In a recent update to its travel advisory, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued precautionary guidance for British nationals considering travel to certain regions in Pakistan. The advisory aims to ensure the safety of travelers by highlighting specific areas where caution is strongly advised.
Key Points from the Travel Advisory:
The FCDO has explicitly recommended British citizens against all travel to regions within 10 miles of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The heightened risk in these areas necessitates careful consideration for individuals planning trips to the vicinity.
Additionally, various regions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Balochistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have been identified as unsafe for travel. British nationals are advised to avoid non-essential trips to the specified locations due to potential security concerns.
Regions to Avoid in Detail:
Areas in KPK:
- Bajaur
- Bannu
- Buner
- Charsadda
- Dera Ismail Khan
- Khyber
- Kohat
- Kurram
- Lakki Marwat
- 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
Balochistan: The FCDO strongly advises against all travel to Balochistan province, with the exception of essential travel to specific areas on the southern coast. The specified areas include the region south of (and including) the N10 motorway and a section of the N25 from the N10/N25 intersection to the Balochistan-Sindh border, encompassing the port city of Gwadar.
AJK: British nationals are cautioned against all travel to within 10 miles of the Line of Control (LOC), which demarcates the military control line between AJK and the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Sindh: In Sindh Province, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas north of and including the city of Nawabshah.
Strict Measures and Warnings:
Importantly, the FCDO emphasizes strict consequences for individuals disregarding their travel advice, including the potential invalidation of travel insurance. Travelers are strongly urged to prioritize their safety by adhering to the outlined recommendations and staying informed about the evolving situation in these regions.
