ISLAMABAD: The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Friday warned British nationals to avoid travel within 10 miles of the Pak-Afghan border due to growing security concerns.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan, the FCDO warned through an advisory against all travel to Bajaur, Bannu, Buner, Charsadda, Dera Ismail Khan, Hangu, Karak, Khyber, Kohat, Kurram, Lakki Marwat, Upper and Lower Dir, Mohmand, Orakzai, Peshawar (including the city of Peshawar), Swat, Tank, North Waziristan, and Upper and Lower South Waziristan.
Travel is also advised against along the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas via Battagram, Besham city, Dasu and Sazin up to the junction with the N15 highway, as well as along the N45 highway from the north of the Mardan Ring Road to the edge of Chitral city, including Kalash Valley.
The FCDO emphasised that travel to Malakand, Mardan, Nowshera, Shangla and Swabi in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should be limited to essential reasons only.
It advised British citizens against travelling to Balochistan province, which also borders Afghanistan.
Similarly, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said: “We advise: Reconsider your need to travel to Pakistan overall due to the volatile security situation and threat of terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and the risk of civil unrest. Higher levels apply in some areas.”
It warned that military action between Pakistan and Afghanistan along shared border areas could affect the broader security environment across Pakistan.
“Reprisal terrorist attacks could occur randomly and without warning across Pakistan in retribution for recent Pakistan defence force strikes on Kabul, Kandahar and other sites in Afghanistan. Nationwide disruptions, including movement restrictions, road and transport disruptions, and increased security operations particularly around mosques and checkpoints may occur at short notice.”
The DFAT said Pakistan’s security situation remained unpredictable, with terrorist groups hostile to foreign interests active in the country.
It warned of a “very high” risk of terrorist attacks and kidnapping, noting that foreigners may be specifically targeted.
According to it, reports suggest potential terrorist threats in Islamabad and other major cities, including locations frequented by foreigners such as major hotels, hospitals, transport infrastructure, including trains and airports, and places of worship.
“The overall kidnapping risk in Pakistan is high. Pakistani Australian dual nationals are particularly at risk, so they should avoid large groups of people, demonstrations and protests, as they can turn violent quickly. Check local media and follow the instructions of local authorities,” it said.
The Australian department warned against travel to the Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, excluding Chitral, Abbottabad and Haripur, due to poor security and a high risk of kidnapping, and advised avoiding border areas with Afghanistan and India, except Lahore, Wagah, Kasur, Narowal and Sialkot, due to the volatile security situation.
