-in-travel-warning/

 

[fitpOsitive]

Epic Fail.
There are no travel warnings or alerts by US about India now:
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html

Yup! No body follows these warnings. Thats the reason so many foreigner women get raped during their visits to India! Specially white women.

 

[Director General]

Yup! No body follows these warnings. Thats the reason so many foreigner women get raped during their visits to India! Specially white women.

We get many many times more white foreign tourists than Pakistan.

 

[Zhukov]

Yes its a good step. Pakistan is already engaged in a nation wide wipeout of Local and foreign sponsored Terrorist Networks. Now field of operations is even epanded into Afghan soil.
So Situation is tense and these bastards do coordinated strikes on soft targets like Cencus teams polio teams foreigners etc. Clearly looks like a sophisticated agnecy is involved in the whole chaos efforts.
All foreigners should travel less and given extra security for 2 3 years. We dont want our guests getting brutalized by these Proxy terrorists who dont want to see Pakistan strive

 

[Sheikh Rauf]

Epic Fail.
There are no travel warnings or alerts by US about India now:
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ts-citizens-in-india/articleshow/56266152.cms
http://www.timesnow.tv/internationa...g-south-asian-countries-including-india/57145
And this is your own news site.. including Pakistan is habbit of india so we are not worried but India is Dangerous and country who export terrorism to other countries.

 

[Director General]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ts-citizens-in-india/articleshow/56266152.cms
http://www.timesnow.tv/internationa...g-south-asian-countries-including-india/57145
And this is your own news site.. including Pakistan is habbit of india so we are not worried but India is Dangerous and country who export terrorism to other countries.

That was a General warning against all South Asian nation no specific warnings on India but there is specific Warning on Pakistan.

 

[Pseudonym]

Epic Fail.
There are no travel warnings or alerts by US about India now

"Epic Fail". This reminds me of another indian member by the name of Gregor Clegane (i think) we had before he was banned. His every single reply started off with these words too "Epic Fail". I'm just curious, are you two related somehow or really inspired from the way he used to reply?

 

[Sinnerman108]

Pakistan's blasphemy laws makes Pakistan very dangerous and unsafe for Pakistanis too.

The day we learn to peel molvis out of our society, will be the day we will learn religion.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Quite a strange warning

"Why would anyone in their right mind be flying into Pakistan , if they are US serviceman"
Such flights are not authorized unless approved by Pakistan.
It is common sense that no one should be flying into Pakistan , if they are not authized to be in our airspace

Visitors should visit on Passenger jets come thru customs like all normal people. And wait in line , grab some coefeee at counter and relax

We have a border and airspace, and that is "Not open" for anyone for flying into it accidently

Fairly normaly protocal used world wide don't fly your military units into other country's airspace. Unless of course you are on training joint group with hosts

Similarly , if someone is not breaking the Blasphemy law , there is no problem. As long as laws of the country are obeyed and respected

 

[Sheikh Rauf]

They do issue these type of warnings every now and then. Its general warning to people or maybe giving terrorist or rapist a opportunity to take care of US citizens. instead of giving warning in Public they sud tell their embassy to warn their citizen. its a humiliation there are my Pakistanies who traveled to so called 1st world and go killed cuz of their race.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/af...kistani-killed-horrific-Australia-attack.html

That was a General warning against all South Asian nation no specific warnings on India but there is specific Warning on Pakistan.[/QUOTE

 

[Prince of Dorne]

We get many many times more white foreign tourists than Pakistan.

Indeed, the number of tourists we receive in a month pretty much dwarfs what Pakistan get in a year. A little off topic, but instead of the smear campaign against India in foreign media our tourist arrival is increasing every year, only if we could improve our infra a bit more we could be a major tourism destination in no time, I mean why wouldn't you visit a country that offers snowy mountains, evergreen forests, sand deserts, pristine beaches, ancient architecture, diverse wildlife, colorful festivities and many more, we got everything the tourist in you could crave for.

 

[maximuswarrior]

We get many many times more white foreign tourists than Pakistan.

Yeah and we also know what you do to white female tourists LOL

Quite a strange warning

"Why would anyone in their right mind be flying into Pakistan , if they are US serviceman"
Such flights are not authorized unless approved by Pakistan.
It is common sense that no one should be flying into Pakistan , if they are not authized to be in our airspace

Visitors should visit on Passenger jets come thru customs like all normal people. And wait in line , grab some coefeee at counter and relax

We have a border and airspace, and that is "Not open" for anyone for flying into it accidently

Fairly normaly protocal used world wide don't fly your military units into other country's airspace. Unless of course you are on training joint group with hosts

Similarly , if someone is not breaking the Blasphemy law , there is no problem. As long as laws of the country are obeyed and respected

Americans tourists don't mass visit Pakistan. Their government has been conducting drone strikes and covert operations inside Pakistan for many years. In fact, US spies are still present and active in Pakistan. This is an open secret. Pakistan and the US are waging an intensive intelligence war. They are also after our nuke capability which really is a thorn in their eyes. Our interests collide on almost every level.

American tourists won't visit Pakistan in such conditions. It makes perfect sense. Frankly, Pakistan should review its relations with the US. American tourists visiting Pakistan are our last priority under current circumstances. Pakistan and the US are going to be at loggerheads for a long time to come. There is no climate for pleasantries and tourism.

 

[Fledgingwings]

Pakistan's blasphemy laws makes Pakistan very dangerous and unsafe for Pakistanis too.

The day we learn to peel molvis out of our society, will be the day we will learn religion.

Not Molvis But Molvi,ism.

 

[maximuswarrior]

Pakistan's blasphemy laws makes Pakistan very dangerous and unsafe for Pakistanis too.

The day we learn to peel molvis out of our society, will be the day we will learn religion.

Whilst the blasphemy law is something that needs reviewing we shouldn't be under any illusions. The Americans couldn't care about the blasphemy law one bit. We all know what they seek. Americans don't care about Mullahs. These Mullahs have been their allies during the Cold War.