ISLAMABAD: The US joined the British High Commission in Islamabad to advise its citizens against all but essential travel to Gilgit Baltistan due to recent demonstrations and protests in the region.
“American citizens should exercise heightened caution in Gilgit-Baltistan due to recent protests in Skardu and Diamer and the potential for additional demonstrations, road closures, and associated disruptions to local mobile and internet networks in the region,” said the US embassy.
Even large gatherings intended to be peaceful may become violent with little or no warning, it added.“The US Embassy strongly encourages U.S. citizens to avoid large gatherings, monitor local media reports, and to remain vigilant of their surroundings at all times.”
Arandu town in Lower Chitral, the road between Mirkhani and Arandu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the southern coast of Balochistan, Gwadar and Nawabshah city of Sindh are among the areas the High Commission says should be avoided by the UK nationals
The UK government also issued a separate and broader advisory against all travel to several districts in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The districts include Baujar, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, North Waziristan and South Waziristan, Charsadda, Kohat, Tank, Bannu, Lakki, Dera Ismail Khan, Swat, Buner and Lower Dir and Peshawar.
A day earlier, the High Commission of Canada in Pakistan updated its travel advisory for Canadian nationals in Pakistan.It advised its citizens to avoid all travel to the Gilgi-Baltistan region due to what it claimed were “violent protests.”
Similarly, Canadian nationals were advised to avoid non-essential travel to Karachi due to violence and the risk of terrorism.
Earlier, American citizens should exercise heightened caution in Gilgit-Baltistan due to recent protests in Skardu and Diamer and the potential for additional demonstrations, road closures, and associated disruptions to local mobile and internet networks in the region. Even large gatherings intended to be peaceful may become violent with little or no warning.
The U.S. Embassy strongly encourages U.S. citizens to avoid large gatherings, monitor local media reports, and to remain vigilant of their surroundings at all times.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom (UK) has issued a new travel advisory for Pakistan amid multiple PIA flights cancelled to and from Gilgit and Skardu.
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) recently cancelled multiple flights to and from Gilgit and Skardu. “There are no other carriers available. With road routes likely to be restricted by seasonal weather, options to leave may become limited,” a statement said.
The cancellation of flights is compounded by seasonal weather restrictions, with the Babusar Pass susceptible to closure due to heavy snowfall, potentially hampering road travel in the region.The UK Foreign Office said travellers in the affected areas are advised to consult their airline and travel agent for guidance on alternative travel arrangements.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides travel advisories, advising against all travel to several districts and regions in Pakistan due to security concerns.
