Pakistan registers slight improvement in revised US travel advisory

• Ease in restrictions followed by NSA Moeed Yusuf's visit to the US.
• Travel advisory still recommends US nationals "reconsider" travelling to Pakistan, but notes improvement in security since 2014.
• Urges US citizens in Pakistan to remain aware of their surroundings and local events.

The travel advisory for Pakistan has been revised by the US State Department, moving the country up a notch, from level four to three.

Though the latest travel advisory still recommends US nationals "reconsider travel" to Pakistan, it notes that the security situation is better than that in 2014. 

“Pakistan’s security environment has improved since 2014 when Pakistani security forces undertook concerted counter terrorist and counter militant operations. 

"There are greater security resources and infrastructure in the major cities, particularly Islamabad, and security forces in these areas may be more readily able to respond to an emergency compared to other areas of the country. While threats still exist, terrorist attacks are rare in Islamabad,” reads the advisory.

Restrictions for 'high-risk areas' still in place

The advisory warns of security threats persisting in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

“Terrorist attacks continue to happen across Pakistan, with most occurring in Balochistan and KPK, including the former FATA. Large-scale terrorist attacks have resulted in numerous casualties,” reads the advisory.

It also cautions against travelling to areas near the Line of Control.

Moreover, says that the US government has limited ability to provide US citizens in Pakistan with emergency services due to the security environment and travel by US government personnel within Pakistan is restricted.

"Travel by US government personnel within Pakistan is restricted, and additional restrictions on movements by US government personnel outside of US diplomatic facilities may occur at any time, depending on local circumstances and security conditions, which can change suddenly," reads the advisory.

It adds that the US Consulate General in Peshawar doesn’t provide any consular services to US citizens.

The advisory urges the citizens to remain aware of their surroundings and local events within Pakistan in addition to following further instructions given on the US State Department’s official website.

The aforementioned ease in restrictions is followed by Pakistan's National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf's 10 day visit to the US, where the NSA discussed peace and security situation in Pakistan and the region.

Caution against COVID-19

Apart from reminding its citizens about security concerns, the State Department has also conveyed caution regarding the COVID-19 situation in Pakistan, stating that "some areas have increased risk".

According to the travel advisory, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for Pakistan that indicates a moderate level of coronavirus outbreak in the country.

“Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC's specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers,” the advisory states.