The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to:

• the areas in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province formerly known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas
• the districts of Charsadda, Kohat, Tank, Bannu, Lakki, Dera Ismail Khan, Swat, Buner and Lower Dir in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
• the city of Peshawar and districts south of the city
• travel on the Peshawar to Chitral road via the Lowari Pass
• Balochistan province including the city of Quetta but excluding the southern coast of Balochistan (see below)
• the section of the Karakoram Highway (also known as Kara Karam Highway or KKH) from Mansehra to Chilas, via Battagram, Besham City, Dasu and Sazin up to the junction with the N15
• the immediate vicinity of the Line of Control

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Arandu town and the road between Mirkhani and Arandu in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province
• the southern coast of Balochistan, defined as the area south of (and including) the N10 motorway as well as the section of the N25 which runs from N10/N25 intersection to the Balochistan/Sindh border, including the port city of Gwadar
• areas of Sindh Province north of, and including, the city of Nawabshah

If you’re planning travel to Pakistan, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the Coronavirus section.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO guidance on foreign travel insurance.

For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see the Coronavirus page

PakistanIn canrecent experienceyears, extremethe weather,security includingsituation severein heatwaves.Pakistan Thesehas typicallyimproved occurconsiderably betweenfollowing Marchaction andby June.the ThePakistan extremegovernment temperaturesand cansecurity causeforces. poorBefore airthe quality,COVID wildfirespandemic andthere powerwere outages.nearly Youhalf shoulda avoidmillion unnecessaryvisits exposureby toBritish directnationals sunlightto andPakistan. takeMost precautionaryvisits measures.are Moretrouble informationfree.

Political rallies and detailedprotests guidanceregularly istake availableplace onacross thePakistan. NationalSome Disastermay Managementhave Authorityan website.anti-western Youdimension shouldand monitorcould theturn localviolent. andIn internationalgeneral weatheryou updatesshould fromavoid thedemonstrations, Pakistanlarge Meteorologicalcrowds Department,of followpeople, thepublic adviceand ofpolitical localevents. authoritiesOn and20 yourMay, tourPTI companyleader beforeImran travelling.

InKhan recentcalled years,for thesupporters securityto situationjoin ina Pakistanmarch hason improvedIslamabad, considerablyintended followingto actionarrive byin the Pakistancity governmenton and25 securityMay. forces.The Beforeauthorities theresponded COVIDon pandemic24 thereMay werewith nearlyemergency halfrestrictions, aprohibiting milliongatherings visitsof byfive Britishor nationalsmore topeople Pakistan.in MostIslamabad, visitsPunjab areand troubleSindh. free.

PoliticalTransport ralliesroutes andto, protestsfrom takeand placewithin acrossmajor Pakistan.cities, Itincluding isIslamabad, possibleKarachi someand mayLahore haveare anlikely anti-westernto dimension.be affected. You should avoidfollow demonstrations,the largeadvice crowds of people,local publicauthorities and politicalyour eventstour Seecompany Safetybefore travelling and security.keep Proteststrack canof takenews. placeSee throughoutSafety Pakistan with little warning and can turn violent quickly.security

Some periods of the year may pose heightened risks. During holy periods/religious holidays, there is an increased potential for targeted attacks, including on western interests and religious minorities.

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Pakistan. There’s a high threat of terrorism, kidnap and sectarian violence throughout the country, including the major cities of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi. Foreigners, in particular westerners, may be directly targeted. You should be vigilant, try to avoid all crowds and public events including political gatherings and religious events throughout Pakistan, and take appropriate security precautions.

Densely populated and unsecured areas, such as markets, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, hiking trails, airports, infrastructure projects, public transport, schools and educational institutions are potential focal points for attacks. You should be extra vigilant at all times in such areas and minimise your exposure to areas that pose a higher risk. See Terrorism

Pakistan can experience extreme weather, including severe heatwaves. These typically occur between March and June. The extreme temperatures can cause poor air quality, wildfires and power outages. You should avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight and take precautionary measures. More information and detailed guidance is available on the National Disaster Management Authority website. You should monitor the local and international weather updates from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, follow the advice of local authorities and your tour company before travelling.

Pakistan is in a major earthquake zone and remains at risk from further earthquakes, aftershocks, landslides and flooding. You should familiarise yourself with safety procedures in the event of an earthquake. See Natural disasters

Consular support is severely limited in parts of Pakistan where the FCDO has existing advice against all travel and all but essential travel (as set out above). Consular support is also limited in parts of Pakistan where High Commission officials require travel permission from the government of Pakistan. Permission is not guaranteed. The British High Commission’s ability to deliver consular assistance, including in an emergency, may be restricted or delayed in these areas.

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.