The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advisory for Pakistan, warning British citizens to exercise extreme caution due to security risks, including a recent explosion in Islamabad.
According to the advisory, staff at the British High Commission in Islamabad have been instructed to limit movement, highlighting the heightened security environment in the capital. The FCDO cautions that travel insurance may be invalidated if citizens travel against official advice.
The FCDO advises against all travel to the following areas due to security concerns:
No travel within 5 miles of the international border between Pakistan and India, except the Grand Trunk Highway via the Wagah border, which is currently closed.
Avoid all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control.
Full travel ban in districts including Bajaur, Bannu, Buner, Charsadda, Dera Ismail Khan, Hangu, Karak, Khyber, Kohat, Kurram, Lakki Marwat, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Mohmand, Orakzai, Peshawar, Swat, Tank, North Waziristan, Upper and Lower South Waziristan.
Specific highways such as the Karakoram Highway (Mansehra to Chilas) and N45 Highway (Mardan to Chitral) are included.
Travel to the entire province is advised against.
Avoid all non-essential travel to areas north of and including Nawabshah.
All travel within 10 miles of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border is strongly discouraged.
The FCDO warns that in the event of a severe crisis, travel and evacuation options may be severely limited. British nationals are advised to: