During the Islamic religious observances of Ramadan and Moharram, sectarian rivalry and violence often increase. Northern Areas - Visitors wishing to trek in Gilgit, Hunza, Chitral and the upper Swat valley should use only licensed guides and tourist agencies. There have been occasional assaults and in 1998, a U.S. tourist who was not accompanied by a guide was murdered in Gilgit. At the present time, the U.S. Embassy urges that private Americans also defer planned travel through or to the same areas, even if traveling overland to the Khyber Pass. Substantial areas within the Northwest Frontier Province are designated tribal areas and are outside the normal jurisdiction of government law enforcement authorities.
Visitors risk being caught in armed clashes between feudal tribal factions or smugglers.
Carjackings and the abduction of foreigners are occasionally reported from the tribal areas. If visitors must enter the tribal areas, a permit from the Home and Tribal Affairs Department is required. The permit may stipulate that an armed escort must accompany the visitor. However, the monthly steam train excursion for tourists through the Khyber Pass is well protected by local authorities. Punjab Province - Sectarian violence decreased considerably during the first half of 1999, from the high 1998 levels of violence, which resulted in dozens of deaths.