UK citizens have been warned against travelling to several regions in Pakistan due to heightened risks and security concerns.
Due to ongoing safety concerns, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has warned UK citizens against travelling to several regions in Pakistan. The FCDO has issued an updated travel advisory listing high-risk areas and stressed caution.
UK citizens have been advised not to travel to areas within 10 miles of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Moreover, UK travellers have also been asked to avoid travelling to parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.
Eighteen districts in KP, including Bajaur, Swat, Peshawar, and North and South Waziristan, have been identified as ones to avoid. The UK government stated: “FCDO advises against all 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.
“There can be cross-border attacks in the surrounding areas of Arandu to the south and west of Chitral.” British citizens are advised not to take the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas or the N45 Highway from Mardan to Chitral, including Kalash Valley.
Moreover, the UK Foreign Affairs Department has also restricted travel to Balochistan province, except for its southern coast. The UK government added: “There is a high risk from kidnapping and militant activity in much of Balochistan.
“If you plan to visit the southern coast of Balochistan, get permission from the authorities and have security arrangements in place.” Brits have also been advised against travelling to parts of the Sindh province north of Nawabshah.
The UK government’s foreign travel advice stressed: “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.” The FCDO also advised against all travel within 10 miles of the India-Pakistan border area within Pakistan-administered Kashmir, known as the Line of Control.
Travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the FCDO. UK citizens have also been warned to be mindful of air pollution as a health hazard in Pakistan.
It is a hazard, especially during the winter months, from October to February. Punjab is one of the regions affected the most, particularly the city of Lahore.
