From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Pakistan
Date: 12 Jan 1993 15:30:32 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Pakistan
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Pakistan - Consular Information Sheet
 January 8, 1993

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located in Islamabad, 
Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, telephone (92-51) 826-161.  The 
Consular Section is located separately in the USAID building, 18 
Sixth Avenue, Ramna 5.  In Karachi, the U.S. Consulate General is 
located at 8 Abdullah Haroon Road, telephone (92-21) 568-5170.  In 
Lahore, the U.S. Consulate General is located on Sharah-E-Abdul 
Hamid Bin Badees (50 Empress Road), New Simla Hills, telephone 
(92-42) 365-530.  In Peshawar, the U.S. Consulate is located at 11 
Hospital Road, Peshawar Cantonment, telephone (92-521) 279-801/2/3. 

Country Description:  Pakistan is a developing country with a 
parliamentary democracy.  Tourist facilities are available in the 
principal population centers of the country. 

Entry Requirements:  A passport and visa are required.  The visa 
must be obtained from a Pakistani embassy or consulate before 
arrival at the point of entry.  Information on entry requirements 
can be obtained from the Embassy of Pakistan, 2315 Massachusetts 
Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20008; telephone (202) 939-6200.  
Travelers can  also contact the Pakistani Consulate General, 12 East 
65th St., New York, NY 10021; telephone (212) 879-5800. 

Areas of Instability:  Rallies, demonstrations and processions 
occur from time to time throughout Pakistan on very short notice, 
and have occasionally taken on an anti-American or anti-Western 
character.  The potential exists for U.S. citizens to be injured 
during such events.

QTravel in the Northwest Frontier Province.  Substantial areas 
within the Northwest Frontier are designated tribal areas, outside 
the normal jurisdiction of government law enforcement authorities.  
Travel within these areas is particularly hazardous.  Tribal feuds 
or conflicts between smuggling factions may incidentally involve 
foreigners.  Even in the settled areas, ethnic, political, or 
sectarian violence may target foreigners.  Car hijackings and the 
abduction of foreigners are occasionally reported from the tribal 
areas.  If visitors must enter the tribal areas, a permit must be 
obtained from the Home Department, which may require that an armed 
escort accompany the visitor.

QTravel in Sindh Province.  While Karachi has not recently 
experienced ethnic violence, the potential for it remains.  In the 
areas near Hyderabad, there have been recurring outbreaks of ethnic 
and sectarian violence which have been characterized by random 
bombings, shootings and mass demonstrations.  Recent incidents have 
resulted in several deaths and the unofficial imposition of curfews. 
 There have also been numerous incidents of kidnapping for ransom.  
In rural Sindh Province, the security situation is hazardous, 
especially in regard to overland travel.  Foreigners have 
occasionally been kidnapped, and in one incident, the foreign kidnap 
victim was killed in a subsequent gunfight between police and 
bandits.  The Pakistan government has recommended that travelers 
limit their movements in Sindh Province to the city of Karachi.  If 
visitors must go into the interior of Sindh Province, the Pakistan 
government requests that travelers inform police authorities well in 
advance of the trip so that necessary police security arrangements 
can be made.

Medical Facilities:  Adequate medical care is available in major 
cities in Pakistan, but may be limited in rural areas.  U.S. medical 
insurance is not always valid outside the United States.  Doctors 
and hospitals often expect immediate payment in cash for treatment.  
Supplemental health insurance which specifically covers overseas 
treatment has proved to be useful.  Additional information on health 
problems can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's 
international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559.

Information on Crime:  In Karachi, armed robberies are common, and 
drivers resisting the theft of their motor vehicles are often shot.  
In addition, petty crime, especially theft of personal property, is 
common throughout Pakistan.  The Department of State pamphlet "A 
Safe Trip Abroad" contains information on safeguarding valuables and 
protection of personal security which may be of use.  It is 
available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in 
illegal drugs are strictly enforced.  Convicted offenders can expect 
jail sentences and fines.

Tips For Travelers:  The Department of State publication "Tips for 
Travelers to South Asia" contains general information on the area.  
It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. 
Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402. 

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in 
Islamabad or the Consulates General in Karachi, Lahore or Peshawar 
can obtain updated information on travel and security in Pakistan.

 No. 93-008