Alert to U.S. Citizens in Pakistan Regarding Saturday's Cross-Border ISAF Incident

November 26, 2011

The U.S. Mission is alerting all U.S. citizens residing in Pakistan to be especially vigilant in their personal security, and against possible retaliation, in the aftermath of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) cross-border incident that occurred the morning of Saturday, November 26.  Although the U.S. Mission is not aware of any specific threats or demonstrations at this time, the Embassy in Islamabad is advising U.S. government employees to minimize non-essential travel, and to utilize “buddy systems” to account for colleagues’ whereabouts.  In addition, some U.S. government personnel assigned outside of Islamabad are being recalled to the capital as a precaution.  The U.S. Mission urges all U.S. citizens to maintain vigilant situational awareness; to avoid crowds and demonstrations; to keep a low profile; and to be unpredictable, i.e. by varying the times and routes of all movements.  It is particularly important to verify that travel documents and visas remain valid.  Please check the Embassy’s website for updates.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Internet website where Worldwide Caution, Country Specific Information for Pakistan, Travel Warnings (including the current Travel Warning for Pakistan), and Travel Alerts can be found.  You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook.  Up-to-date information on overseas security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada; callers outside the United States and Canada can dial a standard 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).

U.S. citizens are advised to maintain valid travel documents and to enroll overseas travel through the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

Please note the following contact information for all four U.S. diplomatic posts operating in Pakistan:

• U.S. Embassy 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; email acsislamabad@state.gov.
• U.S. Consulate General Karachi, located at Plot No 3-5, TPX Area, Mai Kolachi Road, Karachi, provides services to U.S. citizens by appointment only.  Services can be scheduled by calling (92-21) 3527-5000 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Monday-Friday; fax (92-21) 3527-5885; website http://karachi.usconsulate.gov/; email acskarachi@state.gov.
• U.S. Consulate General Lahore, located at 50 Sharah-E-Abdul Hameed Bin Badees (Old Empress Road) near Shimla Hill Rotary, provides services to U.S. citizens by appointment only.  U.S. citizens requiring assistance should contact the Consular Section at (92-42) 3603-4000; fax (92-42) 3603-4200; website http://lahore.usconsulate.gov/; email acslahore@state.gov.
• U.S. Consulate General Peshawar is located at 11 Hospital Road, Cantonment, Peshawar; telephone (92-91) 526-8800; fax (92-91) 527-6712; website http://peshawar.usconsulate.gov.