Denmark, UK issue advisory against travelling to Pakistan

Denmark has issued a travel advisory cautioning its citizens to travel Pakistan only if they have special reasons to visit as the country is unsafe and prone to terrorist attacks. “There is a risk of terrorist attacks, kidnappings and violent disturbances throughout the country. Risks are so serious that you should have very special reasons to visit the country,” said the Danish foreign ministry. “There is a high risk of terrorist attacks, kidnappings and violent disturbances throughout the country. Risks are so serious that you should have very special reasons to visit the country,” said the ministry.

You should be very careful when travelling in Pakistan. We discourage all unnecessary trips to the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. Visit only Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi if you use reputable and well-established, local tour operators. We discourage all unnecessary travel to Islamabad and to Gilgit-Baltistan. Due to the very high security risk, we deny all travel in the provinces of Baluchistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), including traffic on the Karakoram road from Islamabad to Gilgit-Baltistan. Due to the very high security risk, we deny all travel in the provinces of Baluchistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), including traffic on the Karakoram road from Islamabad to Gilgit-Baltistan,” said the advisory.

The same applies to all trips in Pakistani controlled Kashmir and in the tribal territories against the Federal Federated Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

There have been a number of serious terrorist attacks in recent years. They have focused in particular on non-Western targets, not least against police and military, but also against, for example. schools and religious places. Terrorist attacks are taking place in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), in the tribulations against the border with Afghanistan (FATA) and in Balochistan.

According to the authorities, they have averted a number of planned terrorist attacks. For tourist attractions, the authorities have made a special effort to increase safety. Attacks could take place against security authorities, religious gatherings and places visited by westerners. Western targets, especially with American interests, are exposed to an increased risk.

You should be careful in places where there are many people. For example, be in public buildings, tourist attractions, shopping malls, markets, traffic hubs, hotels, restaurants and cafes, reads the advisory.